Short Breaks Scheme - parent's guide

 

Short Breaks are a way of giving support to families who have a disabled child living at home.

 

 

The Short Break Scheme aims to link disabled children and their families with carers who can provide regular short breaks. These breaks usually take place in the carer’s home and can be anything from a few hours a week to a weekend a month.

 

 

Carers come from various backgrounds and may be working, retired or unemployed, with or without children, single or with a partner. However, they all have one thing in common - they enjoy the company of children and are able to give some time to regularly look after a disabled child and give their family a break. Carers do not need special qualifications, as training and support will be provided.

 

There is a minimum age limit of 18 years and no upper age limit.

 

 

A social worker co-ordinates the scheme and is responsible for recruiting and preparing people who are interested in becoming short break carers. They also find out what help is needed by the family and then link them to a suitable short break carer locally.

 

 

The scheme social worker will talk to prospective carers and discuss their suitability. Moreover, a range of police, health and other checks are then undertaken before the carers can join the scheme. The social worker visits the applicants several times to ensure they are able to meet the needs of the disabled child. Then they present the application to the Fostering Panel. If approved, the short break carers are placed on a list of people who are available to help.

 

 

Carers are paid an allowance each time they provide care for the child.

 

 

The scheme social worker will discuss the child’s needs with the child, their family and their social worker. They will take into account accommodation, locality, ages of the carers’ own children, interests and transport.

This information enables the scheme social worker to link the carer to a child who will most benefit from the support they can offer. Introductions are arranged for the child, their family and the carers. If everyone is happy to continue, a short visit will be arranged to see how the child settles in with the carer. These visits are gradually extended.

 

 

The amount of time is agreed with parents and the child’s social worker, whilst taking into account what time the carer can provide. Once the link has been made, it is usual for the child, their parents and the carers to make their own arrangements in consultation with the scheme social worker.

 

 

Information about the carer and their family is shared with the disabled child and their family. In turn, information about the child and their family is shared with the carer. It is important that as much relevant information is shared as possible so that everyone has the opportunity to get to know each other.

 

Visits are arranged at the child’s pace to ensure they are happy and comfortable with all the arrangements.

 

If anyone feels that the match is not suitable, they are able to discuss this with either the child’s social worker or the scheme social worker and they can change their minds about the arrangements. The scheme social worker will then see if they can find an alternative carer.

 

 

Families using the scheme are charged an overnight rate only. Currently there is no charge for day care.

 

 

You should contact either your child’s social worker or the Disabled Children’s Team: 

 

Short Break Scheme
Disabled Children’s Team
Highwood Annexe

Fairwater Drive

Woodley
RG5 3RU

Telephone:  (0118) 974 6881 / 6890