If you are interested in becoming a short break carer then please go clikc here - Find a Scheme Near You where you can identify schemes in your area to contact for more information. Alternatively please ring Shared Care Network on 0117 941 5361 and we can arrange for a scheme to contact you direct.
Short break carers are ordinary people like you! They come from all ages and backgrounds, they may be retired, working, married, single or unemployed. They live in all kinds of homes and may or may not have children of their own. Some short break carers have experience of working with disabled children and some do not. What short break carers do have in common is they enjoy the company of children and are able to give some time on a regular basis to look after a disabled child.
Short break carers look after disabled children on a regular basis for short periods of time. This can be anything from a few hours a week to a few days a month. This gives the parents of the disabled child a rest from caring full time and helps the child make new friends, gain independence and widens their social circle. These are opportunities which are often unavailable to disabled children and young people.
Short break carers are all carefully checked and approved and have to attend a training preparation course. They are provided with ongoing training, support and an allowance.
'When we applied to be short break carers we were a bit worried because we didn't have any experience of disability. The preparation course with other carers taught us all about disability and gave us confidence.' (Short Break Carer)
To read about one short break carer's experiences - CLICK HERE .
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