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Shared Care Network is the only organisation dedicated to promoting family-based short breaks for disabled children and young people in the UK.
 Short breaks (regular breaks from caring) are the support service most frequently requested by the parents of disabled children. However our latest national survey (published in March 2007) revealed that, while 10,500 disabled children are currently enjoying short breaks, another third (3,500) are currently waiting for a short break carer and we estimate at least 10,000 could benefit if enough carers can be recruited.
Short breaks provide invaluable support for disabled children and their families. They offer opportunities for children to become more independent, widen their horizons and have new experiences. It gives them the chance to form real friendships outside their family. At the same time their families get a break from caring and a chance to recharge their batteries.
Breaks take place in the homes of carefully selected and trained carers/families, in the child's own home or in community settings. We represent around 180 local schemes who link disabled children with people in the community providing regular short-term care. We have a regional structure and support 7 regional groups in England, 2 in Wales, 1 in Scotland and 1 in Northern Ireland.
Most children who use family-based short breaks have learning difficulties, but they may also have other disabilities such as physical disabilities, complex healthcare needs, autism or sensory impairments. Short breaks help to combat the isolation felt by disabled children, enabling them to meet new people and become part of a 'second family,' widening their social life and offering new experiences. Short breaks also give parents of disabled children a chance to spend quality time with their other children or do things which are difficult to do when caring for a disabled child.
Shared Care Network is also committed to:
- Promoting Good Practice
- Campaigning and Raising Awareness
- Conducting Research
- Running Conferences and Specialised Training
- Providing an advice and information service
- Producing Publications, resources and good practice guides
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You can read more about our current plans and activities on our BIG Breaks campaign page. Read about the BIG Breaks campaign
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 Shared Care Network is a registered charity. To make a donation to support our work please click link below. Thanks for your support.
Giving to Shared Care Network
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Disclaimer
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This website is provided and managed by Shared Care Network Registered Charity 1104216 and Limited Company Registered in England and Wales (Co No. 50833598). Shared Care Network endeavours to ensure the content of this website is accurate and up to date but does not accept any liability for error or omission. Shared Care Network fully complies with the Data Protection Act 1998. Shared Care Network does not accept liability for any inconvenience, loss or damage arising from the use or inability to use any of the information on this website. Shared Care Network takes no responsibility for the content of external websites and any such links should not be taken as an endorsement of any kind.
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