Respite care helps families stay together by giving children a break from a tough home life. It can stop families from breaking up or children going into foster care.
Shared care is like respite care but for children with disabilities. Approved carers look after them for short periods of time, from a few hours to a weekend each month.
For more details about respite or shared care for children, call Portsmouth City Council on 023 9283 9111, or Beechside respite care unit on 023 9264 2291.
Shared care gives children and young people with disabilities short breaks. Approved carers look after them for a few hours or a weekend each month.
Children using shared care might have physical disabilities, learning difficulties, or sensory impairments. This service helps them make new friends and try new things away from home with caring adults.
Families get this service after an assessment of the child’s needs. Shared carers get full training and a small allowance to cover costs.
Respite care is day care for children in a different family home. It can be for a few hours, after school, or over a weekend. Sometimes, carers might look after children overnight or for longer, but no more than four weeks.
Respite care is planned but can be arranged quickly in emergencies. It gives children regular breaks with the same carer.
Respite care is offered when there is a family crisis, like illness or parents struggling with the child’s behaviour. It helps keep children in their own homes and families together.
Children are asked about their needs and services. Social services make a care plan for each child and visit them regularly. Respite care is part of a coordinated approach to meet the child’s needs.
All children in the respite carer scheme have experienced changes in their lives. They have been taken out of their own family, even if just for a short time. This might have made them feel upset or worried because of a family crisis. Children in respite care might also have had to move to live with relatives or other carers. There are many reasons why a child might need gentle and caring support.
Respite carers provide families and children with regular breaks. Carers agree on their level of commitment based on their availability and family needs. Some carers prefer working with one or two children, while others enjoy working with more.
Children react differently to a new home. Some may be aggressive and uneasy. Others may at first be over-polite and willing to please. Some children may act withdrawn. Respite carers work closely with families and social services to help parents overcome the problems they experience.
Respite carers are trained to support children and families.
All respite carers:
From a child’s point of view, a respite carer will:
Becoming a respite carer requires:
You would not be considered suitable if:
First, someone will visit your home to talk about the respite scheme.
If you agree to continue, we will ask for your permission to do some checks. These checks include police, probation, health visitor (if needed), and two referees. You will also need to see your doctor for a medical check-up, which Social Services will pay for. We will inspect your home and garden for health and safety.
If the checks and references are good, you will be invited to training sessions. We will also do a family assessment during several visits to your home.
Finally, the council’s social services panel must approve you as a Portsmouth City Council respite carer.
