Caring for disabled children.
There are 2 different fostering roles for disabled children, depending on how much time and resource you are able to commit to.
As a short breaks carer, you would fulfil a part time fostering role offering alternative care to disabled children who live with their families.
As a more experienced short breaks contract carer you would fulfil a full time fostering role, caring for a number of disabled children for at least 200 nights of the year.
Short breaks care
As a short break foster carer for disabled children, you'll offer a short break to a disabled child on a regular basis. Most of the children will stay overnight in your home once every few weeks.
You would choose how many weekends you offer and for how many children. Carers usually choose to look after one child, once a month.
These children could have complex health needs or learning disabilities across the disability spectrum, from mild to severe.
These children are not in care, and usually the short break carer becomes part of the child's extended family.
Having regular short breaks means the children can gain new experiences and friends whilst their family can get some time for themselves.
You may build a relationship with a child or young person and their family over many years, and become part of the extended family.
To be a short break carer, you'd go through the same application process as other foster carers and get training, support and an allowance from us.
This might suit you if you can't offer full time foster care, but still want to make a difference to the life of a child and their family.
Short breaks contract carers
This is a full time role, for which you'll need to look after a few different children for a minimum of 200 nights a year.
You'll plan the children staying in the week and some weekends and will have a social worker to support you. You'll have the same children because you'll become part of the child's extended network. For example, you may have 4 children for 50 nights per year, making up your 200 nights.
You'll be caring for disabled children or young people with complex physical, behavioural or health care needs.
It would be an advantage if you already have experience of caring for a disabled child, but it's not essential. We'll give you full training and ongoing support if you decide this is the role for you.
Short break contract fostering for disabled children is a full time fostering role. It's one of our specialist schemes. We'll pay you a fee for periods when you have no placements.
If you decide to become a short break contract carer for disabled children, you'll get paid a fee on top of the age-based allowance all of our carers get.
You can find more information on our allowances and fees page.
