Respite Fostering
Sometimes parents or carers need a short break from looking after a child or young person. There may have been extraordinary difficulties at home or a parent may have been ill or have mental health problems and need some time to recover. These children need a family who can look after them during a short period away from home. In some cases the child and their family need regular short breaks to help them manage the difficulties at home. Respite carers also provide breaks for children placed with other foster carers.
Children in respite care need reassurance and understanding to help them cope with the changes in their family life. This time may well be stressful for them as they may be concerned for a parent’s health, or angry at having to leave their usual foster family. All children may need to know they will be staying only for short period and then going home.
Respite carers are also needed for children with physical or learning disabilities. Sometimes families caring for a disabled child need a break to help them cope with the particular pressures involved or to recharge their batteries. Respite carers for these children need to be able to offer regular short breaks and to work closely with the child’s own family. Some of the children will need a lot of physical care, for example feeding, bathing, dressing and help with walking. Some may have challenging behaviour which can be difficult to manage. Carers do not need specialist qualifications but they do need to be patient, have a caring approach, commitment, a sense of humour, to enjoy a challenge and have a positive view of disability. Carers need to remember that the family is the main carer and that they all work together. Carers providing respite to children with disabilities will be linked with one or more specific children and families depending on the time they have available.