The short breaks service offers placements for children and young people who may have special needs, disabilities, and/or behavioural difficulties. Children may have day support placements a couple of times a week and/or an overnight placement with a maximum stay of 24 hours.
Short breaks placements are part of a planned support package. They're used to allow children and young people a safe place to have breathing space. Typically, short breaks are implemented alongside other resources and interventions that are put in place to address the issues at home and prevent family breakdown.
Short Breaks fostering
Marina's story
What you can offer
Short breaks carers offer support to children and young people up to the age of 18 who are still living at home with their families and are experiencing a period of difficulty.
Short breaks carers provide planned, regular placements that are usually once a week. They offer a combination of overnight and/or daytime support.
To provide overnight placements you'll need to have a spare room on the night the child or young person is staying with you.
Placements are arranged to meet the needs of the child or young person. Depending on your experience and speciality, you'll be matched with a child or young person to provide the support that they need.
Support and training
Short breaks foster carers receive the same support and training offered to all foster carers.
Payments and allowances
Payments and allowances for short breaks foster carers include:
- an hourly rate
- overnight payments
- car mileage
- payment for travel time
Contact us
For more information about the short breaks service or becoming a short breaks carer, contact the fostering team.