Respite carers offer children and young people short stays in their homes, usually on a planned basis.
Respite carers will offer existing short term and long term carer’s regular breaks on a planned and occasionally emergency basis.
Respite carers may also offer planned breaks to children still living at home but where there are difficulties and offering respite is part of the child care plan to prevent the child from being accommodated.
Respite carers must be over 21, but can be single, married, widowed, divorced or cohabiting in a stable relationship. You may or may not be in employment, but if working you need to have sufficient time and flexibility to meet the needs of a child. Children coming into care show their distress in a variety of ways and to be effective in helping them you need to have patience, understanding and resourcefulness.
Respite carers may either own or rent their homes. They may live in a flat or a house. It is preferable for the child you foster to have a room of their own though younger children may share where appropriate.
