More Information
Who are the Children?
Most of the children who use the Family Link scheme will have a learning disability, some will also have physical disabilities, and some will have complex health care needs. This means that some may need particular help with moving, or eating and drinking, or with changing and daily bathing. Others may need help managing their behaviour or communicating.
Who are the carers?
Family Link carers can be families with young or older children, single people, couples in partnerships, with or without direct experience of disability. Essentially, our carers are people who can devote time, energy, patience and commitment to providing regular short breaks.
How do I become a carer?
All our overnight carers are approved by a panel under fostering regulations, while our daycare only carers are approved by a senior manager.
Before being approved all potential carers need to attend a preparation course, and then an assessment process which includes a number of statutory checks.
What else should I know?
As a Family Link Carer you would be offered regular support and supervision and you would have an ongoing training program. If there is any specific training necessary in order to look after a child (e.g. health care needs), we will ensure that you have this training before caring for the child.
Depending on the amount of time you can devote, you may be linked to more than one child who may visit you together or at different times depending on their individual needs.