Providing short breaks part time

If you have some spare time and would enjoy building a warm relationship with a child and working with their parents, you could provide short breaks for children with disabilities. This is when you provide care for a child during the day, for a night or over a weekend.

The children who take short breaks have a range of disabilities, including learning disabilities, autism and challenging behaviours.

Who can provide short breaks?

You need to be over the age of 21, be a UK resident or have indefinite leave to stay, and have a spare bedroom. You'll need to undergo the same training as full-time foster carers, which takes about six months.

We ask that short breaks carers are particularly patient, empathetic and resilient. You should:

• be patient and imaginative
• be good at communicating and setting boundaries.
• have enough time to spare to provide regular short breaks, which may include daytime, overnight stays or weekends
• be willing to learn.

Support and training

There's a range of training and support available for short breaks carers. We make sure that you have all the resources and knowledge you need to look after children with disabilities.

The support package includes:

• an hourly rate or overnight payment
• support groups with other foster carers
• specialist training relating to each child you look after
• continuous support from a supervising social worker
• a professional team that carefully plans each placement. Matching children with the right foster carers is vital for successful short breaks.

What you can earn

As a part-time short breaks foster carer, you earn:

• £12.91 per hour, and
• £90 overnight rate

You receive your fee even when you do not have a child staying with you. This gives time to make sure you are matched with a suitable child.

Ask about providing short breaks part time