Great opportunity to join our team of Foster Carers who offer short breaks to children and young people with additional needs and disabilities. North Lincolnshire Council are raising awareness of this inspirational scheme during Short Breaks+ awareness week starting Monday 6 November.
Short Breaks+ foster care provide support to parents and carers who care for a child with additional needs or disability by offering a short break in their own home. This may include day care, an overnight stay, or longer periods during school holidays.
The Council are looking to build on this team and are looking for caring people who would like to help children and their families to take on this flexible, part-time role. It is open to people from all walks of life, all ages and backgrounds – some of the current carers also work and some are full time parents.
The children and foster carers are carefully matched together, each with the hope it can become a regular arrangement, creating happy memories together, building relationships whilst also enabling parents and carers of the children to spend time with other family members.
A North Lincolnshire Short Breaks+ foster carer, said, “Short Breaks+ can be a real lifeline for the families of children with disabilities and additional needs who might sometimes be faced with a limited support network.
“It’s a very different type of fostering – you can really build a relationship with children’s families as well. It is incredibly fulfilling, and you are giving the extra support to keep that family together.
“I would absolutely encourage someone to foster as a Short Break for children with disabilities. It introduces you to fostering and the world it encompasses.”
Cllr Julie Reed, North Lincolnshire Council’s cabinet member for children and families, said, “The support offered via our outstanding Short Breaks+ foster carers is paramount, both for the children and their families.
“It enables the parents and carers to have a little break themselves whilst knowing your children are being well cared for – giving some time to recharge those batteries.
“Short breaks with families the children know and trust mean that our children and young people are aided to build further trusting relationships, create new friendships and enjoy new experiences – all in a safe and supportive environment, flourishing as they grow.
“If you do have a weekend a month and have some caring experience, please get in touch with the team and find out more about how you could start your fostering journey today.”
North Lincolnshire Council’s fostering team – who are finalists in The Social Worker of the Year Awards 2023 – are looking for more people to join their outstanding carers and become part of the fostering community.
Throughout the Short Breaks + week, events have been organised for people to meet and ask any questions to find out more about this type of fostering. The sessions are as follows:
• West Street Family Hub, Scunthorpe on Monday 6 November from 10am to 2pm
• The Ropewalk, Barton-upon-Humber on Wednesday 8 November from 10am to 2pm
• Online Fostering Information Evening on Wednesday 8 November from 6.30pm to 8pm – register to attend via Eventbrite and hear from a Short Breaks + foster carer.
Short Breaks + carers are offered the same level of support and training as that of a full-time foster carer, which includes:
• A nominated fostering social worker who will provide regular support and supervision
• Practical support and advice via support groups
• Comprehensive training to understand the role, caring for children and young people with disabilities on a wide range of subject.
By choosing to share a short break with a child people can make a huge difference in their own life and an even bigger difference to the life of the child and their family.
‘Any Of Us’ can foster so why not take the first step by enquiring today to find out more today and join the fostering family and community in North Lincolnshire.
To find out more about becoming a Short Breaks + foster carer, visit the North Lincolnshire Council website, email fostering@northlincs.gov.uk or call 01724 297024.
