Working in Respite Care for Children

Respite care is care that is provided to those families who have sick or disabled children and who care for them around the clock. Respite care gives the parents or family carers the opportunity to rest and enjoy a change of scenery for a short time while trained support staff assist with the day to day looking after of their children be it in their own home or in specially equipped respite homes.

This respite care can range from one evening a week to one weekend in a calendar month and allow the parents or family carers to relax and enjoy some time alone whilst a trained carer spends time with their child or children.

There are many schemes of this nature running up and down the United Kingdom but as with all charitable organisations and schemes more funding and volunteering is needed to ensure that more families see the benefit of this scheme.

Short Break Schemes

These so-called Short Break Schemes allow registered and trained carers to be paired up with disabled children in order to allow the family free time or flexible hours in order to do things for themselves. In some instances - as we have already mentioned - the children can go and stay in a specially equipped unit where they can enjoy many activities they might not be able to participate in at home. Likewise this gives them the opportunity to interact with other disabled children and to enjoy a certain amount of independence.

The majority of those children who benefit from these schemes tend to have learning difficulties but can also have physical disabilities, very particular medical requirements or may even be terminally ill: whatever the nature of their condition there will be caring staff on hand to offer support and friendly interaction throughout their stay.

Can I Become a Respite carer?

Anyone can become a respite carer; respite carers come from all walks of life, all age groups and all religions. No one is excluded from the opportunity to become a respite carer.

Respite carers - upon acceptance - are trained to the necessary level and - as with all positions involving children, are required by law to undertake the provision of a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check. This check is designed to screen those candidates who wish to apply and make the process as quick and secure as possible.

A respite carer may be required to spend one day a week with a child, one week night a week or one weekend per month depending on the nature of the respite care required. In addition they will be required by law to undergo ongoing training and are at all times provided with support from a 'mentor'.

As we have already mentioned respite carers may be called upon to provide care for children with learning difficulties, physical disabilities or specific medical requirements but there are carers available who have training in all of these areas and some of them are already fully qualified and give their time freely.

Many carers it must be said - initially come to these respite projects with no formal training - and do so out of a desire to provide help and support to others living and coping with difficult circumstances. However as they progress they are given recognised training and guidance and often become almost part of the family.