Where your time really does make a difference
In the Bradford district, many families live with a disabled family member.
Living with someone with a disability has many positive aspects, but can be tiring, lonely and demanding – their special needs may mean they require lots of care and attention.
The Shared Care scheme consists of a team of link carers who play an important part in the disabled person's life.
By offering to care for a disabled person, link carers give the families of disabled children and adults a much needed break and the chance to relax – even if it's only for a few hours at a time. They also give disabled children the opportunity to make new friends and enjoy new experiences.
Short Term Service for Children
Shared Care offers short term family placements to Children or Young People with a disability as an alternative to residential care.
Link Carers operate within the Fostering Regulations and payments are made to them to based on current fostering rates,those offering a sitting service are paid hourly.
Referrals to the Scheme are made via the Children’s Assessment Team. Currently there are 130 Children or Young People using the Scheme on a short term basis.
Short term breaks can be provided by offering a sitting service or a day or a few days a month in the Link Carers home. It depends what the Link Carer can offer.
What is expected of Link Carers?
Link carers offer a variety of short term placements to disabled children or Young People.
You choose whether you want to care during the daytime or overnight.
You choose whether you would like to care in your own home or in the Child's home. You can choose to spend as little as 35 days a year looking after a Child, or you can give more time if you prefer.
You discuss the age and disability issues with which you feel best able to manage and you will meet the disabled person and their family before they are placed with you.
What is it like to be a link carer?
Although at times being a link carer can be challenging it can also be very rewarding…
"We look after two disabled children and I would urge anyone to become a link carer: it is so rewarding. All you need is patience and understanding. We have a little girl who is able to speak, and when she thanked us for a lovely weekend and we saw her face beaming, it felt brilliant."
"We really want to help parents take a break from looking after their disabled children. These parents do a fantastic job on a permanent basis. They need breaks."
How to get in touch
Phone 01274 434596 and ask for the duty Social worker
