Health, Well-being and Care

Who can become a Link Carer?

Link carers are ordinary people from a variety of backgrounds, with or without a partner, young or old, with or without children.

You do not need any special qualifications or experience of caring for someone with a disability - we’re not looking for experts – just committed, interested people who will be patient, understanding of the needs of a child with disabilities, and who could spend as little as 35 days a year caring.

As we provide care to many children who are wheelchair users we are particularly interested in hearing from people with wheelchair suitable properties for them.

The support you will receive

Support from link workers
From the time you make an enquiry about the scheme, you will be allocated your own link worker.

Your link worker will work closely with you, and will give you support, advice and guidance. They also play a role in deciding which child is placed with you.

Fees
Each time you care for a child or adult you are paid a fee. This is to cover any expenses which may arise from caring for a child.

Equipment
Some disabled people require special equipment to enable them to be cared for properly. If this is the case, the Shared Care team will try to provide anything you need.

Training
Before you start you will be invited to attend several preparation groups. Then after you are Registered you have the opportunity of attending further training.

You would of course in addition be given any specific training or information on any child or young person for whom you were offering care. Training is also provided in Urdu and Punjabi .

The process of becoming a Link Carer

After making your first enquiry about becoming a link carer to Shared Care, it takes about three months before you are approved and can have a child or adult placed with you. This is how it works:

• You make your first enquiry to Shared Care (Tel: 01274 434596).
• We will send you some information about the scheme.
• One of our link workers will contact you to arrange to visit you (usually within two weeks).
• They will visit you and tell you about the scheme and the process of becoming a carer. They will answer any questions you have, and will leave you a video about the scheme and an application form.
• After the visit it is up to you whether you want to pursue your application – no pressure is placed on you. You need to be absolutely certain that Shared Care is for you.
• If you decide to go ahead, you send us your completed application form.
• On your application form you will have given permission for Police, health and other checks to be taken.
• We will take up two references. The people you ask for a reference can be anyone you have known for a few years, such as a friend, colleague or employer.
• Once all the checks and references have been completed, one of our link workers will visit you a few times. This is to find out information about you, including your hobbies, interests, and why you want to become a link carer.
• We will invite you to attend several preparation groups, where you will meet others who are interested in becoming link carers. The preparation groups cover the sort of issues you may have to deal with as a link carer.
• A report is compiled by the Link Worker which goes to a Children’s Panel
• If you have been approved, we will contact you about a suitable child who could be placed with you.