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Short breaks carers - south west

We’re looking for people who can provide overnight care for children with a disability.

Contact us

If you're a caring individual who wants to support children and young people with a disability from 0 to 18 and live in the south west of England, please get in touch.

Caring for children or young people with a disability is an incredible thing to do. As a short breaks carer, you will provide a safe and fun environment for a child or young person with a disability in your own home.

Why become a short breaks carer?

Short breaks for Action for Children has been the most incredible journey

Mark, a short breaks recipient

What is a short break?

Short breaks provides short stays for disabled children in the home of a carer. Each short stay lasts at least for 24 hours, often two nights. These can be weekends, midweeks, and school holidays.

Short breaks carers offer children with disabilities a safe, meaningful, and enjoyable experience with another family. They also help families get a much-needed break and parents benefit by knowing their child is safe and cared for during this time.

Our aim is to provide the children with enjoyment, safety, and fulfilment during their short breaks away from their own home. As well as having fun, our objectives are to support the children to manage their own self-care and danger awareness, promote independence, build new relationships, experience a different household, and access facilities in the local community.

Mother and disabled child

Who are the children that need short breaks?

The children our carers support are between 0-18 years of age and have a range of different types of disability. Some children have learning disabilities and some children are neurodiverse – they may have an autism diagnosis.

They may have communication difficulties or needs affecting the senses. Some have attachment, trauma, or associated emotional needs. Some may have more medical needs such as epilepsy, colostomy, gastrostomy. Other types of disability include global development delay and Down syndrome.

Who we're looking for

Some carers will do this as a full-time role. Others will do smaller chunks of short breaks when they are not at work.

As a short breaks carer, you will need to:

  • Have a spare room.
  • Be over 21 years of age.

Ideally we would like people to have some kind of previous experience with supporting children or adults with a disability, either in a work or personal capacity. However, we have excellent training available.

If you’re a caring, energetic person with a passion for supporting disability and open to learning new skills then we want to hear from you!

Support and training

We’re here to train and support you. As a short breaks carer, you will receive:

  • Excellent training in managing children’s disabilities and health needs.
  • A fee of £110 per night and mileage allowance.
  • 24 hour support - carers have their own social worker who they'll work with closely to put a support plan in place.
  • You’ll also have support from the whole short breaks team, which includes an experienced Paediatric Nurse, Child & Family Practitioner, and a Transitions Worker.
  • Access to Changing Minds UK Psychology service. Carers can access sessions with a clinical psychologist to better understand a child’s needs and behaviours and receive advice about different approaches.
  • Support groups - carers are invited to three or four support groups per year – this gives the carers the opportunity to meet with other short breaks carers.
  • Events - we arrange events throughout the year for children and carers. This gives the children and carers the opportunity to mix and have fun with other children and families.
Teenage boy with disabilities laughing
Speak to the team

Interested in becoming a Short Breaks' carer in the south west of England?

Get in touch

We urgently need short breaks carers in the following areas:

Devon

Torbay, Exeter, Barnstable, Tiverton, Newton Abbot, Tiverton, Exmouth, Ivybridge, Bideford, and Honiton.

Somerset

If you live in Somerset and are interested in becoming a short breaks carer then we want to hear from you. We urgently need short breaks carers across Somerset.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. You will receive £110 per 24 hour period.

Our teams are made up of qualified and experienced personnel including a social worker, paediatric nurse, children and family practitioner, transition worker, and admin support.

We ask you to commit to at least one weekend a month. If you have the time to commit more, even better.

You don’t need any experience; we can offer training and support so that you feel skilled to care for children with a disability.

  • Excellent training in managing children’s disabilities and health needs.
  • 24-hour support.
  • Access to Changing Minds UK psychology service.
  • Support groups.
  • Children and carers events.

The children our carers support are between 0-18 years of age and have a range of different types of disability. Some have learning disabilities such as autism or other neurodiversity issues.

They may have communication difficulties or needs affecting the senses. Some have attachment, trauma, or associated emotional needs. Some may have more medical needs such as epilepsy, colostomy, gastrostomy. Other types of disability include Global development delay and Down's syndrome.

All short breaks carer receive in-depth training in a variety of areas and further opportunities to enhance their professional development.

These include: Skills to Foster course, Fire Awareness, Health & Safety Essentials, Safeguarding Foundation, Equality & Diversity, Data protection and Information Security – Online Knowbe4 training, Paediatric First Aid, Safeguarding, Behaviour Support, Safer Caring, Recording Training, Medication Administration and Management. Autism, Neurodiversity, Epilepsy, Child development and supporting a child with a disability are also available.

Service details

Service Name:

Short Breaks

Service Type:

Disability, Fostering, Early Years and Family Support

Phone:

01392 360865

Email:

[email protected]

Address:

8 Powderham House, Park 5, Harrier Way, Sowton, Exeter, Devon, EX2 7HU

Download
Download our short breaks information pack
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Download our Statement of Purpose