As part of national Share the Care Week, the County Council's Children's Disability Short Break and Fostering Service wants to hear from people who can offer new experiences and friendships to children with disabilities.
The service, which is part of the County Council's wider Fostering Service, aims to link a disabled child and his or her family with an approved short-break foster carer.
To give people more information the team has organised two events at which members of the public can find out more about what it means to be a short-break foster carer.
The two events are on Thursday 26 March, at:
- Oakleaf Room, Uckfield Civic Centre, 12–2pm
- Chart Room, Sovereign Harbour Yacht Club, Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne, 6–8pm.
The County Council's Lead Member for Children and Families, Councillor Meg Stroude said: “Our short-break carers do a fantastic job providing families with a break and the child with fresh opportunities outside the family circle.
“The carers we are looking for can be men, women, single parents, couples, people from all ethnic backgrounds but they must have one thing in common: a genuine desire to share the care of a child with special needs. I hope that anyone who thinks they might be interested in helping out in this way will come along to one of the events to talk to the team.”
Councillor Stroude added that care can range from a few hours to overnight stays in the carer's home. The appropriate level of care is agreed between the carer, the service, the child and the family with sessions normally taking place at weekends, during school holidays or after school.
Short-break carers are required to undertake a foster carer assessment, and training and support are offered. They will be asked to provide references and enquiries will be made to the Criminal Records Bureau, health and local authorities. All carers are approved by the County Council's Fostering Panel.
The Short Break and Fostering Service is open to children with long-lasting and permanent disabilities up to the age of 19. That disability might be a learning disability, a physical disability, sensory or developmental difficulties or a diagnosed medical condition.
Councillor Stroude said: “It is certainly true that being a short break carer does mean commitment and energy but caring is a tremendously rewarding job which usually generates as much satisfaction for the carer as for the child and their family.”
Anyone who wants more information should contact the service:
Children's Disability Short Break and Fostering Service
37 Sorrel Drive
Langney
Eastbourne
East Sussex BN23 8BH
Phone: 01323 762024
Email: disabilityfostering@eastsussex.gov.uk
Reference:
2342
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East Sussex County Council