Respite Foster Care
Respite foster care is vital to the happiness of disabled children and full-time carers in Wakefield. Being a full-time carer, as you can imagine, can become tiring and many carers would struggle to get a break without our respite foster care.
It is one of a range of respite fostering services available to families caring for a disabled child in the Wakefield District. It links children to a carer who provides them with an enjoyable break in a safe, family-based environment. Respite foster care can last anything from a few hours to a few days.
Respite fostering- why is it needed?
Respite fostering offers vital support to full-time carers and the breaks provide children with new experiences, and allow families to take a well-earned rest from their responsibilities. Without respite foster care, full-time carers would miss out on that all-important 'me time' which helps them to stay positive and provide the best experience for children in their care.
Respite foster care offers financial and emotional support. We offer:
- Lots of training
- Support and supervision from a Connect Social Worker
- An allowance each time a child stays with you
- Help with essential equipment and alterations to your home
- Group support from other respite foster care professionals.
If you would like to find out more about respite fostering, call one of our friendly team on 01924 302105.
Lean On Me...
Respite fostering and fostering in general isn't all hard work as there are plenty of support groups and organised events to enjoy.
Here in Wakefield there is a real community spirit amongst the foster carers and there's always someone to turn to for advice and guidance.
There are support networks around the area where foster carers can share their experiences and just enjoy having a cup of coffee and a chat. Sue, who has been fostering in Wakefield for 22 years says: "Being a foster carer in Wakefield is great as there are support groups where all the foster carers get together and have a natter."
There are four monthly groups spread out through the Wakefield District in:
1. Pontefract
2. Wakefield
3. Airedale
4. South Elmsall
Different professionals such as education welfare officers, youth workers and health workers speak at the support groups and anyone who listens to these speakers can put it towards their portfolio as a form of training.
Wakefield foster carers can attend any of theses four groups, where they can gain valuable knowledge and share respite-fostering experiences, or just have a chat with other carers.
Foster Respite Care
Every foster respite carer is unique and it takes lots of different personalities to create a winning foster respite care team. There are, however, some pretty important qualities that you'll certainly need while providing foster respite:
- A good sense of humour.
- Lots of patience and a good set of listening ears always come in handy.
- The ability to deal with the challenges of looking after a child who has been in difficult circumstances
- Plenty of enthusiasm and room in your life and home to help.
Foster respite is a big commitment and it's important for you to consider how it will affect you and your family. Here is a quick list of issues you will need to think about:
- Foster respite will involve the whole family so it's a good idea to talk to your loved ones and get their thoughts and feelings.
- Will other adults and children in the household be happy to share their space and family with a child or young person?
