Short break carers for disabled children

Do you have the time and energy to give care and support to a child with special needs? If the answer is yes then East Sussex County Council wants to hear from you.

As part of national Share the Care Week, the County Council's Children's Disability Short Break and Fostering Service wants to make contact with 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 March 26. The first is in the Oakleaf Room at Uckfield Civic Centre 12-2pm. The second is in the Chart Room at Sovereign Harbour Yacht Club, Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne from 6-8pm.

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.

Anyone who wants more information should contact the service on 01323 762024, email: [email protected] or can write to team at 37 Sorrel Drive, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN23 8BH.