Information for Carers of Disabled Adults and Older People.
Family Placement offers carers of Adults with a physical or learning disability or carers of older people the opportunity to have a break from their caring responsibility. We aim to help in a variety of ways
- Proving companionship and a change of scene
- By offering regular periods of care
- By giving carers the opportunity to take a holiday
- In crises and emergencies
- Providing opportunities to acquire new interests or skills
- By encouraging greater independence
- For convalescence
What is a Short Break?
A ‘Short break’ is short term care provided in a flexible way suited to your needs in the home of one of our approved carers. There is a charge for this service. A short break may be one or all of the following:
- Overnight
- A weekend or part of a week
- A week or two weeks
- Longer periods
Short break care can not provide a service to individuals who need care during the night. Carers cannot care for any person who has been assessed as needing help from more than one person.
Who can use the service?
- Carers in need of a break or urgent help
- People with dementia
- People with physical disabilities
- People with learning disabilities
- Older people
- Older people or people with disabilities who live alone.
Who are the Family Placement Carers?
Our carers come from a wide variety of backgrounds and are trained, checked and approved before they can begin providing care to someone.
What you can expect?
People who use the short breaks scheme can expect the privacy of their own room which may be upstairs or downstairs. They may also have the opportunity to enjoy the company of their Family Placement carer and if they wish, may join in with their activities. Short breaks carers can offer support with personal care and offer supervision and guidance
How does the short break scheme work?
Referrals to Family Placement are received from a social worker or care manager. Once an appropriate match is made with a family placement carer the allocated worker will introduce the carer to you.
This initial meeting is an opportunity for you to meet the carer and decide whether or not you would like to go ahead and try out a stay with the Family Placement carer.
Only when all parties are happy to proceed will the placement go ahead. Any placements offered will depend upon the needs and circumstances of you and your carer.
Is there a charge?
Yes; the charges from April 2006 are:
- Age 18 - 24 £7.52
- Age 25 - 60 £9.31
- Age 61 and over £11.02 These charges will be updated in April 2009.