Overnight short breaks are prearranged sleepovers for children with physical and/or learning disabilities at regular intervals.
We will carefully identify if you and the child will be a good match. After this, you will provide care during the day, overnight or over a weekend on a schedule to suit you, the child and their family. These arrangements generally continue for a number of years.
Above all, the child needs someone to have fun with and play. They may also need your help with building independence, developing their socialisation skills and personal care.
These stays build meaningful, long-term relationships, enrich both of your lives, and improve the wellbeing of the child, their parents and family.
Why become an overnight short breaks carer
As well as our normal benefits, overnight short breaks carers will:
Make a difference to a family in Herefordshire.
Receive a 100% Council Tax exemption.
Foster flexibly on a schedule that suits you.
Build fulfilling, long-term relationships that enrich your life.
Who can be an overnight short breaks carer
Over 21s of any background, relationship status, sexual orientation, working status, or faith can provide overnight short breaks. You just need:
- A desire to make a difference and develop as a foster carer
- A spare bedroom in stable accommodation
- No child-related convictions
- Some childcare experience
Overnight short breaks may also interest you if you have previously supported children with complex mental and physical health needs. Transferring your skills into this role might allow you to step back from full-time work.
If you are nurturing, and believe that you can provide the appropriate support to help a child with disabilities to succeed, this could be a very rewarding fostering role for you and your family to consider.
What it's like being an overnight short breaks carer
"It really brings a different perspective to your life. I find it to be good fun and a very rewarding way to spend weekends. […] Overnight short break fostering allows me to support a young person on a schedule that works for my life."
Find out more about the joys of overnight short break fostering by reading Julia's story
Fees
You could be paid £119 per night for providing overnight short breaks.