Respite fostering is where you provide a short period of care to children who live with other foster carers.
After careful planning to identify a good match, you could provide care during the day, overnight, for a weekend or longer if needed, on a schedule to suit you, the child and the foster family.
There is the opportunity to provide regular respite for the same child, or children, for a long period. Over time, you'll learn their likes and interests, and share new experiences together.
These breaks allow the child's foster carers to take a break and recharge. It also gives the child the opportunity to have new experiences and build good relationships with other adults.
You'll build meaningful, long-term relationships, enrich both of your lives, and support both the child and their foster carers.
Why become a respite foster carer
As well as our normal benefits, respite foster carers will:
Make a difference to a child and family in Herefordshire.
Foster flexibly on a schedule that suits you, the child and the foster family.
Receive a 100% Council Tax exemption.
Build fulfilling, long-term relationships that enrich your life.
Who can provide respite fostering
Over 21s of any background, relationship status, sexual orientation, working status, or faith can provide respite foster care. 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
Transferring your childcare skills into this very rewarding role might allow you to step back from full-time work.
What it's like being a respite foster carer
"Not only do we have the chance to make a difference to the children placed with us but each child enriches our own lives a little bit more."
Fees
You could be paid upwards of £100 with an additional £50 activities payment per weekend.