Care and support

Shared care sitting service

What is the shared care sitting service?

Many families who have a child with a disability need an occasional break from caring for their child.

A shared carer from the sitting service can offer this break by coming to look after your child in your home for a few hours, to give you the chance to have a break, spend time with your other children, or even go out and do some shopping.

The shared carer will come to your home to look after and play with your child for a few hours. They can be left on their own to look after your child, or be an extra pair of hands to help with child care. If you wish they could take your child out, to an activity or the park for example, or provide support for you on a family outing.

Your child will benefit from the service by making new friends and enjoying new experiences.

Who are the sitters?

Shared care sitters are trained volunteers who have been rigorously assessed and checked to prepare them for caring for a disabled child. Often they have had some previous experience or contact with disabled children and all feel able to offer a few hours a week to help look after a child.

How can my child receive the service?

If your child has a disability and you think he or she would benefit from the service, contact the HCC customer service centre on 01438 737 500 and ask for an assessment of need for your child. Tell them you are interested in the shared care sitting service.

You will receive a visit from a social worker or professional assistant who will decide with you if the service will be of benefit to you and your child and if you would like to apply for it. With your help they will complete an assessment report which will outline what support you can be offered. If the shared care sitting service is identified as being suitable for your child, a referral will be made to the shared care team.

What happens next?

After receiving the referral, the shared care team will contact you to get more information about your child and what their needs are.

Your child’s needs will then be carefully matched with the skills and abilities of a carer. The matching and introductions are undertaken carefully and at the pace of your child, ensuring that the placements flourish successfully.

Becoming a shared care sitter

If you feel you could spare a little time each month to help look after a child with a disabilty in your community, call the shared care team on 01442 453 080 to find out more about shared care and the sitting service.