Care and support

Shared care

Give a little time -make a big difference

The pressures of family life can be great for all of us and can be particularly intense for parents of children and young people who have a learning or physical disability. The children themselves may not have the opportunity to make friends very easily.

Shared care is a scheme which provides family based respite care for children and young people under 18 years, who have a learning and/or physical disability. The scheme recruits, trains and supports people who are willing to become shared carers and help the families of children with disabilities.

Shared carers are people from all walks of life who look after a child or young person with disabilities for short breaks on a regular basis. Visits can be anything from a few hours a week after school, to a day at the weekends or in the school holidays, to even a regular weekend stay, depending upon the needs of the child. They can look after them in their own home, the child's home, or take them out and about. It allows children to become more independent, visit new places and meet new friends, while their parents get a break from full time caring.