Respite care can be used for the benefit of children and their families.  Families can be offered respite where there has been a family crisis or problem for which they need some support or assistance. This includes a family illness, the parents finding the child's behaviour very difficult to handle or the parent is not coping.  Respite care offers a break or a series of breaks that could act to prevent a family breakdown or the child being placed in foster care, or from a difficult family environment or a problem for which the child needs some support or help.

The true value of the respite care is that it seeks to maintain a child in their own home and helps to keep families together.  

Shared care is a similar service linking children and young people with disabilities to approved carers who look after them for short periods of time. This can be from a few hours to a weekend a month.

When your child has special needs, handing over responsibility can be a real challenge.   You might feel as if you are the only person who can do the job, and doubt that anyone else could meet all of your child's needs.  But remember, you're not superhuman.  There's only so much you can give before you will feel mentally, emotionally, and physically drained.

That's why it's a necessity — not a luxury — to take breaks from time to time.  When you take time off to recharge, you'll be able to give more and enjoy doing it.   And your child will benefit as well. Kids learn that they can count on others for help. They can form new friendships, experience new environments or people, and have fun.

So, once you're ready to get help, how do you do it?

The types of respite care we can provide is: