Why is Respite important?
Fostering can be challenging for Foster Parents and children alike, particularly if a young person has additional or educational needs or has suffered any level of trauma. By taking a breather with a Respite Carer, the children and their Foster Parents can all take a break and recharge their batteries.
By using the same local family to offer regular, planned Respite care, By the Bridge Respite reduces disruption to the families and increases the feeling of truly being a holiday for the child or young person. Children enjoy a new environment and revisit friends – and have FUN; Foster Parents are able to take a break to rest and recharge too.
What does Respite Fostering look like?
Respite Foster Care can be as short as a weekend or as long as a fortnight; and can be sporadic and adhoc or a regular routine for the child.
As a Respite Foster Parent, you can plan your commitment to Fostering – long-term Fostering is not for everyone so some Carers decide to offer Respite (or Emergency Fostering) instead or as an introduction to Fostering, to gain experience. Respite Fostering allows commitment to shorter, less regular periods of Fostering, with more frequent, longer breaks between placements. This does mean that you can still Foster even if your work or your family commitments make it difficult to Foster full time initially.
Respite Foster Parents MUST have a spare bedroom at home (and a flexible job if you wish to continue to work while Fostering) and a genuine commitment to help children.
As a Foster Parent offering Respite, you are entitled to all our Foster Parents Benefits and Therapeutic Fostering Training; as well as generous allowances and tax benefits.
If you think offering Respite Foster Care could be for you, Contact Us to find out more.
