“Could you be a Family Links carer?”, is the question being asked by Foster for Solihull, the council’s dedicated fostering service. The new short breaks service has been launched to provide support to children with disabilities, along with their families.
Family Links carers will provide regular support and breaks for children aged 0 – 18 years, which are designed to give disabled children enriching experiences while offering their families a break from caregiving responsibilities. A key benefit for the family is the chance to recharge their batteries, in the knowledge that their child is being well cared for.
Family Links caring can be up to 24 hours in duration, or two nights including weekends, midweeks and school holidays. Aims of these placements are a fun stay, new experiences and environments for the child, with an emphasis on working towards agreed positive objectives to benefit the child and their family.
The role of a foster carer for this type of placement is similar to fostering other children and teenagers, although for shorter periods of time. Foster for Solihull would like to hear from potential carers who are experienced in supporting children, this may be in a voluntary, professional or personal capacity. In addition, being able to commit to a minimum of two nights per month, plus extra in the school holidays and have a spare room and safe home environment, as well as some knowledge or experience of disability.
Councillor Karen Grinsell, Leader of Solihull Council and Cabinet Member for Children & Education, said: “Our Family Links service aims to provide crucial respite on a regular basis, which will benefit both disabled children and their families. We are committed to providing this new fostering service as an invaluable helping hand to families, in addition to the many other existing types of fostering that support children, borough wide. If you have experience of disabilities, enjoy spending time with children and have some time every month where you could support a child, you could make a real difference to the lives of families with disabled children in Solihull.”
Find out more, Family Links foster caring or have a chat with our experienced and friendly team of social workers about Family Links.