Frequently asked questions
1. Will I be paid?
2. Will I have to have a police check?
3. How much time will I need to commit?
4. Will you provide equipment?
5. Does it have to be a set day and time?
6. How long does the approval process take?
7. Do both partners need to be approved?
8. Does the child have to have their own bedroom if they are staying the night?
1. Will I be paid?
Short break carers are given an allowance to cover any cost they may incur while providing care. If you are in receipt of benefits, these will not be affected by the allowance. Sessional support workers are paid on a sessional rate for the care they provide. Befrienders/volunteers have their expenses paid.
2. Will I have to have a police check?
A number of checks are undertaken which will be explained to you if you wish to become a short break carer, sessional support worker or volunteer. One of these checks is called a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosure and this is in effect a police check, and is repeated every three years. For family link carers, all household members over the age of 16 years will need to have a CRB check.
3. How much time will I need to commit?
As much or as little as you feel able to. Family link/short break carers provide anything from a few hours, to overnight care, care at the weekends and during school holidays. Sessional support workers provide care from a few hours a month to a several hours per week. Volunteers give 2 - 4 hours per week.
4. Will you provide equipment?
We work closely with the occupational therapist who knows the child, their parents and social services to provide equipment to support the needs of the individual child and also to assist with health and safety issues.
5. Does it have to be a set day and time?
Short break care is designed to be as flexible as possible to fit in with your needs as a carer and the needs of the child and family.
6. How long does the approval process take?
The approval process usually takes between three and six months.
7. Do both partners need to be approved?
If you are applying to become a family link/short break carer and you are a couple then yes, both of you need to be assessed and approved as link foster carers. You will also both have to undertake the preparation training as well.
8. Does the child have to have their own bedroom if they are staying the night?
Yes. If specific equipment is required, Barnardo's staff will work with all involved to make sure everything is in place.
