Shared Care

“The project is committed to the provision of high quality services (including shared care placements, sitting service and supported leisure) for children and young people.  These services will provide a range of flexible & appropriate respite to support families of children 0 -18 with a disability living throughout Caerphilly County Borough.  The necessary training and support services will be provided to maintain and develop these placements.”

The project is managed by a Project Co-ordinator on behalf of Action for Children.  The following 3 projects are a partnership arrangement between Caerphilly County Borough Council and Action for Children Cymru.  They provide the following services to children with disabilities living in the Caerphilly Borough.

• Family Link (Short term fostering) This can provide short breaks from a few hours up to 48 hours per month by linking disabled children with another family or carer.  These breaks are provided in the link family’s own home, 7 days per week, either during the day or for overnight stays.  Family Link offers much needed breaks for parents, the child and their siblings and new experiences for the child.  Training and support is given to all link carers, who are assessed and formally approved at Caerphilly Social Services Foster Panel.

• Home Sitting Service This service offers support to children with disabilities and their families in the child’s own home.  This may include “sitting” for siblings as well.  The service is provided 7 day per week between 10.00 am and 11.00 pm.  Sitters offer families up to 3 hours per fortnight.  The service allows parents time to themselves, either to relax or to carry out the tasks that they cannot do with their children.  Sitters receive ongoing training and support.  Family Link and Home Sitting services are provided for children with disabilities from birth to 18 years.

• Outreach Service This service supports children with disabilities to access local community facilities.  The main aim is integration and social skills for the children and development of independence from their families.  The service is provided between 10.00 am and 10.00 pm 7 days per week.  Families are offered either 3 hours per fortnight or 3 hours per week dependent on family circumstances.  An Outreach worker is linked to each child on a one-to-one basis.  The workers receive ongoing support and training.  Outreach is provided to children 5-18 years old.  In both Outreach and Sitting Services, there may be a need for 2 workers to support a family.

Back to Top