Could you provide a short break for a disabled child?

If you could provide a short break for a child with a disability then the council is appealing for you to come forward.

The short breaks are part of the council's Butterflies short break scheme for disabled children. The scheme is a vital service for both local children with disabilities and their families.

Short break carers are ordinary people who look after children with a disability on a regular basis. You can be any age and from any background.

Care can develop from one day a week to one weekend away every month. Short break carers help children become independent and make new, supporting children in pursuing interests outside of home and school.

At the same time parents get a break from caring from their loved ones and can relax knowing that their child is in safe hands.

The difference to families and children that a simple short break can make is massive and people often don't realise that they have what it takes to be able to do this.

Short break carers can be young or old, married or single, retired, unemployed or working. They may or may not have children of their own, or their children may be grown up and have left home. And if you want to be a carer, then you do not need to have previous experience, as you will receive full training and support.

For more information on this please contact Sandra Mineham, Butterflies short break coordinator on 01652 656005 or visit the fostering pages on the council website.

North Lincolnshire council, 7th may 2009