Respite Fostering
Last updated | 30/10/2008
The majority of adults who care for children benefit from a break from their daily responsibilities. Foster carers also need this break from their normal routine. Children can also benefit from short breaks, and enjoy the opportunity for more individual attention.
Respite fostering provides vital, regular support to foster carers and families in the community by allowing them some breathing space. This can range from a couple of days up to a fortnight, to 'recharge their batteries'. It can be a very good way of supporting both foster carers and also children who live with their own families, where a planned break is necessary to maintain the family unit.
Support, training and payment for respite and temporary fostering is included within the Fostering Strategy payment for skills scheme.
A separate scheme, 'Short Breaks' provides respite care for children with disabilities.
