Oldham Family Link Scheme

The Oldham Family Link Scheme provides short term breaks for children and young people with disabilities, by linking them with a carer who looks after them for short periods of time in their own home, on a regular basis.

This can range from an overnight or weekend stay, to an occasional full week.

If you can care for a disabled child overnight and at the weekends, you are desperately needed!

About the children

The children who need short breaks may be autistic, have a physical disability, a learning difficulty or sensory impairment, they may be infants, right up to teenaged.

Having a family link carer can offer an opportunity for a child with a disability to make new friends, develop some independence, broaden their horizons and enjoy new experiences.

Families can use the time to 'recharge their batteries' and spend time doing ordinary things such as going for a meal, shopping and spending quality time with other members of the family, including other children.

Who can be a Family Link carer?

If you are an enthusiastic, affectionate person with the spare time, energy and commitment to look after a disabled child, then you can be a Family Link carer!

Like all children they are very much individuals, which is why people from all walks of life are needed – including people who are single, in a relationship, married or divorced, have children already or no children at all, employed or unemployed, from any ethnic background, or sexuality.

You don’t need to have had previous experience working with children, but some experience of children will be expected. This can be through family and friends e.g. regularly looking after a nephew.

Benefits for you

Becoming a Family Link carer is one of the most rewarding and satisfying things you can do.

You will:

• Make a real difference to the lives of disabled children and their families
• Develop friendships, both with the child and their family
• Gain valuable experience caring for children
• Get an allowance in recognition of expenses and time involved in caring for a child
  

Allowances

Being a Family Link carer is voluntary. However, carers are paid an allowance each time they provide care for a child.

This payment is to cover their expenses and does not count as an income and so will not affect tax or benefits.

Support services for Family Link carers

As a part of the assessment process the Family Link team spend time getting to know you and your family so they can establish what sort of child or disabilities suit you best.

The team does the same with the child and their family to identify what sort of carer they will be happiest with

Availability and the support time needed by the child and their family is also considered.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a Family Link carer

Step one - Contact the Family Link Team

To apply, you need to contact the Family Link Team.

Step two - Home visit

Once we have received your initial enquiry, we will arrange for a family link worker to come and see you at home to discuss the scheme in more detail.

Step three – Application form

Complete the application form (the Family Link worker will give you one at the home visit) and return it in the pre-paid envelope.

Step four - Checks and training

When you apply, the Family Link Team will carry out various checks, including an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check and request medical and personal references.

You will also be asked to attend preparation training, usually over two weekends or over eight evening sessions. The training will show you how to care for a disabled child and help you find out if being a Family Link carer is for you.

Step five - Assessment

Your Family Link worker will spend time getting to know you, gathering information about your skills and training needs, and discussing which child you might be able to support.

A report is then compiled and presented to members of Oldham's Fostering Panel.

Step six – Oldham Fostering Panel

Members of Oldham's Fostering Panel meet to discuss your application and decide if you should become a Family Link carer.

Step seven – The ‘link’

Once you have been approved as a Family Link carer, a ‘link’ with a family can be made.

The kind of child and disabilities that might suit you, what sort of carer suits the child, your availability and the support time needed by the child and their family are considered when making a link.

When a 'link' has been made the Family Link Team will arrange a meeting to introduce you to the child and their family.

If everyone is happy you will start by looking after the child for short sessions so you can get to know each other, progressing to the agreed care arrangements when everyone feels ready.