North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership

Could you be a short break carer for children and young people in North Ayrshire who require supportive and caring adults to provide essential support via weekend/midweek short breaks?

Short break care is when an approved carer offers children and young people (aged from birth to 16 years) short stays in their home to assist families at difficult times. We call these family based short breaks.

For some families this may be a one-off requirement, while other families may need regular short periods of respite to assist them in caring for their children.

It is a resource that is greatly needed, as it is often the last resort before children are looked after outwith their family.

Criteria for applicants

• Applicants must be over 21 years old
• Single applicants as well as couples are welcomed
• Couples do not need to be married or in a civil partnership, but they must have lived together for a minimum of 2 years
• Applicants do not have to be employed
• Applicants do not need to own their own home

• All applicants will be subject to local authority, health, employment and PVG checks

Do I need a spare room to provide respite?

You will need a spare room that is suitable for a child.

You can specify what age of child you would like to care for, for example a toddler or an older child. If you have children of your own still living at home, then their preferences will also be taken into consideration.

Do I need qualifications and will I get paid?

You won’t need any formal qualifications, but you must have an interest in making a difference to a child’s life and have the ability to offer a nurturing and loving environment.

You will receive an allowance for each child. For most carers, the main reward is knowing that they are helping a child in difficulty.

How do I become a family based short break carer?

You can begin the process by contacting the Families for Children Team at North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership on the details below.

What happens next?

Please complete the online enquiry form. Our Family Placement Team will then contact you to discuss and take things forward.

Prospective foster carers, adoptive parents, short-break carers and kinship carers are subject to very detailed assessment, checking process and training (if appropriate) before each application is presented for approval.

Contact us

To find out how we can help, please get in touch.