Service Description: The Family Link Scheme provides short breaks for a child with a disability or a serious, chronic medical condition. The breaks take place with a Family Link carer, usually based in their own home. Sometimes Family Link carers help to support a child in specific activities, such as Brownies or Cubs. The scheme has been very successful in providing long-term links for children. Positive relationships have developed between the child, their family and the carers and their families. Everyone benefits because the essence of Family Link is that people can share fun and activities in a normal setting. The scheme is a member of a national charity called Shared Care Network. Their web site can provide more details, please click the web link provided.
Also known as:- Fostering Service
Answer: Children who use the scheme have a range of different types of special needs. Some children have a moderate learning or physical disability, whereas others have more severe and complex disabilities or health needs. The ‘matching’ process concentrates on linking the right child with the right carer. There is no typical ‘Family Link’ arrangement and no one is asked to take a child they do not feel able to manage. - Related Link