Community short breaks

We are looking to recruit carers who are warm and nurturing, enjoy caring for children and have the necessary skills and qualities to support them. We need carers who are patient and flexible.

Caring for other children is very different from caring for your own children. The children we support might have experienced trauma and neglect and could show stressed or distressed behaviour. Could you manage these challenging situations and remain positive?

We work closely with families, supporting them in a non-judgemental way and recognising the difficulties they might be experiencing. Could you build that positive relationship?

As a Community Short Breaks carer you would be expected to:

• Care for a child/young person in your own home and ensure that they are safe, supported and given an enjoyable time.
• Work in partnership with Social Work, attending children’s reviews and meetings when required.
• Work in partnership with parents/carers to ensure the needs of their child/young person are met. Community short breaks carers normally collect children from their home when they come for short breaks, returning them afterwards. This gives parents and carers the opportunity to share relevant information to support the child.
• Undertake training to prepare and support you in your caring role.

Community Short Breaks carers can be single or couples, employed or unemployed and come from a range of different backgrounds. The only specific requirements are that you must be over 21 and have a spare bedroom for the child/young person. Couples do not need to be married or in a civil partnership but they must have lived together for a minimum of 2 years. Applications are welcome from people who wish to continue with their main employment.

In South Lanarkshire Council, applications will not be accepted for the Community Short Breaks Service from prospective carers who smoke and who wish to care for a child under the age of five years. In addition, a child with a respiratory condition or a disability will not be placed in a smoking household. This is in recognition of the dangers of passive smoking.