Families Together Short Breaks Scheme

Everybody needs a break sometimes and we want to help our amazing Rotherham foster families to get the rest they deserve. We have a number of measures in place to ensure everybody gets the time and support they need, one of these is through the Families Together scheme.

The Families Together Scheme provides support services to disabled children under 18 in Rotherham, and their families. The Families Together Team has a social worker who links children with another family or individual. These families or individuals volunteer to have a disabled child with them for a short break on a regular basis from a few hours a week to a few days a month. This could involve caring for the child in the carer’s home, in the child’s home, or taking them out on an activity. This service is usually free and Family Together carers are paid an allowance for their time.

As a Families Together Short Break carer it is a privilege helping to support children and their families as a unit.

-Liz, existing foster carer

Who uses the Families Together Scheme?

The children who use the service may have a range of disabilities including physical, learning or sensory impairment, or autism. Short breaks give children a chance to make new friends and to widen their experience by spending time away from home with their Families Together carer.

Who are Families Together Carers?
They are ordinary people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures. Carers are carefully checked and approved and will have undertaken training for the role. You do not need prior care experience to become a Families Together carer as all the training and support is provided. Families Together carers like spending time with children and are passionate about helping local families. If this sounds like you, you can speak to our team about becoming a Families Together Carer or book an information visit with one of our team to start the application process.