Respite care provides a series of pre-planned, short-term placements of a particular child with the same carer.  The length and timing of the arrangements can vary according to the specific needs of the child and their family.  Torbay’s respite care services include homebased breaks, community based breaks (eg specialist playschemes), and overnight breaks (either with a Shared Care family, or residential).

Respite care can be arranged on a one-off or a regular basis.  It can also be arranged for short periods of time (such as a few hours) or for longer stays of a week or more.  Respite care is usually arranged on a planned basis, but it may be arranged quickly in an emergency situation. The respite carer scheme has been established for the benefit of the children and their families.  For children to be placed within the scheme there has often been some family crisis or problem for which they need some support or assistance.  This includes a family illness, the parents finding the child’s behaviour very difficult to handle or the parent is not coping.  Respite care offers a break or series of breaks that could act to prevent a family breakdown or the child being placed in foster care.  The true value of the respite carer scheme is that it seeks to maintain a child in their own home and helps keep families together.