Short breaks are arranged in various ways for those with an assessed need, through:
- Buildings-based short breaks
- Adult placement short breaks
- Breaks arranged through direct payments
This allows the individual an opportunity to have a break from their normal routine, a chance to meet new people and do things they may not have had the chance to previously.
It also allows the individual’s family to enjoy a break from the emotional and physical demands of their caring role.
Other residential facilities are also used on very specific occasions to provide emergency breaks to enable our response to crisis in the community. This is done following a thorough risk assessment completed by a multi-disciplinary team.
Buildings-based short breaks
Individuals with a learning disability stay in a building-based setting for a short period, such as a weekend, a few days, or longer if an assessed need is identified.
We provide short breaks in three locations.
Ellis Court, Carrickfergus
80 Ellis Street, Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim, BT38 8AZ.
- Telephone: 028 9331 5113
Hollybank, Magherafelt
13 Union Road, Magherafelt, Co. Derry, BT45 5DF.
- Telephone: 028 7963 3369
Ladyhill Private Nursing Home, Antrim
Adult placement short breaks
Share the Care (Shared Lives)
The Share the Care Team is a Trust-wide team supporting and recruiting adult placement carers who provide both permanent and short break placements for adults with a learning disability.
Short breaks can range from a few hours during the day to overnight stays in the carers home, taking part in day-to-day family activities in a home-from-home environment.
Short break adult placement carers are regarded as self-employed and paid expenses for their time and travel and can take adults with a learning disability out to do an activity, cinema, coffee, gym, etc. or spend time with them at their home, baking, watching movies etc. or just relaxing.
Long term adult placement carers provide longer term care in the carer’s own home to an adult with a learning disability.
Become a host carer
Day breaks: A day-break host carer provides a sitting service for a few hours in the person’s own home, or may take them out to an activity. This gives the person’s carer a few hours to have a break and the opportunity to have some free time.
Short breaks: Short breaks can range from one night to several nights. On a short break, the person will live in your home taking part in day-to-day family activities in a home-from-home environment.
Permanent adult placement: Host carers provide a permanent home to an adult with a learning disability. We know that this is a big commitment to make and is not for everyone. However, if you have a spare room and could offer someone a safe, happy, family home, we would love to hear from you. Hosts carers who provide a permanent placement are given a weekly payment.
We will give you training in first aid, manual handling and management of medicines. This training will be led by experienced medical, nursing and social work staff. It will give you a basic understanding of what is involved in working with adults with learning and physical disabilities, and will offer advice on how to handle problems which may arise.
We will pay you expenses to ensure you will not be out of pocket while providing a service to the Share the Care Team. Once you are accepted as a host carer and matched to a person with a learning disability, you will have the opportunity to meet them before the first short break. They will spend some time in your home getting to know you. The Share the Care Team will ensure you have support and guidance throughout your time as a host carer.
Who can be a host carer?
No special qualifications are necessary to be a host carer. We are looking for people with patience, commitment and understanding, who are happy to give their time or open up their home to welcome an adult with a learning disability.
Before you join the scheme, a social worker will visit you to talk to you about your current commitments and decide whether you could take on the responsibility of being a host carer. They will also assess the suitability of your home. We also carry out medical and criminal record checks on potential host carers.
If you think you could meet the challenge of being a host carer, or would just like more information, please get in touch.
How to contact us
Share the Care Learning Disability Team
Rathlea House, Mountfern Complex, 8a Rugby Avenue Coleraine, BT52 1JL.
- Telephone: 028 7034 7871