Short-break carers are short-term foster carers who provide regular care, often one weekend a month, for disabled children. Beth Tarleton reports on a study of 53 short-break carers offering short breaks for children with high support needs. The research found that short-break carers provided short breaks because they enjoyed it and developed real relationships with the children, but that the way in which they were recruited, assessed, trained, paid and supported was often influenced by a lack of staff time and resources, and a lack of clarity regarding their role.
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