What
are family based care services?
*Please note that the content of this section is in the
process of being updated.
Family Based Care involves day care, short stay or longer term
care being provided in the home of an approved Carer or within the
user's own home.
It may also mean a Carer taking the service user out into
the local community e.g. to go shopping or for leisure
activities.
A period of care may be anything from an hour or two to a full
day or from an overnight stay to a period of two or three weeks.
Some Carers accept service users as part of their family for many
months or years.
How can I get family based care services?
Following an assessment of the service user’s needs by a Care
Manager, a request may be made to the Family Based Care Organiser
to provide a suitable placement (contact details at bottom of
page).
"Matching" is a fundamental part of the placement process and
crucial to its success. As far as possible Carer and client are
matched in terms of the type of care needed, personality and
interests, cultural background etc. To aid the matching process and
as a way of introducing themselves many of the Carers provide a
brief pen portrait and photograph. In all but exceptional
circumstances, there is at least one introductory meeting between
client and Carer before any placement will go ahead. Only if this
meeting is successful will the placement proceed. If it is
unsuccessful, an alternative placement will be offered, if
available.
Who are the family based carers?
Family Based Carers are individuals
or families who are approved by the Council. The approval process
is a comprehensive procedure requiring the applicant to complete an
application form, provide three referees and a GP reference and
subscribe to the Service’s Code of Practice and Confidentiality
Agreement. Although approval can be a rather lengthy procedure it
is felt that this is the most reliable means of safeguarding, as
far as possible, those vulnerable adults who may later be placed in
the care of that person.
During and following approval Carers receive training and
support. All Carers are expected to undertake core training e.g.
emergency aid, moving and handling, vulnerable adult protection
etc. They also have regular support meetings that include training,
administration and social elements.
Contact Details
For further information, please contact your local Social Care Team.
