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Carer centres and services Home And Away Short Break Scheme Swindon

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About

The Home and Away Scheme is designed to support the parents of children with disabilities. It provides respite care for the parents and carers of disabled children by giving them a regular, and much needed, short break away from the unique, complex demands and special parenting skills required to look after a child with disabilities. Supporting parents in this way by giving them regular breaks not only enables them to cope with the extra demands but, also, enables the child to continue to live at home with their family.

Opening times

Normal office hours are 9.00am to 5.00pm

Catchment area

Borough of Swindon.

Target group

The service is for parents of children with disabilities.

Further information

The basis of the scheme is that each child stays, periodically, with a 'Home and Away Foster Carer' in the carer's home. This might just be for a few hours, for an overnight stay or for a weekend. Parents can relax in the knowledge that their child is being looked after well and is also being provided with the opportunity to establish and develop meaningful relationships with people outside of their own family, but in a loving, safe and friendly environment.

Referral method

To request an initial needs assessment, please contact the Family Contact Point on 01793 466903 or at fcp@swindon.gov.uk

This information was supplied by Serco Global Services on 1 April 2025.