Share the Care Week is designed to encourage people to help families of disabled children. By providing occasional respite care, short break carers can make that essential difference. SARAH SINGLETON reports.

PEOPLE in Wiltshire are asked to give up a little of their time to help disabled children and their families.

All over the county hundreds of families include full time carers of children with disabilities and many of them never have the chance for a break.

Now Wiltshire County Council's Home from Home Team wants everyone to consider if they could help out.

Short break carers are ordinary people who look after a disabled child on a regular basis, normally one weekend a month.

As well as giving parents a much-needed break, the scheme gives disabled children the chance to meet new friends and gain new experiences.

Short break carers can be married or single, young or old, retired, unemployed or working. They may or may not have children of their own.

They do not need any experience as they receive training and support, and they receive an allowance for their time.

"We want to encourage more people to come forward," said Sue Mennear, Development Worker at Shared Care Network, the national charity co-ordinating the campaign.

"Being a short break carer is not a huge commitment but makes a huge difference to disabled children and their families.

"What's more, it is very rewarding. If you can spare a few hours a month with a disabled child then there are plenty of families out there who need your support."

The campaign to recruit more short-break carers was launched by the Home from Home team as part of Share the Care week, which runs until Sunday.

Resource worker Sue De-Haven will be touring Wiltshire libraries with information about becoming a short break carer.

The display will be at Calne library today and tomorrow and at Chippenham Library from November 6.

"Getting a regular break from caring is a lifeline to many parents of disabled children," she said.

"They know their child is being looked after and enjoying a break too. Carers get to know the child and look forward to visits. It is a win-win situation."

If someone wants to become a short break carer the first step is a visit at home by a member of the Home from Home team, so they can meet the family. After this initial assessment, the potential carer is enrolled on a preparation course.

The course involves attending six sessions, four evening sessions and two Saturdays, covering a range of issues.

The short break carer is checked out and a family placement officer carries out an assessment to find out which children would best fit in with the short break carer.

Finally the matter is brought before a panel for approval.

"The right child and carer must be matched," said Mrs De-Haven.

Wiltshire currently has around 30 short break carers but many more are needed.

"A short break carer needs to be someone who likes caring for children, and enjoys doing ordinary things that most families take for granted like feeding the ducks or going swimming," she said.

"They need a high degree of patience, as many disabled children find it difficult to communicate, and many do not understand what it expected of them.

"But it can being a huge amount of pleasure. Parents can recharge batteries and perhaps can do things with their other children.

"It can make the difference so families stay together.

This year is also National Autism Awareness Year and Share the Care Week organisers hope to highlight the needs of families of children with autistic disorders.

One in three disabled children has some form of autism and many families badly need short breaks, to help them cope with stress and exhaustion. A recent report found that nearly three-quarters receive no support services at all.

To find out more contact Mrs De-Haven on (01225) 752198.