HOST FAMILIES

Becoming a Host Family

Each year more and more families in the Mid West who have a child with a Disability are requesting home sharing. These requests can only continue to be met if families continue to come forward to host.

Training

A training course is organised for potential Host families. This provides information and guidelines on what is involved in hosting a child with a disability. It provides suggestions on how to cope with any issues that may arise during Hosting.

Currently the training consists of 6 sessions including a family day for all the family.The training is practice based, addressing potential problems that may arise. It encourages Host families to look at themselves and the resources that they can bring to the Home Sharing task.

Assessment

All potential Host Carers are required to take part in an assessment. This involves discussing various issues such as:

1. Family background/circumstances
2. Motivation to become a carer
3. Life Experiences
4. Expectations of Scheme

2 members of the committee will arrange to visit you at home to carry out this assessment. Detailed references will be required. Garda clearance will also be required.

Following training, assessment and approval to become a Host Carer the committee will begin the process to place a child for Have-A-Break. This process involves several factors which consider the needs of the individual child and the resources of the host carer.

In this respect the opinions of the child, their family, the host carers and the keyworker are all taken into account to ensure a successful placement.

There follows an introductory period where the child, his/her parents and the host family meet prior to placement. This contact usually continues for any further visits in order to provide information and support for everyone.

Expenses

Expenses are provided to the Host Carers to cover the costs of having a child to stay.