Richmond Family Link - short break care service

Family Link is a service which provides support to children and young people through day time outings, visits or overnight stays at the home of the Family Link Carer. To access this service, the child or young person must be referred by a social worker from the Disabled Children’s Team. The children who use the scheme may have a learning, physical or sensory impairment. Some may be on the autistic spectrum, have social or communication difficulties and some have additional health needs.

These links offer friendship, fun and new opportunities to the children and young people involved. At the same time parents can have a break from caring responsibilities to relax, spend time with their other children or enjoy an evening out together.

Family Link Carers are carefully assessed and approved by the local authority. They may be single people or couples, with or without their own children at home. They receive an allowance from the local authority. There is no charge to families for this service which is usually one overnight each month.

When a referral is made, the Family Link social worker visits the child and their family to talk about the scheme and how it works. They identify a suitable carer as soon as possible and arrange some introductory meetings so that everyone can get to know each other.

To find out whether your child may be eligible for this service, please contact the Duty Social Worker on 020 8831 6047.