All short break foster carers who are subject to the National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services are expected to complete a set of Training, Support and Development Standards for short break carers.
The standards are adapted from the Training, Support and Development Standards for Foster Carers and reflect the distinct role of the short break carer in providing short periods of care specifically for children and young people who are disabled or have complex health needs.
The standards set out clearly what short break carers should know, understand and be able to do, and are designed to be proportionate to the role and tasks of the short break carer. Completing the standards will help to ensure that short break carers are safe to take on the appropriate level of responsibility for the disabled children and young people in their care and will assist supervisors and managers in assessing the skills, knowledge and experience of short break carers, and in identifying their training and development needs.
Those who are subject to the National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services must complete these standards during the twelve months following their approval as foster carers, or within twelve months of their taking up their role.
Other short break carers are also strongly encouraged to complete the standards to support their professional development and training.
