The Emergency Care Scheme is offered by Cambridgeshire County Council for parent/carers of disabled children to help put together a plan so should unexpected emergencies occur for them, there is some short term help available.
The sort of situations that the scheme is designed to help with are:
- Parental illness, accident or admission to hospital or other health needs which prevent him or her from being able to provide care.
- Family emergencies such a sibling or close relative being taken ill or requiring help and support.
- Funeral of a close relative or friend.
- Specific occasions when a carer’s job is at risk.
The Emergency Care plan is drawn up by helping parents think about who they could call on to help in an emergency and to clarify what help they can look for from family, friends and neighbours in the short term.
In addition to or instead of this, parents may wish to nominate other care providers, such as their Link carers, residential short break care or the Community Support Service for the provision of emergency care for their child, provided that they are currently receiving a service from them.
Once in place, the plan is accessible to provide a 24 hour telephone response service so that nominated emergency carers can be contacted and emergency care co-ordinated for a child for up to 48 hours.