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Link foster care

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Small moments can make a difference. As a Link foster carer, you'll help children enjoy new experiences, develop confidence and have fun, while giving their families time to take a break from caring responsibilities.

Help create moments that matter

We’re looking for experienced carers to offer short breaks for children with learning disabilities or complex health needs.

Link care gives parents of children with disabilities a short break from their caring role. They can catch up on sleep, spend time with the rest of their family or simply take a break. Link carers can make an incredible difference for families who are struggling.

It’s an incredibly fulfilling role that helps so many people with our support every step of the way.

What are Link short breaks?

Link short breaks are regular overnight stays where children with additional needs spend time with a specially trained foster carer.

These breaks give the families time to rest and recharge, while offering the child new experiences, positive new relationships and the chance to to build confidence.

Children who receive link care often attend specialist schools and may need support with:

  • moving and handling
  • eating, drinking and taking medication
  • personal care
  • complex sensory needs and help with self-regulation

What does a Link foster carer do?

As a Link foster carer, you’ll

  • provide a safe and welcoming home for consistent short breaks in your home
  • be a trusted part of the child’s support network
  • offer a spare bedroom for overnight stays
  • support the child with their daily routines and activities
  • include the child in your everyday home life

Short breaks are flexible. They can range from occasional weekends to more regular stays, depending on the child’s needs and your availability.

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for people who:

  • have experience of supporting children with additional needs
  • feel confident supporting children with disabilities
  • enjoy building  trusting relationships with children and families
  • are patient, understanding and reliable
  • can offer a stable and nurturing home environment

You may have experience in:

  • specialist education 
  • health care 
  • community care
  • supported children with disabilities as a parent or family member
Get in touch today

Every short break makes a real difference.

Link care can be a lifeline for parents and carers of children with disabilities, providing them with much needed breaks in their caring role. Its impact can be invaluable.

As a Link foster carer, to see a child smile as they expand their comfort zone and develop more self-confidence, can be precious. You feel part of a process that is positive and life-affirming.

You will:

  • build a close, caring relationship with a child and their family
  • make a significant difference to a child’s life 
  • receive a remuneration package plus expenses
  • join a supportive community of experienced foster carers
  • receive guidance from your supervising social worker and access to 24/7 support or advice should you need it

Frequently asked questions

Yes. It’s important that Link foster carers already have experience working with children with additional needs. This role supports children with complex disabilities and health needs. Carers need to feel confident providing this level of care from the outset.

This varies. Many Link foster carers provide care one weekend a month, but arrangements can be more frequent depending on the child and your availability.

Yes, definitely. We have been in operation as a fostering service for over half a century. We have an extensive track record of supporting our foster carers and an in-depth bank of excellent resources to draw on. You will be joining a group of local authority professionals with the experience and training to fully support you.

You’ll have a supervising social worker. You will be invited to join our network of support groups and will be part of a vibrant community of foster carers. There is always out‑of‑hours help if you ever need it. We have a busy programme of training, both online and in-person and organise regular meetups and events with our fostering community.

If you’re feeling inspired and want to do something that has real meaning, now is the time to get in touch. We’re a friendly team and are here to help answer your questions.

Contact us

Email us at fostering@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

Call us on 0800 052 0078

Follow us on Facebook: @CCCFosteringService

Connect on Instagram: @cambsfostering

Proud to partner with:

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