'Short break respite care saved my family'

A single parent whose son has complex needs has thanked respite foster carers for "saving my mental health and keeping my family together".

Teresa, from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, said without the short breaks with carers that were organised for her youngest son Ryan, who has autism and learning disabilities, he would not have been able to continue living with her.

"I didn't want Ryan in care at all, I wanted to do it all myself and be a good mother, but if I hadn't had the respite foster care I wouldn't have coped to be honest," she said.

North Yorkshire Council said it was looking for dozens of new foster carers in the region.

Mother-of-two Teresa, who has anxiety and depression, said she had previously felt "alone and isolated" as a parent.

"I didn't have any family support, it's hard enough without a child with additional needs," she said.

Fostering North Yorkshire, a not-for-profit organisation, arranged for a short breaks carer to get to know the family.

Over a period of four years, the carer looked after Ryan during regular short stays, overnight and day visits.

"I could sleep properly, I could eat properly, things other people take for granted," Teresa said.

"It helped me get my energy back to be the best parent for Ryan when he came back."

She added: "It restored my confidence and sense of identity - I could be Teresa again."

Foster carers are given an allowance to help pay for the child's food and other requirements, but they are also usually paid fees on top, to recognise their time and skills.

Rosie Appleby, head of placement services for North Yorkshire Council, said: "We are probably looking for about 30 to 40 extra carers, specifically around short term arrangements, at any one time.

"All carers are allocated a social worker to support and prepare them and the amount of time a carer offers varies - it might be once a week or more than that."

She added: "We're always looking to welcome new carers into the amazing North Yorkshire foster care community."

Heather Woolley, 59, who has recently started as a short breaks foster carer, said: "A child might come to me after school for a couple of hours, stay and have tea with me, or they might stay overnight and leave the next morning."

Ms Woolley, who is from Scarborough and worked in special education for 16 years, said her experience made her a good match for the role.

"I've had positive feedback from the families as it's given them the time to spend with other siblings, which they don't normally get to do," she said.

There is no set foster carer payment as it depended on a range of factors, North Yorkshire Council said.

These include how many children are being fostered, their needs and requirements and the carer's skill set.

"I'm here today bringing Ryan up, and I don't think that would have happened if I hadn't had this really important, valuable service," Teresa said.

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