Home Sharing and Respite
About Home Sharing and Respite
Disability Services all over the country are supporting a contemporary individualised model of support in the community through Home Sharing. Home Sharing is an alternative option to the traditional residential and respite care models of support offered to people with intellectual disability and their families. Ability West and the Brothers of Charity Services Ireland – West Region jointly operate the service which initially started in 1985 known as Home Share Galway.
We are in the process of developing a home sharing scheme in Roscommon.
What is Home Sharing?
Why become a Home Sharing family?
Who can become a Home Sharing Family?
Home Share Galway doesn’t just look for a “traditional” family unit to become a Home Sharing family. They look for anyone who feels that they have the desire and time to offer support to a child or an adult with an intellectual disability. Single people, cohabiting couples, married people, and retired people can make excellent Home Sharing families. Formal qualifications are not required but qualities such as warmth, patience, flexibility and common sense are necessary.
How to become a Home Sharing family?
If you are interested in becoming a Home Sharing family please contact our office on 091-721560. You can also email familysupport@bocsi.ie where a member of our Home Sharing team will respond to your query.
Home Sharing application forms are screened and applicants go through a process similar to that of fostering which involves completing a training course and a Social Work Home Sharing assessment. Each member of the potential Home Sharing family is included in the process.
We seek Garda clearance for each individual over 18 in the household, along with Tusla checks, medicals, and three named referees for the potential main carers. An additional employer reference may be sought if the applicant(s) has previously worked or is currently working with a disability service provider. The assessment and completed vetting is presented to the Home Sharing Panel for approval.
The overall assessment and vetting process for Home Sharing families is very thorough. If any individual or couple has doubts about their suitability for Home Sharing, these will surface during the assessment process. This is normal as some people may realise that it is not for them. However, the majority of people go on to be successful Home Sharing families.
Further Information
If you are interested in becoming a Home Sharing family please contact us.
Email: FamilySupport@bocsi.ie
Telephone: (091) 721 560