By Lucy Summers | Posted: Thursday September 14, 2017
Do you want to help Dunedin families in need of support? We are looking for caregivers to provide emergency, short-term and/or respite care for children.
As part of our support for families, sometimes we offer planned respite care when there may not be other people who can help.
This is when the child or children are placed with a caregiver for an agreed and regular period of time, for example one weekend a month. We may be able to provide emergency respite care if the child’s parent cannot look after them, for example if they are in hospital.
We try to find a caregiver who best matches the needs of the family. Caregivers are given ongoing support and training and receive a board payment to help cover additional costs.
There is no one particular “type” of person who is better suited to caregiving than any other. The real qualification is whether you can commit yourself wholeheartedly to meeting the child’s needs, be honest, accepting and flexible.
All caregivers are required to undergo an approval process including a police check, a health check, Ministry for Vulnerable Children - Oranga Tamariki checks, referee checks and a home-safety check.
Caregiver Val says “This has become a passion for me and the joy and fulfillment that you get from helping these children is beyond any words. I urge anyone that has a great caring heart to take this opportunity on as the rewards are beyond belief and better than anything you receive in life.” Read Val's story here.
If you are interested in finding out more about being a caregiver and what is involved, please call 03 477 0801, 0800 FAM CARE or email enquiries@familycare.org.nz or read the information booklet.