Family Respite Services

About Respite Providers

Respite Providers give periods of relief to caregivers by spending one on one time together with their child. Respite providers are seen as positive role models, and special friends. Respite providers often plan various interactive activities outside of the home such as going to the park, art gallery, library, or simply sharing time together. In this role the focus is on providing the child with an opportunity to participate in the community with social events and activities while enhancing their social skills. Our goal is to provide a period of rest (respite) for the family, while at the same time we do activities that enhance the life of the child. Respite providers report that they find their work as caregivers very fullfilling.

Qualifications

Respite providers are caring and committed individuals. They are often students at the University or College, but also include seniors, people who want to give back to the community and people who work in professions that allow them to have flexible time to provide this service. The experience that students gain as a respite provider assists them as they work towards career goals in fields such as social work, nursing, teaching child care and a variety of other practices. Sometimes respite providers are people that are already known to the child and family through the family's social network or through the child's activities or persons that the family recruits. Family Respite Service recruits respite providers with a wide range of qualifications, life experiences, ages and skills. All respite providers must be screened through FRS.  Those interested in providing respite care first complete an on line course about being a respite provider.  This gives an overview of respite, outlines the typical responsibilities of a respite provider and provides some resource information about the challenges and opportunities of being a respite provider.  A certificate is granted to those who successfully complete this course.  This helps us at FRS know that candidates know what being a respite care provider is all about and help them to determine if this is a good fit for them.  Once candidates complete this course, staff members from FRS will meet with the person to complete their application, discuss further their interests, qualifications and suitabililty.  References and a police clearance are necessary. The family makes the final choice of the respite provider.  The family provides the direct training about the care of their child. Respite providers are paid by the family with approved funding through Family Respite Services. Respite providers are self employed.

Online Course and Information Session

Persons interested in becoming respite providers or in home workers will be required to successfully complete an online respite provider training course. This course is a great opportunity for you to see if providing in home support is for you and to add to your skills for many careers. Come to an information session at FRS to learn more about the course and to enroll. Once you complete the course we review your resume and talk with you about the next steps involved to becoming a respite provider or in home worker.  

The Rewards of Being a Respite Provider:

FRS has heard from many respite providers that they feel great rewards from their role with the child.  Most feel that they receive as much as they give.  Many respite providers are people who are on their way to a variety of careers, including teaching, social work, nursing, child care, police work etc.  This experience is invaluable to them.