We aim to provide packages of short break care in the family home to families who are in need of extra support; having a break does not mean that parents/guardians are failing in some way or not coping, we appreciate that caring for loved ones can be challenging and exhausting at times.
A Registered Nurse / trained healthcare assistant will care for the child enabling the parent/main carer to have a break from caring. Eligible children will be allocated either a nurse or a specialist health care assistant who will provide 3 hours or more care in their home per week, leaving parents and guardians time to get on top of household chores, tend to other family members or simply their feet up and have a cup of tea, knowing their child is in safe hands
Short Break sessions of 3 or 4 hours per week are offered; this decision is reached using a scoring tool.
Continuing Care support is available to support those children / young people with highly complex healthcare needs.
Who it’s for
18 years and under.
Referrals
Referrals can be made by any health or social care professional using our SPOR form. Criteria apply, and packages of support offered are dependent on a health needs assessment; each agreed package of care is regularly reviewed.
Eligibility Criteria
Short Break Services will provide inpatient healthcare or home based care for:
“…children and young people with complex health needs; encompassing medical needs as the main criteria; and with or without a learning disabilities or physical disabilities.
The common criteria will be children and young people who are dependent on their parents or carer carrying out a clinical procedure which is essential, either as part of their routine of care, or within an emergency situation”.
This definition is promoted by the National Council for Disabled Children (Including Me 2005).
The target population may include children requiring a combination of the following. The list is not comprehensive or exclusive, merely illustrative:
- On-going intervention to maintain breathing
- Complex Feeding Regime i.e. severe reflux / vomiting, frequent feeds, risk of aspiration
- Complex stoma and catheter care
- Frequent nursing interventions e.g. frequent suctioning / nebuliser / other medication
- Seizures regularly requiring environmental and/or acute medical intervention
- Unstable / degenerative condition
The service will provide for children whose assessment has identified the need for a short break
Contact
Children's Short Breaks - Home Nursing
Fledglings, Norwich Community Hospital, Bowthorpe Road, NR2 3TU
Tel: 01603 508947
Opening Hours: Coordinators can be contacted Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm
Respite is available throughout a 24hr period but has to be booked with the coordinators in advance.
Parking and Transport: The Norwich Community Hospital Site is well served by public transport routes. There is also car parking available, including disabled spaces.
Important information for blue badge holders: On parking please report to reception of the service you are visiting with your blue badge so that the details can be logged on the Trust’s parking database.
Access and Facilities: Main entrance well signposted and wheelchair accessible. Wheelchair accessible toilet.