Respite Care

On this page:

• What do respite caregivers do?
• Steps to becoming a respite caregiver

What do respite caregivers do?

Respite caregivers care for children and youth for short periods of time. Respite provides a safe and nurturing environment for children and youth, and gives a break to parents or primary caregivers. Respite is an important service that can sometimes prevent the need for a child or youth to require full-time care. Through respite care, children and youth meet new people, have new experiences and respite caregivers become part of a family’s support network.

Respite caregivers are passionate about working with children and youth and can support one or more families, depending on how much time they can commit to caregiving. Some people provide respite care prior to becoming full-time foster caregivers and use the time to build their skill and experience.

Respite caregivers who have a contract with the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) or an Indigenous Child and Family Service (ICFS) Agency are approved as foster caregivers and the process to become a respite caregiver is the same as that for foster caregivers.

"Respite caregivers are passionate about working with children and youth and can support one or more families, depending on how much time they can commit to caregiving. Some people provide respite care prior to becoming full-time foster caregivers and use the time to build their skill and experience.”

Do you think you may be able to provide care for a child or youth for short periods of time? See the steps below.

Caregivers who care for children and youth with complex needs often have the skills and experience to become specialized caregivers. Speak with a social worker to find out how skilled caregivers fit in to our circle of care.

Steps to becoming a respite caregiver

Step 1:

Call:

B.C. Foster Parents Association: 1-800-663-9999 Mon to Fri, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Indigenous Perspectives Society: 1-250-857-4969

You will be asked to provide some basic information that will be shared with the recruitment office in your area.

Step 2:

Attend an information session

Information sessions are designed to help potential caregivers make the decision about applying to foster or provide respite.

Step 3:

Submit your application

Your application will include:

• Personal references
• A medical assessment
• A criminal record check (for anyone over 18 years of age that lives in the home, is in a relationship with an applicant or spends significant time in the home)
• A review of records to check for previous child welfare involvement

NOTE: Criminal or child welfare records and/or health concerns do not automatically prevent you from becoming a caregiver. The assessment considers historical context and current situation when talking about historical or current concerns.

Step 4:

Attend pre-service training

Foster caregiver applicants are required to complete training prior to receiving approval as a foster caregiver. This online training takes approximately 35 hours to complete and is self-paced over a 12-week period. Learners are supported by specialized facilitators. An assigned social worker will register foster caregiver applicants for this training.

Step 5: 

A social worker will complete several in-home interviews with prospective caregivers. Many topics are discussed during the interviews, such as:

• History and personal characteristics of caregiver applicants
• Parenting style and skills or work experience with children and youth
• Family and partner relationships, other personal supports
• Lifestyle, schedules and commitments
• Community and cultural involvement, spiritual beliefs
• Home environment
• A conversation with all other members of the household
• Willingness to collaborate and connect with social workers, a child or youth’s family and a child or youth’s Indigenous community (if a child or youth in the home is Indigenous)