Home Sharing
Ability West Home Sharing Services
What is Home Sharing?
Home Sharing offers a short break respite placement or a fulltime placement of care for people with an intellectual disability. This support is provided in the Home Sharing family’s home as an alternative to other forms of respite.
The service is jointly operated by Ability West and the Brothers of Charity Service Ireland West Region, and are collectively known as ‘Home Share Galway’. We provide Home Sharing to adults and children with intellectual disabilities throughout Galway City and County.
Types of Home Sharing
The term ‘Home Sharing’ is an umbrella term referring to people with an intellectual disability in a Home Sharing arrangement. Home Share Galway have three elements to Home Sharing, namely: Home Sharing Short Breaks, Contract Family and Shared Living.
1) Home Sharing Short Breaks families support a child or adult with an intellectual disability in their home for short breaks and care for that person as a member of their own family. Home Sharing Short Breaks arrangements are based on the Home Sharing family’s availability around work and other caring commitments, as this is not generally the Home Sharing family’s primary role. They may provide one night a week or one weekend a month, and a small allowance is provided.
2) Home Sharing Contract Families are contracted by Home Share Galway and provide regular short breaks to children and/or adults with complex support needs. They are contracted to be available for a substantial number of nights such as ten (10), sixteen (16) or twenty (20) per month. A monthly retainer is provided to the Contract Family and allowances given for each session of support.
3) Home Sharing Shared Living Families provide full-time support and accommodation to an adult with an intellectual disability which is similar to a fostering placement. The Shared Living family make their home available to an adult with an intellectual disability to share their home on a full-time basis as a member of their own family. The person being supported may spend some time during the month with their own family or with another Home Sharing family but their main residence is with the Shared Living family for a minimum of 21 nights per month. A monthly retainer is provided to the Shared Living family and allowances for each night of support provided.
Training
Training is provided to potential Home Sharing families which includes information and guidelines on what is involved in supporting a vulnerable person with an intellectual disability in their own home.
If applicants are married or cohabiting, both will be considered as applicants, and both applicants will be expected to attend each training session. Training is typically facilitated once a year in the autumn, and take place outside of normal working hours.
Assessment
Potential Home Sharing families undergo a Home Sharing assessment which is based on the fostering assessment. The purpose of a Home Sharing assessment is to ascertain the suitability of the family for Home Sharing and make recommendations. The assessment explores the family’s attitudes to childcare and/or supporting a person with intellectual / physical disability.
The assessment also establishes the skills, knowledge and experiences of the potential Home Sharing family while at the same time finding out about the family’s lifestyle, including their background, hobbies and interests.
Home Sharing assessments guide the Home Sharing team in matching the family with a prospective person with intellectual disability. At least three assessment visits take place, depending on the number of household members. A Social Worker will arrange to meet with each applicant separately (if applicable), and separately with their children (if applicable). Individual sessions are completed to determine everyone’s understanding of becoming a Home Sharing family.
Vetting
Garda clearance is sought for each individual over 18 year of age within 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 process is presented to the Home Sharing Panel for approval.
As part of the Home Sharing review process, updates of Garda vetting and Tusla clearances are sought every 3 years, and approved Home Sharing families are asked to obtain a medical check-up every five years.
Matching
Following approval the Home Sharing family is presented to the matching panel. The matching panel provide structure and criteria for matching a person with an intellectual disability with a suitable Home Sharing family. The person with a disability is matched to a suitable Home Sharing family according to geographical area, needs, skills and individual preferences. Introductions between Home Sharing families and the potential new guest will be organised to suit both parties. Once the placement is up and running ongoing supervision and support is provided by the Home Sharing team through informal and formal reviews.
Apply to become a Home Sharing family
1) Download the Home Sharing Application form or contact 091 540 900 and ask for a member of the Home Sharing team and we will post an application out to you.
2) Email a completed Home Sharing application form to homesharing@abiltiywest.ie or post the form to Home Sharing Team, Blackrock House, Salthill, Galway, H91 R254
3) Your details will be carefully maintained by the Home Sharing Team and a member of the team will be in touch to commence the process.