Home Sharing

Home Sharing is where people like you in the community are recruited, assessed, trained and supported to provide short breaks in your home, for a child or adult with a disability.

Check out John and Louise Sharing their experience

 The frequency of the break depends on your availability.

Home Sharing strives to empower people with a disability to have dignifying relationships and to be included meaningfully in the life of their communities, whilst enjoying a short break or full time support.                                       Fidelma Kelly, Home Sharing Manager

A “Home Sharing Family” refers to any household providing primarily short breaks or in some cases, full time support to a person with a disability in their own (Home Sharing family’s) home.

St. Michael's House Home Sharing Programme support St. Michael's House families that avail of St. Michael's House services.

We are seeking Home Sharing Families to host the children and adults who use our services.

Home Sharing Families are usually 1.5 hours maximum journey from Dublin area.

St. Michael's House currently have 67 service users availing of the Home Sharing Programme, 34 children and 33 adults.

  Watch and Share our Home Sharing Video

Click here or on the poster below for more information

In order to bring a consistent approach to the service from a national perspective, Home Sharing as a model of support is subdivided into three categories namely;

1. Home Sharing “Short Breaks” families

Home/Sharing “Short Breaks” involves a home sharing family in the community offering a placement to a person with intellectual disability in their home (home sharing families) for short breaks and caring for that person as a member of their family. A short break can encompass day care breaks, short overnight break, or breaks over holiday’s periods. An expenses allowance is paid per break.

2. Home Sharing “Contract” families

The physical, behavioural or healthcare needs of some persons with an intellectual disability are complex and more challenging. In recognition of this, Contract Families who have significant experience in the caring field are recruited to provide short break support. Contract families are expected to provide a number of short breaks per month and are with this option a monthly retainer is paid and an allowance is paid per session of support provided.

3. Home Sharing “Shared Living” families

A Home Sharing “Shared Living” family is a family that provides full time care to a person with a disability, similar to a fostering placement. The shared living family make their home available to a person with a disability, to share their home on a full time basis, as a member of their family. With this option a monthly retainer and an allowance per night of support is paid.

Home Sharing Assessment Process

There is an Assessment Process for our Home Sharing Programme.

There is 24/7 support for Home Sharing Families. During the assessment process you have the opportunity to discuss the level of care you can provide and the person best matched to your family.