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.
The frequency of the break depends on your availability.
Home Sharing strives to empower people with an intellectual 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 intellectual 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
Click here to listen to Home Sharing Team Lead, Fidelma Kelly, speaking about St. Michael's House Home Sharing on RTE DriveTime (30th April 2021)
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 an intellectual disability, similar to a fostering placement. The shared living family make their home available to a person with intellectual 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.
If you are interested in becoming a Home Sharing Family please contact the Home Sharing Office:
St. Michael' 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.
I do not avail of St. Michael's House services but I am seeking a Home Sharing Host Family for a person with a Disability.
If you are a family seeking Home Sharing services and do not use St. Michael's House services you can contact the National Home Sharing & Short Breaks Network to find a Home Sharing service near you.
You can find Home Sharing host family services in the Republic of Ireland on the NHSN website.
I am outside of St. Michael's House services but I would like to become a Home Sharing Host Family for a person with a Disability.
You can find Home Sharing host family services in the Republic of Ireland on the NHSN website.
The National Home Sharing & Short Breaks Network (NHSN) is the premier association of people and organisations engaged in using, promoting and providing Home Sharing family based services for people with intellectual disability and physical disability and/or Autism.
St. Michael's House are members of the NHSN network.