City of York council officers are looking for volunteers willing to help families with disabled children.

The city council wants to recruit carers for its short breaks service for children and young people with a permanent and substantial impairment or illness.

The service supports families and helps them cope with the challenges of caring for a disabled child.

The council is interested in hearing from anyone willing to provide day care or overnight care to one or more children. The breaks can last for a few hours to a few days a month and form part of their regular care.

The council also wants to hear from anyone willing to be a community short break worker, who would help disabled young people enjoy activities in the community, or willing to be a short break foster carer.

Coun Janet Looker, cabinet member for children and young people, said: “Being involved in the Short Breaks Service is such a rewarding and enjoyable role to have in a disabled child’s life but not many people know about it.”

We hope that when they hear about the opportunity many more people will think ‘I could do that’ and find out more.”