We have a number of carers like Joan and Ian, who commit themselves to parenting very challenging youngsters.

Joan and Ian have looked after Gordon (16) and Rory (17) for the past three and four years, respectively.  Both boys have been excluded from school because of verbal abuse and disruptive behaviour in class.  It took them a long time to trust Joan and Ian and the boys continually tested them with rejecting and hurtful behaviour.  This has very gradually subsided and Rory now plans to remain with Joan and Ian until he’s 25 (he says) and Ian wants to know if they’ll be grandparents for his kids!  It has not been very easy for Joan and Ian to sustain the kindly, fair and consistent care that they’ve given the boys.  They feel that without the help of Irene, a respite carer who consistently provided a weekend break for them where they could recharge their batteries, this life would have been much harder for them.

Joan and Ian needed the support of the regular breaks Irene provided for them.  People who have experience of parenting their own teenage children, or other relevant experience, may find that they have a room in their home and the space in their own lives to offer such regular respite.