Home Sharing

Home sharing is a community based service that provides short breaks (respite) to children and adults with an intellectual disability and/or autism.

What is Home Sharing?

Home sharing is a community-based service that provides short breaks (respite) to children and adults with an intellectual disability and/or autism. These short breaks take place in the homes of approved Home Sharing Families.

What is a Home Sharing Family?

A Home Sharing Family is an individual/family that has been recruited, assessed, trained and vetted by Horizons. This person is approved to have the personal qualities and skills to care for a person with an intellectual disability and/or autism on a short-term basis.

How Home Sharing Works

Home Sharing is unique in that each short break is provided by Home Sharing Families in their own home, providing a warm, family environment. Breaks can be:

  • A few hours
  • Overnight
  • A weekend
  • Or even longer

Each break is arranged around a person’s preferences and each Home Sharing Family’s preferences and availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply to become a Home Sharing Family?

Home Sharing Families come from a wide variety of backgrounds and can be working, retired, with or without children, single or with a partner. Home Sharing Families are fully vetted, assessed and trained volunteers who are carefully matched with each child or adult looking to avail of a short break or who require a full-time placement (also known as ‘shared living’).

What if I don’t have any experience working with people who have an intellectual disability or autism?

It is not a requirement to have experience of working with people with a disability. Personal qualities such as being warm and caring, having time and commitment, being reliable and motivated to care are what are required.

How are Home Sharing Families assessed?

Once we have received your application, a member of the Home Sharing Team will meet with you to discuss the process. A Social Worker will visit the applicant’s home between 3-6 times to get to know you and your family. A report will be compiled and shared with you. It will be then forwarded to the Approvals Panel.

Interested in Home Sharing

Have Questions?

Feel free to contact us to talk about how Home Sharing could work for you or someone you support:

Emily Sexton, Social Work Team Leader
Phone: 086 0831419 or Email: homesharing@horizonscork.ie

More Information

You’ll find more details and application forms below:

  • Become a Home Sharing Family
  • I’m supported by Horizons and want to learn more

  • "I live in the community and I love it. I was a small bit nervous about the move but talking to staff and listening to my music really helped."

    David