Single Derby woman Kay Tomlinson works part-time for the witness service at Derby Magistrates' Court and is a link-carer for Derby City Council, which has led to her caring for Jennifer Cooper once a month. She explains why it's so rewarding.
"I have a nursing background. I used to be a community sister working with people with disabilities.
"When I visited parents' homes they would often say how nice it would be to have a break.
"Around that time, three years ago, Derby social services had the idea of linking people up to families. You would be like an aunty to them. I applied."

Kay continued: "Jennifer comes to me after school on a Friday, which is chill-out night. We get a meal ready together, she unpacks her bag and then we usually watch the soaps.
"I try to promote independent behaviour as much as possible. We take it in turns to wash up and I've encouraged her to use the bus.
"On a Saturday morning she usually goes to the library on the bus. The first few times I went with her. Then I sat away from her and watched to see if she got off the bus at the right stop.

"Now she goes off to the library on her own and chooses her own books.
"She's also learning to iron, makes cups of tea and her own breakfast.
"She wanted to learn to knit so I taught her and now she wants to learn to weave so that's the next thing.
"I like to sit and listen to her reading and the progress she has made has been reflected in her school report, which is nice. We practise writing too.
"I recently taught her how to play Scrabble because that's good for spelling and adding up. She keeps the score.
"The great thing about the respite care system is that it not only gives the parents a break, it gives the child a new environment and new experiences."

Could you help?
Derby City Council urgently needs more respite carers to look after children with disabilities.

Carers can be single, married, living together or separated. They can be homeowners or tenants, with or without children, employed or unemployed. People are needed living in or outside of Derby. They do not need specially adapted homes or direct experience of working with children with disabilities.

All carers are entitled to an allowance and travelling expenses to take a child by car or taxi to their home are paid for. Special allowances are also paid to meet a wide range of additional costs. The following children are in need of care:

Peter (14) has severe learning disabilities and, due to a bereavement, urgently needs a long-term foster carer to look after him throughout his teenage years. Therefore he needs a long term carer who can recognise his many qualities and needs.

Yasmin (14) has autism. She is a friendly, healthy girl but needs constant supervision and support because she has a habit of wandering off. She needs a one or two-parent family who will be able to look after her closely when she is not at school. Carers for children like Peter and Yasmin need to be patient and committed to offering these children a long-term loving home.

If you can help, ring 01332 718000.