Respite breaks and Shared Lives

Respite is short term care arranged to give carers a break.  

Respite can be: 

• care in a care home for a week or longer to enable a carer to go on holiday or have a longer rest
• care at a day centre
• care at a person’s home by a trained person for a few hours to give a carer a short break – this can include sitting and talking to the person being cared for, help to get a cared for person up, washed and dressed and preparing meals
• the person you care for taking part in one-off or regular social activities provided by a range of organisations  

The length and type of break will be agreed as part of an assessment and is based on individual needs and eligibility.  

Who to contact about respite support

If you or the person you care for might benefit from respite support, please ring our Care Connect service. They can provide more information and discuss the process (including the financial aspects) with you.  

If you would prefer to arrange respite support independently, please view the online directory for respite care services.

Shared Lives is a scheme where a paid carer shares their home, family life, interests, and skills to help a person live independently. 

Overnight, weekend or short breaks can be arranged to provide a break from taking care of someone.