what you need to know about…
Respite care and short breaks
Why respite matters
Caring for someone can be deeply rewarding, but it is also physically and emotionally demanding. Regular breaks—known as respite—are essential for your wellbeing and for sustaining the quality of care you provide. Respite care allows you to recharge, manage other responsibilities, and maintain your own health, while also giving the person you care for a change of routine and new social opportunities.
The benefits of respite care
Types of respite care
- Reduces stress and prevents burnout
Continuous caring without breaks can lead to exhaustion and impact both your health and the quality of care you provide. - Supports your mental and physical health
Time for hobbies, rest, or socialising helps you maintain your identity and wellbeing outside your caring role. - Improves relationships
A break can refresh your perspective and strengthen your relationship with the person you care for.
Arranging and funding respite care
You may choose to organise respite yourself, either by asking family or friends to help or by employing a paid care worker. Local organisations, such as Barnet Carers Centre, can provide hourly home care and advice on arranging private respite.
Self-arranged respite
You may choose to organise respite yourself, either by asking family or friends to help or by employing a paid care worker. Local organisations, such as Barnet Carers Centre, can provide hourly home care and advice on arranging private respite.
Support from Local Authorities
- Assessment: To access council-funded respite, both you and the person you care for will need assessments (a Carer’s Needs Assessment for you, and a financial assessment for the cared-for person).
- Eligibility: The council may fund all or part of the respite care, depending on your circumstances. Even if you do not qualify for funding, assessments can help identify the most suitable type of respite care.
Grants and Charitable Support
- Several charities offer grants or subsidised holidays for carers and those they care for. Examples include:
- 3H Fund: Subsidised group holidays for disabled people.
- Disability Aid Trust: Grants for holiday care assistants.
- Revitalise: Holiday centres for people with disabilities and their carers.
- Turn2us: Financial support resources.
Respite care can be flexible and tailored to your needs. Options include:
- Residential care homes
Short stays in a care home for the person you care for. - Day centres
Structured activities and social opportunities for several hours. - Paid carers
Professional carers can support your loved one at home, either through agencies or private arrangements. - Sitting/befriending services
Volunteers or professionals provide company and supervision for a few hours. - Family and friends
Informal support networks can also provide valuable breaks.
Some of the challenges…
Surveys and feedback from carers highlight several barriers:
- Finding reliable providers
- Affordability and availability
- Lack of information
- Emotional difficulty leaving the person you care for
To address these, consider:
- Using approved provider directories (e.g., Care Quality Commission, Homecare Association).
- Seeking peer support through local carer groups or online forums.
- Accessing clear, step-by-step guides on arranging respite and understanding funding options.
FAQs
What is respite care
Respite care is a temporary break from your caring responsibilities, during which the person you care for is looked after by someone else. It’s vital for maintaining your own wellbeing, preventing burnout, and ensuring you can continue to provide high-quality care in the long term. Regular breaks help you recharge, spend time with family or friends, and pursue personal interests.
What types of respite care are available?
There are several options to suit different needs:
- Residential care homes: Short stays for the cared-for person.
- Day centres: Activities and social opportunities for a few hours.
- Paid carers: Professional support at home, arranged privately or through agencies.
- Sitting/befriending services: Volunteers or professionals provide company for a few hours.
- Support from family and friends: Informal arrangements can also be valuable.
How do I arrange respite care?
You can:
- Organise respite yourself by asking family or friends to help.
- Employ a paid care worker privately or through an agency.
- Contact your local authority (e.g., Barnet Council) for an assessment, which may lead to funded respite care.
- Reach out to organisations like Barnet Carers Centre for advice and support.
Will I have to pay for respite care?
I feel guilty about taking a break. Is this normal?
How can I find reliable respite care providers?
- Use directories from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Homecare Association to find approved providers.
- Ask for recommendations from local carer support organisations.
- Check provider ratings and reviews online.
- Contact Barnet Carers Centre or your local authority for guidance.
Useful Links
Barnet Council, Adult Social Care: socialcaredirect@barnet.gov.uk | 020 8359 5000
Care Quality Commission: cqc.org.uk | 03000 616 161 | enquiries@cqc.org.uk
Homecare Association: homecareassociation.org.uk | 020 8661 8188 | enquiries@homecareassociation.org.uk
www.homecare.co.uk | www.carehome.co.uk
3H Fund: the3hfoundation.org.uk | 01892 860 207 | info@the3hfoundation.org.uk
Disability Aid Trust: disabilityaidtrust.org.uk | 0800 028 0647
Revitalise: revitalise.org.uk | 0303 303 0145 | bookings@revitalise.org.uk
Turn2us: turn2us.org.uk | 0808 802 2000.
Support for Carers in Barnet
Barnet Carers provides support for carers across the borough and you can find more details of the services that we currently offer here. Many other organisations also offer support to carers. We have created a directory of organisations that can help and that carers can be referred to. Use the button below to access the directory.
