Short-term & recovery
Respite Care
Short-term care so family carers can rest, recharge or take time away with confidence.
What this is
Respite care provides temporary care and support, giving regular family carers a planned break while their loved one continues to be looked after at home.
It can last from a few hours to several weeks, depending on what is needed.
Who might benefit
- Family carers who need a planned break, holiday, or time to attend to their own needs
- People whose main carer is unwell or temporarily unavailable
- Families wanting to trial home care before committing to an ongoing package
How we help
- We can arrange planned or, where possible, short-notice respite cover
- We aim to keep continuity with the person's existing routines and preferences
- We provide a clear handover so care continues smoothly during the respite period
How care starts
- Contact us as early as possible to plan ahead, where time allows
- We complete or review a care plan, including any routines to maintain
- We agree the dates, carer arrangements and handover
Your assessment
- We assess the person's usual routine, needs and any risks
- We discuss the length and purpose of the break with the family
- We agree how family will be kept informed during the respite period
Family involvement
- Respite care is usually arranged directly with the regular family carer
- We provide updates during the period of respite if requested
- We can discuss ongoing options if respite highlights a need for more regular support
Common questions
How much notice do you need for respite care?
Planned respite is easiest to arrange with advance notice, though we will always try to help with shorter-notice requests subject to availability.
Can respite care be a one-off, or regular?
Both — some families use respite occasionally, others arrange it regularly, for example a weekend each month.
Will my relative's routine be kept the same during respite?
Yes, we base respite care on their usual routine and preferences wherever possible.
Can respite care lead to an ongoing care package?
Yes, if respite highlights an ongoing need, we can discuss moving to a regular home care package.
Talk to us about care
Call us on 01902 275780 or send a request — our office team will talk things through with you.