Respite care is the term used for services designed to give you a break from caring for a child or adult and comes in many forms.

A carer can come in to look after you or your loved one and/or take them out to an activity group or day centre regularly to suit your routine, request, or needs.

This can allow you to go on holiday, with or without the person you care for. If you’re going away without the person you care for, the alternative is a temporary stay in a residential care provision which could result in instability and disruption of routine.

​In some areas, respite care is provided as a result of your carer’s assessment, while in others it’s provided through a needs assessment for the person you look after. If your assessment or that of your loved one determines the need for respite care, the local council should provide it subject to assessment.

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You might be able to get financial support from the council to help you take a break, but respite services are means-tested so you or the person you care for may have to contribute towards the cost.