What is meant by Respite Care?

When we use the term respite we mean care that is provided on a short term basis for disabled  people who normally live at home, so that their carers can have a break from caring.  Some people prefer the term "short breaks" to the term "respite".   However, “short breaks” usually refers to shorter periods of care for a few hours or a couple of days, whereas the “respite “ usually means longer periods of alternative care.

When we use the word carer in this information sheet we mean someone who provides regular and substantial care, unpaid, for another adult who is disabled and would be entitled to receive services from Social Services under the Community Care Act 1990. 

Respite care is therefore care that is given to one person for the benefit of another person, the carer.  Naturally the person who is receiving the respite care must consent to any care that they receive.   In many cases the cared for person also benefits from the service, for example by getting out of the house, meeting people or taking part in interesting activities. 

It is always our aim that the experience should be a positive one for both the carer and the cared for person.

What kind of respite care is available and how can I apply?

Respite/short breaks can take various forms and it is our aim to provide a range of services to meet different needs and preferences.  It is  provided after an assessment of the need of the carer for a break and also an assessment of the care needs and the wishes of the cared for person. 

To request an assessment, telephone the Adult Duty Team on 01225 477000.

For more information about assessments of need, see our information sheet "Handy Guide to Community Care Leaflet"   available from any Social Services office (see details at the end of this sheet.) or  the council'swebsite 

Charges for Respite Care and Short Breaks

Charging depends on the kind of care:

Residential respite:  This means temporary care in a care home.   Residential or nursing home care  is only provided where this level of care is needed to ensure the safety and well-being of the disabled person in the absence of their carer.  This type of respite care are always charged for, according to the financial means of the person who is cared for.  The disabled person will be asked to complete a financial assessment and will be notified what contribution they are required to make.  You can ask to be given an estimate of what you will be asked to pay.  Please ask.

Day Care:  Day care may be provided in variety of settings.  We will offer as much choice as possible although this may be limited.  Day care is not charged for, but there is a charge for transport where this is provided, currently £3.00 per day.   It is expected that people who can make their own transport arrangements will do so.    

Domiciliary care:  This is care provided at home that gives help with personal care and domestic tasks that the disabled person is unable to do for themselves.  Domiciliary care is chargeable according to the means of the disabled person.  Where domiciliary care is provided as form of respite because for example a carer is going on holiday, it is still chargeable, although people on certain benefits are exempt from charges. 

We normally commission this service either from our in-house Home Care service or through a contract with one of the  local independent registered providers (care agencies).  We cannot guarantee you a choice of provider, but if you have particular preferences we will try to accommodate them.  We will also do our best to provide services that fit in with your way of life and your cultural needs.

Sitting or respite at home services:  These services provide a few hours break for a carer by means of a trained care worker coming into the home to provide company and  any care or supervision that is required during the period of the carer's absence. It is only provided where alternative care is needed to ensure safety and to meet  essential personal care or mental health needs. Sitting services are available in limited amounts  - up to around 6 hours a week  - and are not charged for.  Special kinds of service of this type are available for people with dementia, people with learning difficulties and for disabled children. The worker who assesses you can give further information.  

In Bath & North East Somerset this service is provided by either by certain voluntary organisations under an  agreement with Social Services, or sometimes by registered domiciliary care providers (care agencies).   We cannot guarantee to commission care from any particular provider but again will try to accommodate your preferences where possible.

In certain circumstances, respite care provided in an emergency is not charged for.  See Emergency Respite below.

What Choice is there?

We are continually working to provide as much choice as possible within the resources available.  For example, where residential care is to be provided in a care home you can choose any home you wish provided it is registered for the type of care required.  However there is a limit to how much we will pay towards the respite stay, so if you choose a home which charges more than we normally pay, someone will have to pay the difference.   This is called a Third party Contribution - for more information see our information sheet, "Third Party Contributions", also available as printed copy from any Social Services office. 

We do not generally provide 24 hour care at home – disabled people who require high levels of care will be offered residential respite care to meet their needs.  A Direct Payment may enable you to have more choice – see section on Direct payments below.

Respite Care in an Emergency

In cases of where an unforeseen emergency arises which prevents a carer from providing the care and support which they normally do, Social Services can provide care up to 72 hours which is not subject to the normal charges.  For more information see Emergency Respite Care

Going Away Together

As a Social Services department  we primarily provide care for disabled people, because there is no one else to provide it, or to assist their carers who are often family members.

Quite often the carer and the person they care for are particularly close and wish to go away together.  We do not provide or pay for this kind of holiday break as a rule.  We may pay for an element of care for the cared for person at a holiday venue in order to enable the carer to have a break from caring, but we do not normally pay for the carer's own holiday if they should wish to take it at the same time.

Rarely, the carer and the cared for person are both disabled or elderly/ and frail, and the carer is eligible for residential care in his/her own right.  In these cases, if we think it is required, we may provide part of the cost of the carer's stay in a specialist holiday care home setting as well as part of the cared for person's stay.   As in all residential care, a contribution to the cost is always required.