Answers to the questions families ask most often about arranging respite care in the UK, from costs and funding to choosing a provider. If you can’t find what you need, get in touch.
Respite care is short term care for someone you look after, so you can take a break. It might be a carer visiting for a few hours, an overnight stay, or a short stay in a care home lasting days or weeks. Our guide What is respite care? explains more.
It is for family carers and the people they support, whether that is an older parent, a partner, or an adult child with a disability or long term condition. It is not only for emergencies; regular planned breaks can help you keep caring for longer.
Care homes provide 24 hour support with daily living in a residential setting. Nursing homes do the same but also have registered nurses on duty, so they suit people with more complex health needs. Home care brings a carer into the home, so the person you care for can stay somewhere familiar while you take a break.
Costs vary by area, provider and the level of support needed, so ask each provider for a quote. When comparing, check what is included, whether there is a minimum stay or visit length, and the notice needed to book or cancel.
It may. In England, ask your council for a carer’s assessment and a needs assessment for the person you care for. If you are eligible, the council may arrange or fund breaks, usually after a financial assessment, and some people receive Direct Payments to arrange care themselves. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have similar routes. Our funding guide covers the options.
If someone’s needs are mainly health related, they may qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare, which can cover care costs including respite. Ask their GP, nurse or social worker about an assessment.
Contact the adult social care team at your local council, online or by phone, and ask for a carer’s assessment. It is free, and you can have one even if the person you care for does not get support from the council. Our guide How a carer’s assessment can help you get respite care walks you through it.
No. Carer’s Allowance is a benefit paid to some carers and is not linked to the cost of respite. You can check whether you are eligible on GOV.UK.
It depends on the provider and your area. Some home care agencies can start within days, and some care homes have short stay rooms available at short notice, while others have waiting lists. Contact two or three providers at once, and if it is an emergency, tell your council’s adult social care team.
Home care visits can be an hour or two, a full day or overnight. Care home stays commonly range from a few nights to a few weeks. Ask each provider about minimum and maximum stays.
Look for experience with your loved one’s needs, ask whether they can provide the same carers each time, and read their latest inspection report. In England this is on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) website; in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland check the Care Inspectorate, Care Inspectorate Wales or RQIA. Our guide How to choose the right respite care provider has a checklist.
Clothes for each day, toiletries, medication with an up to date list, glasses, hearing aids and chargers, plus a few familiar things such as photos or a favourite blanket. A short note about routines, likes and dislikes helps staff get to know your loved one quickly.
That is very common. Talk about it early, visit together beforehand if you can, and start with a shorter stay or a few home visits. Familiar items and a consistent routine help people settle.
Yes. Searching and sending enquiries is free for families, with no obligation. Search by town or postcode, filter by type of care or condition, and send a free enquiry to the providers that suit you. They reply to you directly.
No. Respite-Care is a directory for families arranging care. We don’t recruit staff or offer sponsorship, so please contact care providers directly about job vacancies.
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