Doncaster covers the town centre and a wide spread of communities such as Bessacarr, Armthorpe, Thorne and Mexborough. Wherever you live, respite care gives you a proper break while the person you care for is supported.
Families often begin with home care so they can take a few hours for themselves. For holidays or a longer rest, live in care offers one to one support at home, and short stays in care homes or residential care settings near Doncaster suit people who need more help, including those recovering from a stroke or living with Parkinson’s.
Doncaster Council supports unpaid carers through its carers offer, including carer’s assessments that can lead to help with the cost of breaks.
City of Doncaster Council is responsible for adult social care in Doncaster. Ask them for a needs assessment for the person you care for and a carer’s assessment for yourself. If you are eligible, the council may arrange or help pay for respite, usually after a financial assessment, and some families use direct payments to arrange care themselves. Visit the City of Doncaster Council website.
If your loved one’s needs are mainly health related, ask their GP or social worker about NHS continuing healthcare, which is arranged and paid for by the NHS. The NHS guide to carer breaks and respite care also sets out the options.
Benefits can help with the cost. Attendance Allowance is not means tested and is paid to people over State Pension age who need help with care, and Carer’s Allowance may be available if you care for 35 hours a week or more. Our guide to funding respite care and carer’s assessment guide explain more.
Your local Age UK may offer carers support and sitting services, and you can search for charity grants towards the cost of a break through Turn2us.
Before you book, check the provider’s latest inspection report from the CQC and ask about availability, the minimum length of stay and what is included in the price. Short stay places in Doncaster can fill up around school holidays and Christmas, so it helps to enquire a few weeks ahead. If this is your first break, a few home care visits or a short trial stay can help your loved one settle.
Every provider listed here can be contacted directly through respite-care.co.uk. Use the filters to narrow by type of care or condition, then send a free, no obligation enquiry to the providers that suit you. If you are new to arranging a break, our guide to getting a carer’s assessment explains how to ask the council for help with the cost.