Respite Care in Oxford

Oxford carers in Headington, Summertown, Cowley, Marston, Botley and Kidlington often want a break that keeps their loved one in familiar surroundings. This page lets you compare respite providers across the city and nearby villages.

Home care visits give you regular time off, and live in care offers one to one support at home for longer breaks. Short stays in care homes and nursing homes around Oxford can support people with dementia, Parkinson’s or recovery after a stroke.

Carers Oxfordshire offers free information and support to adult carers of someone living in the county, and Oxfordshire County Council can carry out a carer’s assessment.

Local support, NHS and funding in Oxford

Oxfordshire County Council is responsible for adult social care in Oxford. 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 Oxfordshire County 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.

Carers Oxfordshire also supports unpaid carers locally with advice and help to take a break. 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.

Booking respite care in Oxford

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 Oxford 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.

You can contact each provider directly. Filter by care type or condition, then send a free, no obligation enquiry. Our carer’s assessment guide explains how to ask for one.