Carer Breaks
There are a number of ways in which carers can take time out from their caring role, depending on what suits them and the person that they care for.
Some options include the following:
Looking after another person
Providing emotional support for someone in their own home
Helping to make their meals
Helping them with washing, feeding or dressing
Making sure that medication is taken or collected on time
Is the parent of a disabled child
Helping a relative, e.g. mum or dad, brother or sister, because they are ill or disabled
A paid care worker may support the person with a learning disability to take part in some community activity, whilst the carer has a break from their caring role.
They may also provide support in the person’s own home whilst the carer goes out, or is able to spend time doing an activity of their choice, rather than looking after the person with a learning disability.
A paid care worker may stay overnight with the person with a learning disability in their own home whilst the carer goes away for a break, or is able to stay in bed rather than getting up to provide assistance to the person with a learning disability.
The person that they care for may go into a residential home (such as Newton Lane) for one or more nights.
Whilst the Learning Disability Service can arrange breaks as described above, there are two other ways that carers may want to use in order to take their breaks more flexibly
Direct Payments
These are payments made to the person who is cared for, so that they can arrange support to meet their needs, whilst their carer has a break. The person cared for can have as much or as little support as they need to arrange the break and may choose to have their carer do this for them. Further information can be found in the
following leaflet (PDF document)
Carer Break VouchersThis is a scheme which gives carers more flexibility in arranging breaks at a time which suits them and the person they care for. The following care providers have already signed up and are able to offer support at home or in the community to people with a Learning Disability:
MENCAP
Southern Cross Health Care
Care Concern
If you would like to use a different care provider (for example, for day care provision or a short break in a care home), please ask them if they are interested, and then contact Lisa Holdsworth on 01325 346490.
Please note, in order to receive vouchers, the person you care for must have been assessed by the Learning Disability Service.