Support in my own home

Respite care & short breaks

What is this?

If you care for someone at home, you can ask for a break from this. This would be to give you a break and allow you to have a rest from your caring role, whilst knowing the person you care for is being looked after. It can take the form of the person you care for going away for a respite break, or it can be someone to come and look after your relative at home to allow you to go away. Respite can sometimes be a few hours at a time, or a few days if needed.

Westminster supports Carers Network Westminster, who will also be able to talk to you about services available.
You may sometimes be able to apply for a grant for both you and the person you care for to go away somewhere, to give you both a break together.

Westminster also supports Westminster Carers Service who offer regular relief care to people in a caring role. This service offers practical support to carers by providing trained relief carers to allow you to have a break for a few hours each week.

How do I get it?

You should discuss this with the care manager who assists the person you care for. They will take your needs and the needs of the person you care for into account and based on that assessment will be able to advise you if they can help. If you don’t have a care manager already, you can contact the Social Services office that covers the area where the person you care for lives, to discuss your request.

Who do I contact?

See contacts below, or visit our Who to contact page.

Is there a charge?

Services to support carers may be provided free of charge and you should discuss this with the care manager and the charging team. The person you care for may be asked to contribute towards the cost of the care provision if they are staying at home. There may be charge if the person you care for goes away for a respite stay.

For more information

Visit the Carers page

Carers Network
Westminster City Council supports Carers Network in giving advice and support to all those in a caring role in Westminster. A worker at Carers Network can give you information, practical advice and support in your caring role. They will signpost you as to where to get appropriate services.

Carers Network Westminster
Office 8, Beethoven Centre
Third Avenue
London W10 4JL
Tel 020 8960 3033
E-mail: info@carers-network.co.uk

Westminster Carers Service
Monmouth House
9, Monmouth Road
London W2 4UT

Tel: 020 7243 2500
Fax: 020 7243 2555
E-mail: westcarers@westcarers.co.uk