Short breaks and respite services

Short breaks are designed for people with a learning disability and their families, to give them a change from their daily routine and to give parents and carers a break from the demands of their role.

Short breaks are incredibly important - caring, even for someone you love, can be an exhausting experience , which can leave you little time for yourself or other members of your family.

A good short break should be regular, reliable and frequent. It should also be flexible enough to fit in with your family's needs, and accessible in case of an emergency.

Where are short breaks services available?

We can provide support in the family home or in the community . In some areas we also have building-based short breaks facilities. We can also enable individuals to take a short break away from home.

Can I access short breaks and respite services?

To find out if you are entitled to a short break, you should contact your local authority for an assessment , or ask during your carer's assessment or the care assessment of the person you support.

You can also access short breaks and respite services using a personal budget , or by paying with private funds.

Breaking point

If you have not received a short break, and feel like you can no longer cope, it is important to get help as quickly as possible - you can start by speaking to your GP, and any other professionals that have been working with you and your child.