Respite Breaks for Carers of Adults

Families or couples may want to have a break together with some extra support, or they may choose to have some time apart. Breaks will vary from a few hours to a few weeks and may be arranged on a regular, planned basis, as a holiday or to deal with an unexpected emergency." (Shared Care Scotland)

If you are the carer of an adult with a disability you may be entitled to short breaks from your caring responsibilities. This is often called respite. Respite allows carers to have a short break from caring duties, e.g. to go on holiday or to have some time off for a few hours during the week. Respite can sometimes be organised at very short notice when there is an emergency.

Eligibility and Assessment

When offering support and services to cared-for adults and older people assessed as having eligible needs and outcomes West Lothian Council operates a Contributions Policy and financially assesses everyone to determine whether they require to make a contribution towards the cost of their non-residential care and support. Support which takes the form of personal and nursing care, however, is exempt from contribution.

Waiving of Charges to Carers

The Carers (Waiving of Charges for Support) (Scotland) Regulations 2014 require the council to waive charges (or contributions) relating to support provided to carers to meet any eligible needs and personal outcomes they have in relation to their caring role - these needs and outcomes will ordinarily be identified by completion of an Adult Carer Support Plan or Young Carer Statement.

The support to carers for which charges must be waived includes short breaks from caring.

West Lothian's Contributions Policy, therefore, will not apply to carers where the support they are receiving is being provided on the basis of the carer's eligibility for support in relation to continuing in their caring role.

Contributions and Replacement Care

Replacement care is care provided to the cared-for person which replaces the care which the carer is otherwise willing and able to provide so that the carer can have a break from caring. Therefore, care would not be considered replacement care if, for example, the carer was not willing or able to provide care because 

• The carer wishes to work full or part-time and to reduce the amount of care they provide
• The carer is ill, in hospital or recovering at home
• The carer can no longer provide the same level or type of care due to health or other reasons

In such cases, the care provided to the cared-for person would be subject to the council's Contributions Policy. Assessment, Eligibility and Financial Contributions

Types of Respite Care

Support At Home

We can arrange for care and support to be provided in your own home. This normally involves a trained carer coming into your home for short periods during the week or at weekends to allow you to go out. It could also, for example, involve the person being cared for having help to have some time out in the local community.

Support in a Specialist Residential Setting

It is possible for respite care to be provided in a residential setting where staff are available round the clock to offer care and support. People with profound and multiple disabilities can have a short break in Letham Court in Livingston. Burnside Court in Uphall offers short breaks to people with more moderate learning disabilities.

Further information

If you would like further information or advice on short breaks from caring, please contact Adult Social Care Enquiry