Respite care
Respite care enables carers to take a break from their caring tasks for a few hours, days or weeks. It may involve having someone else come and look after the person you are caring for, in their own home, or it may involve the person you look after going to stay in a residential home for a while.
You can arrange respite care yourself, or you can ask us to arrange it for you.
The council may agree to arrange respite care, following an assessment of the person you care for, and also of your own needs under the Carers’ Act if you wish.
Types of respite care
Respite Care is offered in a number of different ways:
- in a residential or nursing home
- in your own home – if this is more appropriate than a residential home
- in a hospital, if there are very complex medical or nursing needs. (This type of respite care would need to be arranged through your GP.)
The amount of respite care offered will vary according to need.
Respite care credit scheme
You may wish to make your own arrangements for respite care. Following an assessment of your needs, you will be allocated a number of vouchers, which can be exchanged for respite services as and when you require them (subject to availability).
Direct payments for respite care
Direct payments can be used to buy respite care needs identified as part of an assessment. Direct payments gives choice on whether to pay for care in the home or in residential or nursing home care.
Will I be charged for services?
You may be required to pay for some of the services you receive. How much you pay will depend on your income and the amount of help you need. We will ask you to complete a financial assessment form. You may be entitled to benefits, and if so we will help you to claim them. We will give you advice about this.
How do I access services?
If you think you need a service or have a general enquiry about respite care, contact the appropriate social work team.
Local organisations for advice
Barnet Carers Centre
3rd Floor, Global House, 303 Ballards Lane
London N12 8NP
- Tel: 020 8343 9698
Barnet Care and Support Services
Avenue House, East End Road
Finchley, London N3 3QE
- Tel: 020 8346 0055
- Email: lynn@barnetcare.co.uk
- Website: www.barnetcare.org.uk
Jewish Care
221 Golders Green Road
London, NW11 9DQ
- Tel: 020 8922 2222
The Relatives and Residents Association
5 Tavistock Place
London WC1H 9SN
- Tel: 020 7926 6055
Friend in Need Community Centre
East Barnet Baptist Church
Crescent Road, East Barnet
Herts EN4 8PS
- Tel: 020 8449 8225
Age Concern
The Meritage Centre,Church End,
Hendon, London NW4 4JT
- Tel: 020 8203 5040
Alzheimer’s Society
Advice and Information Centre,
Edgware Community Hospital
Burnt Oak Broadway
Edgware, Middx. HA8 0AD
- Tel: 020 8937 7171
- Email: alzheimersinbarnet@yahoo.co.uk
Comments, Compliments and Complaints
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