Respite care

Having a break from your caring role is important for your wellbeing and quality of life. It can help you recharge your batteries and continue in your caring role for as long as you wish to.

If you need a break, you can arrange respite (replacement care for the person you care for) privately, through friends and family or via the council.

Eligibility

Anyone looking after a friend, family member or neighbour who needs their help due to illness, disability or old age may be eligible for respite.

Croydon Neighbourhood Care

Croydon Neighbourhood Care (020 8662 1000) are local neighbourhood care groups that provide support for older and disabled people in Croydon. Some local groups offer a sitting service - contact Croydon Neighbourhood Care to see if this is available locally. View a list of groups on the Croydon Neighbourhood Care Association website.

Horizon Care offers a home care respite service with a particular focus on carers of people from a black or ethnic minority background (BME). Contact 020 8665 0921.

Respite via Croydon Council

Council-funded respite can be provided in the home, at a day centres for older people or at an adult day care resource centre. For information on respite for carers of a child with special educational needs or disabilities, contact the 0 to 25 SEND Team (020 8726 6400).

Paying for respite

We have a charging policy for home care and residential care services. The person you care for will be financially assessed for their ability to pay for respite services. How much they will pay will depend on their benefits, savings and/or income.

You can request respite via a needs assessment under the Care Act 2014 of the person you care for.

Carer’s assessment

You can get your own needs assessed as a carer via a carer’s assessment.

Arranging respite privately

You can also access respite care privately through a home care provider. The Care Quality Commission has a searchable database of care providers and their inspection reports.