CQC Quality Statements

Theme 1 – Working with People: Supporting people to live healthier lives

We Statement

We support people to manage their health and wellbeing so they can maximise their independence, choice and control. We support them to live healthier lives and where possible, reduce future needs for care and support.

What people expect

I can get information and advice about my health, care and support and how I can be as well as possible – physically, mentally and emotionally. I am supported to plan ahead for important changes in my life that I can anticipate.

TRAFFORD SPECIFIC INFORMATION

Trafford Carers Centre

1. Introduction

Caring for someone living in the community can be a full time job, often done in conjunction with paid employment and other domestic responsibilities. This chapter applies to carers who have a dependent other who either lives with them, or who lives elsewhere (either on their own or in supported accommodation) but who needs regular visits, support and companionship.

It can be difficult for carers to prioritise their own needs but breaks are vital to the carer’s own wellbeing and to prevent, reduce or delay onset of their own health needs (see the chapters on Promoting Wellbeing and Preventing, Reducing or Delaying Needs). It can give the adult who is being cared for an opportunity to enjoy new experiences, have a change of scene and routine and mix with other people.

2. Different Types of Breaks

There are different ways in which carers can take breaks. Some may be very short but regular, for example an hour or two each week, occasional full days, a one or two week holiday (the carer either goes away or stays at home with no caring responsibilities) or a combination or all of these.

3. Different Care Options whilst Taking a Break

There are a number of different care options available for the adult, whilst the carer has a break.

3.1 Arranging care themselves

Adults and carers can make private arrangements such as:

  • employing a paid care worker (directly or through an agency);
  • paying for short-term residential care;
  • arranging a holiday for the adult.

3.2 Family and friends

Some carers may be able to ask friends or family to care for the adult they are looking after in order to go on a short break or holiday, either by them going to stay at the other person’s house or family and friends going to stay with them or visit them regularly.

3.2 Support from organisations

The local authority’s advice and information service can provide information about a range of local services and organisations to support adults and carers living in the community, where carers are planning breaks of any type.

Organisations can provide services for either the carer or the adult, or provide information to help them decide what alternative care services to use.

3.3 Respite care via the local authority

The local authority can arrange ‘respite care’ for the adult so that the carer can have a break.

In order to receive respite care the local authority needs to conduct assessments with both the adult and the carer, to ensure they are both eligible (see Assessment chapter).

Carers can request a carer’s assessment from the local authority where the adult is ordinarily resident (see Ordinary Residence chapter).

A carer’s assessment should consider:

  • the caring role;
  • how caring affects their work and personal life, including wellbeing;
  • physical, mental and emotional health;
  • how they feel about their caring role, including their choice about being a carer;
  • work, study, training and leisure commitments and goals;
  • personal relationships;
  • housing situation;
  • contingency planning / planning for emergencies.

If the local authority assesses that the carer is in need of support, this may be provided directly to the carer, to the adult or a combination of both.

Respite care can be provided through:

  • day care – where the adult attends a service or participates in activities away from home, enabling the carer to have a break;
  • day-sitting service – which enables the carer to go shopping, meet friends or have time to do other things they want to do;
  • night-sitting service –to care for the adult during the night, to enable the carer to rest and sleep throughout the night;
  • residential or nursing care – where the adult goes for a short stay in a residential or nursing home;
  • holidays – help and support for the carer and / or adult to go on holiday either together or separately;
  • direct payments – following assessment a person with a disability or ill health can receive payments so that they can arrange and pay for their own care and support services (see Direct Payments chapter).

3.3.1 Paying for respite care

The local authority where the adult is ordinarily resident may charge them for any respite care services provided. It can also request carers pay for services they receive. If it does charge, it must follow the Care and Support Statutory Guidance  in regard to how income/ capital is taken into account. Carers should be told about this as part of their assessment.

4. Costs of a Break

If a carer needs financial assistance in order to be able to take a break, either alone or with the adult, there may be some help they can receive.

They should raise it as part of their carer’s assessment to see if there is any financial help the local authority can provide.

There may be grants or schemes available locally to help carers with the cost of a holiday. The local information and advice service should provide information about such possibilities (see the chapters on Information and Advice and Charging and Financial Assessment).

5. Benefits

Payment of benefits can sometimes be affected if the carer has a break or they or the adult goes into hospital or residential care.

Up to date advice about carers, adults and Department for Work and Pensions benefits is available from

6. Further Reading

6.1 Relevant chapter

Assessment

6.2 Relevant information

Supporting Adult Carers (NICE)

Social Work Practice with Carers (Research in Practice for Adults and Department of Health and Social Care)

Quick Guide: Supporting People who Provide Unpaid Care for Adults with Health or Social Care Needs (NICE and SCIE)

Carers’ Breaks and Respite Care (NHS)

Was this helpful?
Yes
No
Thanks for your feedback!
Reading Confirmation
  • This form allows staff to confirm they have read chapters in this APPP. This can be useful for newly employed staff as part of their induction, supervision, CPD and for team discussions for example.

    When you complete and submit the form, the confirmation will be emailed to you at the address provided.

  • Hidden