What are Short Term Breaks?

They provide short periods of care for people with long-term illnesses or disabilities to enable their regular carer to take a break. The care is provided for a specified period of time which can vary from an hour, a day or two or even longer.

Who decides who can have a Short Term Breaks?

A social worker or care manager will identify the needs of the carer and cared for person. They then record these needs in the care plan which sets out the services you will receive. A copy of the care plan will be sent to you and we will also receive a copy.

Who organises Short Term Breaks?

The Social Services Brokerage Service will organise the breaks. Our staff wil either:

• find a care agency or home that meets the needs of the cared for person and arrange a booking or
• support you in organising your own arrangements.

What type of care breaks can be arranged?

We want to make sure the breaks you receive meet your needs as closely as possible. The breaks can be very flexible and may be provided in one or more of the following ways:

• in your home
• in a residential home that offers short term care
• in a nursing home which offers the same services as residential homes but with the additional services of qualified medical staff.

Alternatively, you can use Direct Payments to arrange a suitable break yourself. Direct Payments are money we give you to meet any eligible needs we agree you have, instead of providing or arranging services for you.

How are the Short Term Breaks arranged?

When you first need the Short Term Break Services, your social worker or care manager will give us all the information we need.

When we receive this information we will write to you to welcome you to the Short Break Service.

When you want to arrange a short term break please telephone us on (01202) 458739. We will be happy to discuss your requirements in greater detail.

Please give us at least two weeks notice to arrange the service. However, we understand that there may be times when a break is needed quickly. When this happens we will do our best to help.

When you ask for a break, we will telephone you within 48 hours to let you know what arrangemenets we have made. We will then confirm the details in writing giving you all the information you need.

Finding a service that meets your needs

We work with a number of organisations that provide care and support and our aim is to find one that can best cater for your needs.

We will let the people providing the care have all the information they need to provide the service.

Whenever possible we will try to use the same people to provide the short term break so that you and the person you care for get to know them.

Let us know what you think

Please let us know what you think of the Short Break Service. This will help us to develop the service and make sure it is meeting your needs. When you use the service we will send you a brief questionnaire to ask for your comments. We will consider your replies carefully and use the information provided to make any necessary changes.

Is there a charge?

If we arrange services to meet your needs we look at your financial situation to work out whether you are able to pay the charges and, if so, how much.

How to contact us

Call us on 01202 458739.

Our offices are open from 8:30am-5:15pm Monday-Thursday and 8:30am-4:45pm on Fridays.

They are closed on Bank Holidays.

We look forward to receiving your call.