Respite & Short-Term Care in England & Wales
Professional home care when you need it most. Whether you need a planned break from caring, emergency cover, or short-term support after hospital, our experienced carers step in seamlessly, giving you peace of mind whilst your loved one receives quality care at home.
Is Respite Care Right for Your Family?
Respite care gives family carers essential breaks from caring responsibilities, whilst ensuring your loved one receives professional, compassionate care. Short-term care also supports recovery after illness or hospital stays.
This Service is Perfect If:
You're a family carer needing a break
Caring is exhausting; you deserve rest without guilt or worry
You're going on holiday
Travel knowing your loved one is safe, cared for and in familiar surroundings
You need emergency cover
Sudden illness, work commitments or family emergencies requiring immediate care support
Your loved one is returning from hospital
Short-term intensive support during recovery before resuming usual care
You want to prevent carer burnout
Regular planned breaks maintain your health and ability to continue caring long-term
You need time for medical appointments
Attend your own GP visits, hospital appointments or health checks
Your usual carer is unavailable
Covering sickness, holidays or unexpected absence of regular care provider
You want to trial home care
Testing professional care before committing to long-term arrangements
Common Respite Scenarios
Planned Respite
- •Family holiday or weekend away
- •Wedding, celebration or family event
- •Regular weekly breaks (e.g., every Tuesday)
- •Scheduled hospital appointments or surgery
Emergency Respite
- •Family carer falls ill suddenly
- •Unexpected work commitments
- •Family crisis requiring immediate attention
- •Regular carer unexpectedly unavailable
Short-Term Care
- •Recovery after hospital discharge
- •Rehabilitation following surgery or illness
- •Temporary increase in care needs
- •Trial period before live-in or regular care
How Respite & Short-Term Care Works
Flexible, reliable respite care tailored to your specific situation – whether planned months ahead or needed within hours.
Respite Care Duration Options
Short Visits (Few Hours)
3–8 hour respite visits
- •Ideal for appointments, shopping, personal time
- •Carer provides companionship, meals and supervision
- •Same-day or next-day availability
Overnight Respite
Evening through to morning care
- •Sleep-in or waking night support
- •Perfect for overnight trips or rest
- •12–24 hour coverage
Weekend Respite
Friday evening through Sunday
- •Full weekend breaks for family carers
- •Live-in or extended daily visits
- •Regular monthly or quarterly patterns
Week-Long Respite
1–2 week care coverage
- •Holiday respite or intensive recovery support
- •Live-in care or daily extended visits
- •Advance booking recommended
Extended Short-Term (2–8 Weeks)
Longer-term temporary care
- •Post-hospital recovery care
- •Seasonal family carer holidays
- •Trial period for long-term care
- •Transitional support
How We Provide Seamless Respite
Pre-Assessment & Planning
We visit beforehand to understand routines, preferences, medication and special requirements – ensuring continuity of care.
Detailed Handover
Family carers brief our team on daily routines, likes/dislikes, health conditions and any concerns.
Care Delivered
Experienced carers follow established routines, maintaining familiarity and reducing distress for your loved one.
Daily Updates
We keep you informed with calls, texts or photos so you can relax knowing all is well.
Smooth Transition Back
Full handover on your return with written care logs documenting activities, meals, medication and wellbeing.
Minimum Duration
- Visiting respite: Minimum 3 hours per visit
- Overnight respite: Minimum 12 hours
- Live-in respite: Minimum 2–3 days
- Emergency respite: Flexible – we'll work with what you need
Notice Required
- Planned respite: 1–2 weeks' notice (longer for holidays/Christmas)
- Urgent respite: 48–72 hours where possible
- Emergency respite: We'll do our best to respond within 24 hours
What's Included in Respite & Short-Term Care
Comprehensive care matching or exceeding the support family carers usually provide, ensuring your loved one feels safe, comfortable and well-cared for.
Personal Care
- ✓Washing, bathing and grooming
- ✓Dressing and toileting assistance
- ✓Continence care and dignity support
- ✓Maintaining usual personal care routines
- ✓Respecting preferences and privacy
Medication Management
- ✓Following medication schedules precisely
- ✓Administering prescribed medications
- ✓Recording all doses accurately
- ✓Monitoring for side effects
- ✓Liaising with GP if concerns arise
Meals & Nutrition
- ✓Preparing favourite meals and snacks
- ✓Following dietary requirements
- ✓Encouraging eating and hydration
- ✓Maintaining familiar meal times
- ✓Adapting to preferences
Household Tasks
- ✓Light housekeeping and tidying
- ✓Laundry and ironing
- ✓Keeping environment clean and safe
- ✓Taking bins out
- ✓Maintaining usual home standards
Companionship & Activities
- ✓Friendly conversation and engagement
- ✓Watching favourite TV programmes together
- ✓Reading newspapers or books
- ✓Games, puzzles and hobbies
- ✓Gentle walks and fresh air
Safety & Supervision
- ✓Constant supervision for those at risk
- ✓Fall prevention and mobility support
- ✓Managing wandering (dementia)
- ✓Emergency response if needed
- ✓Ensuring home security
Family Communication
- ✓Daily update calls or messages
- ✓Sharing photos if requested
- ✓Immediate contact if concerns
- ✓Written care logs and notes
- ✓Video calls if desired
Health Monitoring
- ✓Observing general wellbeing
- ✓Reporting any health changes
- ✓Coordinating with healthcare professionals
- ✓Attending appointments if needed
- ✓Following care plans precisely
How to Pay for Respite Care
Multiple funding options make respite care accessible, ensuring family carers can take essential breaks without financial worry.
Self-Funded / Private Pay
Pay directly by the hour or day. Typical costs:
- • Visiting respite: £[POA] per hour
- • Overnight respite: £[POA] per 12 hours
- • Live-in respite: £[POA] per week
Carers' Breaks & Direct Payments
If you receive Carer's Allowance or Direct Payments, you may be able to use this funding for respite care services.
Local Authority Respite Funding
Some councils offer respite care funding for family carers. We work with councils across England and Wales.
Carers' Charities & Grants
Organizations like Carers Trust may offer respite grants. We can signpost you to available support.
NHS-Funded Short-Term Care
Post-hospital discharge care may be NHS-funded for 1–6 weeks through 'Discharge to Assess' schemes.
Cost-Effective Respite
Planned respite is more affordable:
- • Advance booking allows better carer scheduling
- • Regular respite packages offer discounts
- • Prevents emergency premiums
Respite prevents breakdown:
- • Regular breaks reduce carer burnout
- • Maintains family carer's health and wellbeing
- • Delays or prevents costly residential care
Why Family Carers Trust Our Respite Care
Fast-Start Capability
Emergency respite often within 24–48 hours; planned respite arranged to suit your schedule.
Detailed Care Continuity
We follow your loved one's established routines, preferences and care plans precisely – minimizing disruption.
Experienced, Compassionate Carers
Our carers understand the trust family carers place in us and treat your loved one with the same care you provide.
Constant Communication
Daily updates via call, text or photo keep you informed and relaxed during your break.
Care in Familiar Surroundings
Your loved one stays home with their possessions, routines and comfort – reducing confusion and distress.
Flexible Arrangements
Respite from a few hours to several weeks; regular patterns or one-off breaks tailored to your needs.
CQC Regulated Quality
Professional, compliant care you can trust, with safeguarding and quality monitoring.
Guilt-Free Breaks
We understand carer guilt. Your wellbeing matters – taking breaks makes you a better carer.
What Family Carers Say About Our Respite Care
"I hadn't had a proper break in two years. Sunset Care's respite service gave me a week's holiday knowing Mum was safe and happy. The daily photo updates were wonderful."
– Helen M., Enfield
"When I fell ill suddenly, Sunset Care arranged emergency respite within 24 hours. Dad didn't even realize I was away – the carer followed his routines perfectly."
– David R., Barnet
"Monthly weekend respite has transformed my ability to continue caring. I come back refreshed and my father enjoys the company of his regular respite carer."
– Sarah T., N14
CQC Registered Respite Care Provider
Provider ID: 1-12338784375
Sunset Care is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to provide respite and short-term care services meeting national quality and safety standards.
Respite Care Quality Standards:
Respite Care FAQs
Book Your Respite Care Today
Don't wait until you're exhausted. Whether you need emergency cover today or want to book a planned break, our team is ready to help.
Visit Our Office
Sunset Care Ltd
Office 547A, 5th Floor
The Grange, 100 High Street
London N14 6BN