Adult Services

Respite care


It's important that you have regular breaks from caring and time to yourself. You can ask Adult Services staff for advice and information about local respite services and whether they can arrange help for you, or you can approach other organisations to make your own arrangements. If you make your own arrangements, make sure that the people you talk to understand that you are looking for help that will allow you to have time to yourself, even if it is just for an hour or so.

Some local 'good neighbour' groups may be able to help in an emergency, but for longer or more regular help, you should try one of the following:

  • The Hampshire Shared Lives Scheme (formerly known as Adult Placement), is all about linking people who need help with people who can provide it. Most people who use the scheme have a learning disability, but some people have a physical disability, a mental health issue or are older people who are unable to live alone
  • Sitting services provide someone comes to your home while you have time to yourself.
  • 'Take a Break' schemes, run both by Adult Services and voluntary organisations, give carers a few hours to themselves. To find out what’s available locally, see the
  • Use the Residential Care Home search to find details of homes near you that offer informal day care, where someone can regularly spend a day with the residents. Some homes take people for short periods as well as long-term. Some homes will have designated respite beds, others will only take people for short stays if there happens to be a bed available
  • Use the Care at Home search which will provide information on organisations that can provide live-in help for a short period to allow you to go away.
  • Day centres although not strictly respite care, by providing activities and company during the day for someone with physical and/or learning disabilities, may be considered as respite care by their carers.
  • If the person you look after needs special care that would make an ordinary holiday difficult, there are specialist holiday organisations that can provide information and advice.
  • If you need to make use of any County Council services, including day centres and residential homes run by the County Council, you will need to contact the Adult Services Department to request an assessment of your needs.