Short breaks for parents and carers

It's important for carers to take a break. Caring for somebody can be a full time job and it's important for your own well-being and quality of life to have some time to relax, alone or with friends/family, or the person you care for.

A short break may be for a few hours, an evening, an overnight or maybe a weekend stay. This could be in the community, in the family's own home, in a paid carer's home, or in a specialist residential setting.

Do you need a short break?

• Breaks for parents and carers of children with disabilities
• Breaks for carers of adults with disabilities
• If you care for someone aged 18 or over the way decisions are made about providing support, including short breaks, has changed because of the 2014 Care Act. Find out more about the new system.

You may also be interested in:

• Becoming a short break foster carer.
• Supported living options for young people in Sandwell
• Becoming a Shared Life Carer for an adult with a learning disability.