National Care Standards: Short breaks and respite care services for adults

Short breaks and respite care cover a range of services and situations. Different ideas are emerging about the purpose of the break. Evidence of the need for breaks is also moving from a general awareness of their value to much more detailed information that people need breaks in different ways at different times and for different periods. As the carer’s voice has become stronger through carers’ organisations and centres, attention has been focused on short breaks and respite care. Now, as people who use services are being consulted, a greater emphasis is being placed on the quality of services and the standards that you and your family can expect to receive.