Short stay services for adults with a learning disability

Short stay services, previously known as ‘respite’, provide an opportunity for people with a learning disability to have a break away from the home, and for their carer to take a break from their caring duties.

If you care for an adult with a learning disability sometimes you need a short break away from your caring role. Our short stay services can give you the chance to focus on yourself and your own interests, but with peace-of-mind that the person you care for is receiving support in a safe environment.

A short (or ‘respite’) stay can benefit a person with a learning disability in a number of ways. As well as having some time away from home, it can give them the opportunity to learn new skills, try out new things, and make new friends.

Types of short stay

• Respite accommodation: we use many different places where adults with a learning disability can have a short stay. Usually the person will have their own room in a house, or other building, which is also shared by other people with a learning disability and with care staff on site.  Choosing which venue and service is most appropriate is based of the needs of the individual.
• Shared Lives: this scheme provides accommodation and support to adults with a learning disability in the homes of people living in the community. Potential Shared Lives carers have to undergo an in-depth training programme before being approved.  Shared Lives offers a number of benefits to both the individual and their carer and allows people with a learning disability to live as part of a family.

How to access short stay services

To access short stay services the person with a learning disability must be eligible and be referred by the Community Learning Disability Team.

The carer must also have received their own carer’s assessment from us.