Take A Break
What is Take a Break?
Take a Break is a subsidised scheme which gives carers across Devon flexible daytime or evening breaks from their caring responsibilities.
Take a Break provides you with 36 hourly vouchers per quarter (the equivalent of twelve hours per month) which can be used flexibly in blocks of up to 12 hours to suit you. For each hour’s voucher that you use there will be a charge of £3.00.
How do the breaks work?
Take a Break is primarily a sitting service.
A care worker from one of our contracted agencies will come and look after the person you care for while you have a break. The care worker will usually stay in your home – with the person you care for – but some agencies will also take the person you care for out so that you can enjoy your break at home.
Take a Break vouchers can not be used to provide daycare/escorting services for the person you care for, nor for regular transport (e.g. to and from hospital appointments).
Take a Break is not intended to help with regular personal care (e.g. bathing, or getting the person you care for up each morning). But if the person you care for has personal care needs (e.g. lifting, or help with toileting) we can still help; some of our contracted agencies are registered with the Care Quality Commission to provide this sort of help.
Who is eligible?
If you are looking after someone living in Devon (excluding Plymouth and Torbay), who is an adult (18 or over), you can use Take a Break. If you are a young carer (under 18) you can access the scheme if you are the main carer for an eligible adult.
If you are looking after a child (under 18) then you are not currently able to use Take a Break.
How do I access Take a Break?
Contact Devon Carers by telephone to register. We will send you vouchers and a list of agencies in your area. You will then need to contact an agency to arrange for them to visit and plan your first break.
What if I need more time off?
In addition to Take a Break you or the person you care for may be eligible for further help from Adult and Community Services (Social Services). Your needs and those of the person you care for can be assessed and, if eligible, additional breaks services may be available. Dependent on your financial circumstances you may incur a charge from Devon County Council for these additional breaks services.
To access additional breaks services such as overnight sleeping or waking services, or respite care in residential or nursing homes, you will usually need to be assessed by Adult and Community Services.
For further information contact Care Direct (Adult and Community Services) at the ‘MyDevon’ Customer Service Centre on 0845 155 1007 or see the Adult and Community Services leaflet #1 Social Care for Adults Explained or factsheet #603 (Short-term Breaks in Residential or Nursing Homes) available from www.devon.gov.uk.
What if I am not eligible for Take a Break?
If you are looking after a child (under 18) you can contact Children and Families at the ‘MyDevon’ Customer Service Centre on 0845 155 1013 or DISCplus (special needs information) on 0800 056 36 66 for information about breaks for carers of children.
