National care standards: short breaks and respite care services for adults

19 Going home or moving on (standard 19)

Introduction to standard 19

The short break or respite care may be part of an accepted routine of breaks from living with your family or on your own. It may be a stepping stone to greater independence. Whatever the reason, the support and care you receive then should prepare you for moving on or going home again.

Ending the short break or respite care

Standard 19
You are involved in plenty of time in planning and discussing the best way to prepare for you going home or moving on. The planning and discussion involve your carer or representative (or both) and staff.

1 You know when and where your next short break will be. Your carer and/ or representative also knows when it will be.

2 You can choose what information is shared with your carer or representative. Where your ability to choose or communicate is impaired, your carer or representative will learn about the short break on a need-to-know basis only, to help them to respond when you return.

3 You can be confident that any requests from your carer or representative for information on anything to do with your short break are properly responded to. If there is anything in the organisational policies and procedures which prevents them from receiving this information, this will be made known to them.

4 You can be confident that the information that you take with you is complete and has been collected with your involvement and agreement.

5 You are supported to keep in touch with any friends you have made, as long as those involved all agree.

6 You take part in regular reviews of your respite care service to make sure it continues to meet your needs. Any review considers the needs of your carer or representative as well.

7 You can ask to alter the arrangements at any time during the agreed period of service, unless doing so would harm you or put your health in danger. The service provider will tell you (and your carer if necessary) of any costs involved.