Learning Disability Carers Support Scheme

What is the Carers Support Scheme?

The scheme helps informal and family carers of adults with Learning Disability by providing some opportunity to have a short break from their caring role. The respite care can be provided either in the home of the cared for person or out in the community.

Who is Eligible for the Service?

Carers who look after an adult (18 – 64) with general learning disability needs.
The service will only be available for service users resident in the County of Leicestershire.
Carers will be providing care to the person for 10 hours or more per week and the caring role is having a significant impact on their life.

How does the Scheme Work?

Assessment of the carer’s need for this respite will be carried out by a Social Worker. Following the assessment, the carers will be allocated a defined number of respite hours to be taken within an agreed 4 week period.

The Social Worker will identify a Provider who can meet the needs of the cared for person. Minimum number of hours in any respite period will be 2 hours.The aim is to provide a responsive service that is available 7 days a week (including bank holidays) between 7am and10pm.

Providers:

will enable respite breaks by ensuring the service user receives the level of supervision and/or support required for activities that the informal/family carer would otherwise have to do.

The carer:

will contact the Provider directly to arrange respite periods and will need to give the Provider 7 days notice for a respite request.
will need to give the Provider 24 hours notice to cancel a planned respite unless otherwise mutually agreed. and if respite is required at short notice, may contact the Provider to discuss possible arrangements. (Whilst the Provider will try to meet the request, there is no obligation upon the Provider to do so).

What the Scheme does not cover

Unused hours within the 4 week period cannot be carried over to the next 4 week period.
Any costs for activities outside of the home, whether for the cared for person or the support worker, will be met by the carer.

Who Provides the Service?

The project is funded by Leicestershire Adult Social Care Service through the Carers Grant. Funding is limited and therefore the service operates on a first come first served basis. The respite will be provided by Providers with ample experience of supporting people with learning disability needs.