Short breaks and respite care

Short breaks let a carer and the person they care for have a break from their normal routine. They are sometimes described as respite care. They are an essential part of the overall support that families and carers need to help them care for a family member, partner or friend.

Short breaks can involve either time apart or time together with extra support and can vary from several hours to a few weeks. They can be provided on a planned basis, as a holiday or in emergencies.

Short Breaks Bureau

The Short Breaks Bureau is our dedicated service to help carers and the people they care for find the most suitable short break.

Short Breaks Services Statement

This is a statement of information about the short breaks services available in Scotland for carers and the people they care for.

Our Aberdeenshire Short Breaks Services Statement (SBSS) (PDF 1.1MB) explains:

  • what short breaks are
  • who can access them
  • what short breaks are available in Aberdeenshire and across Scotland
  • how to access short breaks and find more information

Respite care

Older people and people with physical disabilities

Find out about respite care for older people, people with a physical disability and their carers. Includes information about care at home; day care; respite flats or dedicated respite rooms in very sheltered housing complexes or care homes; or short breaks.

Adults with learning disabilities

Find out about the short break respite care available for adults with learning disabilities and their carers. Includes information about short break respite units and support organisations providing respite care.

Children and young people with disabilities

Find out about the short break respite or support services for children and young people with disabilities and their carers.