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If you would like to access the Carer Break provider locator click here.
Alternatively, if you would like to access Carersnet click here.
The Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000 contains provisions enabling (not forcing) Local Authorities to give vouchers to carers. Carers are defined as people caring for elderly/disabled adults/family members in their own home.
Accor Carer Break Vouchers are a mechanism by which carers book time and pay for short term, temporary alternative care (in a nursing home or in their own home) for their dependents, to enable them to take a break from their caring responsibility.
For more information about Carers visit The Department of Health http://www.direct.gov.uk/CaringForSomeone
 Carer Break Vouchers and the Local Authority
Carer Break Voucher schemes are designed to provide a short-term break for carers of people with long-term illnesses or disabilities. They can also give parents a break by providing care for a child if suitable, either with another family, or in a children's home. Care is provided for a specified period of time and may be within a residential home, a respite care service or within the person's own home.
Why choose Carer Break Vouchers
- No costs of setting up a scheme
- Flexibility – you choose who is eligible, the value and the cost
- Shows a strong, highly-visible commitment to your local carers
- Minimal administration
- A guarantee that they can only be spent with registered care providers
- Can only be spent on the intended purpose
- Freedom of choice
The length of a short-term break
A carer needs to be able to take a break from the responsibility of supervising or caring. A break needs to be long enough for them to be able to participate in the activity that will help to support them in their caring role. In some instances that could be as short as a couple of hours, or it could be overnight, or longer.
Who might need a short-term break?
Carer Breaks are mainly given to carers to take a break from looking after someone who needs a substantial amount of care or supervision. This might include:
- People with physical disabilities
- People with mental health problems
- People with learning disabilities
- People with long term illnesses
- Children with disabilities
- Older people
 Carer Break Vouchers and the Carer
How Carer Break Vouchers can help
Mrs R has considerable physical disability and health needs. Her carer is her husband who has Aspersers Syndrome and becomes extremely stressed with his daily role. He cannot always predict when he will need to take a break in the week but knows that with the flexible set up with the short-term break voucher scheme he will get it when he needs it.
Miss K-S is nine years old and has a severe learning and physical disability. Her main carers are her parents with whom she lives. The family is keen football club supporters who enthusiastically attend home games with their other children. When required, Miss K-S goes to a carer whose home is fully equipped to meet all of her needs.
The length of a short-term break
You need to be able to take a break from the responsibility of supervising or caring. In some instances that would be as short as a couple of hours, or it could be overnight, or longer.
Could you be eligible?
Carer Break schemes are mainly given to carers to take a break from looking after someone who needs a substantial amount of care or supervision. This might include:
- People with physical disabilities
- People with mental health problems
- People with learning disabilities
- People with long term illnesses
- Children with disabilities
- Older people
For further information on how the Accor Services Carer Break Voucher scheme works, please view the Carers Guide.
 Carer Break Vouchers and the Service Provider
The Voucher Scheme can only be used with approved service providers. It allows a carer to arrange the dates for an approved amount of 'respite'.
Vouchers will be issued on instruction from the Local Authority by Accor Services following a carers assessment.
- The value of a voucher will be expressed in money and indicate the type of care to be provided e.g. domiciliary care.
- Vouchers can only be used with service providers that are approved or can apply to be approved with the Care Standards Commission.
- The Local Authority, in partnership with Accor Services will hold and maintain a list of service providers who wish to participate in the scheme.
Please view the Service Provider Guide for more information on how the Carer Break scheme works.
What Accor Services will provide
- Production and distribution of clear information for the network of service providers.
- Management of a telephone line to support the voucher processing operation and distribution.
- Prompt redemption of the vouchers (payment by cheque or BACS as requested) with guaranteed payment within an agreed time and a secure claim validation process.
To join the scheme, please print and complete the Service Provider Redemption Agreement Form and return it to Accor Services together with a copy of your CSCI registration document.
 Carer Break Vouchers and Surrey County Council
In response to the Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000, Surrey County Council and Accor Services will be launching a Carer Break Voucher scheme for short-term breaks for carers. The aim of the voucher scheme is to help full-time carers of disabled children and adults to have a break.
The voucher scheme is designed to offer flexibility in the timing of carers' breaks and choice in the way services are delivered to persons cared for, while their usual carer is taking a break.
How it works
The Voucher Scheme will be used with approved service providers only and will allow the carer to arrange the dates for an approved amount of 'respite'. Vouchers will be issued on instruction from Surrey County Council by Accor Services following a carers assessment.
To access the latest information for carers in Surrey visit www.carersnet.org.uk
If you need any further information regarding the Surrey County Council Carer Break Voucher Scheme, contact Ron Critcher, Policy Officer (Carers). Tel: 0208 541 7086 or E-mail ron.critcher@surreycc.gov.uk
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