What information does it contain?
The Shared Care Scotland short breaks directory gives easy online access to short breaks information to carers, people with care-needs, and organisations that work to support them. In line with requirements of the Carers Act all Scottish local authorities are now publishing their Short Break Services Statements and many of these are signposting the Shared Care Scotland directory as a source of good quality information.
The directory holds information on short break and respite services covering all forms of service including, for example: home-based and residential based respite, family placements, befriending, holiday breaks and accessible guest houses and hotels.
Click here to search the Short Breaks Directory
The impact of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the delivery of short breaks services across Scotland including services closures, reductions, or changes in the way in which they are delivered. For this reason, we recommend that you get in touch with your preferred service directly to check with them regarding their current provision.
We recognise that many carers have been taking on increased or new caring roles as a result of the pandemic, and that without access to short breaks, this has become even more difficult. Carers centres across Scotland are still available to provide support: you can find your local carers centre by contacting Care Information Scotland on 0800 011 3200. Alternatively, you can contact our Carer Enquiry Line on 01383 622462 or by emailing office@sharedcarescotland.com.
Service Providers:
Make sure your service is on the directory by registering your services with us. You can find out more about the Terms and Conditions for registering on our directory here. Once we have checked the information supplied by you we will publish your record in the directory and provide you with a username and password so you can edit/add your own records. Click here to register for a Short Break Directory account
We will contact the account holder annually to check that the information on our directory is up-to-date and accurate.
Who may access this database?
Anyone who wishes to access information on what is available throughout Scotland, including those who may be intending to access short breaks/respite for themselves or those who seek to identify what is available on behalf of others.
What do we not do?
Shared Care Scotland will not recommend any particular service above others, in all instances the choice remains with the individuals concerned. We also would wish to highlight we do not act as a booking agent for anyone, our role is limited to providing information on what is available as well as contact details should you or someone acting on your behalf wish to pursue an option.
Please note in providing information we only ever undertake specific searches which match services with an identified individuals needs, we do not provide copies of our database or sections of it under client or geographical groupings.
As a small charity we do not have the capacity to research short break options where there are no specific care needs or adaptations required. An example of this might be a carer who is looking for a spa break to give herself a complete break from her caring role. Under these circumstances we can help the carer identify some funding options and sources of support, however we won’t undertake a search for the spa break itself.
Accessing our Short Break telephone enquiry service
In addition to our on-line directory we also provide a telephone enquiry service for those that don’t have access to the internet or those who can’t find what they’re looking for online. We will endeavour to help you find a break that best matches your needs and circumstances.
For telephone enquiries, contact the Shared Care Scotland office:
By phone: 01383 622462 (Monday – Friday, 9.00am to 4.00pm)
Our online and telephone enquiry services are supported by generous funding from the Scottish Government.