Reading Unpaid Carers Respite Pilot
Helping unpaid carers take planned breaks with confidence
Cardinal Care is proud to work with Reading Borough Council to deliver the Reading Unpaid Carers Respite Pilot. The service supports eligible unpaid carers across Reading to take planned breaks from their caring responsibilities, knowing the person they care for is in safe, capable hands.
What is respite care?
Respite care provides temporary support for the person receiving care, so their unpaid carer can take a break. The person you care for continues to receive safe, compassionate and personalised support at home while you take time for yourself.
How to access the service
Eligibility assessments and referrals are managed by Reading Borough Council and its carers support partners. Cardinal Care delivers the care once a referral has been confirmed. The route in is simple:
- Step one
Contact Reading Borough Council
Request information, advice or a Carer's Assessment. The council and its carers support partners will assess eligibility and manage your referral into the pilot.
- Step two
Cardinal Care gets in touch
Once your referral is confirmed, our team contacts you within 24 hours to plan the respite arrangements around the person's routines, preferences and care needs.
Please note: initial referrals cannot be made directly to Cardinal Care. All eligibility enquiries and assessment requests must go through Reading Borough Council or its carers support partners.
Reading Borough Council
For information, advice or to request a Carer’s Assessment
Floor 2 North, Civic Centre, Bridge Street, Reading RG1 2LU
If the person you care for already has an allocated Reading Borough Council social worker or care team, you can speak directly to their allocated worker, or contact Adult Social Care on 0118 937 3747.
Personalised support at home
Each respite package is planned around the assessed needs, preferences and routines of the person receiving support. Visits are arranged for an agreed length of time and frequency, based on the respite package approved by Reading Borough Council.
Personal care
Medication support
Companionship
Meal preparation
Mobility assistance
Support with appointments or community access
Meaningful activities
Wellbeing monitoring
Help to maintain independence at home
Our trained and compassionate care professionals support older people, people living with dementia, people with physical disabilities, learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs and complex care requirements. The support provided in each package depends on the person’s assessed needs.Each respite package is planned around the assessed needs, preferences and routines of the person receiving support. Visits are arranged for an agreed length of time and frequency, based on the respite package approved by Reading Borough Council.
Safe, compassionate and reliable care
Our goal is to give unpaid carers valuable time for themselves while ensuring the person they care for receives safe, respectful and dependable support.
Our care professionals receive ongoing training and are supported by our experienced management and nursing team. We work closely with individuals, carers, Reading Borough Council and relevant health and social care professionals to provide coordinated, person-centred care.
A break should feel like a break. That only happens when you trust the people stepping in.
Already referred to Cardinal Care?
Once Reading Borough Council has confirmed your referral, the Cardinal Care team will contact you within 24 hours to discuss the person’s routines, preferences, care needs and agreed respite arrangements.
For questions about an existing Cardinal Care respite package:
Telephone: 07368 460827 Email: respite@cardinalcare.co.uk
Please remember: initial eligibility enquiries and assessment requests must be made through Reading Borough Council or its carers support partners, not directly through Cardinal Care.
