The sitting service, or carer response service, gives carers the opportunity to take a break with peace of mind. This service is available to anyone with a need for it, whether they qualify for assistance from social care services or fund their own care.

The service provides fully trained staff available to care for:

• older people
• people with sensory loss
• people with learning disabilities
• people with physical disabilities
• people with a mental health problem

The sitter can provide companionship, support, and personal care and assistance that would normally be provided by the carer. This can include accompanying them on leisure activities, such as trips to the cinema, the library or going for a walk.

The service is available regularly or occasionally for anything from two to eight hours, between eight in the morning and eleven at night, seven days a week. This should be agreed after an assessment and can be arranged by a social care worker or the carer if they use the Take a Break scheme.

Access to the service will be through the usual social work assessment. KAF is able to provide this service on a Private basis.