PRICE GUIDE · CARE & SUPPORT · 2026–2027
Respite Care cost in the UK
£26–£38 per hour. Typically £34.
Respite care at home, giving a family carer a break, costs about £26–£38 an hour, with £34 typical. Weekends, evenings, short notice and higher care needs cost more, and for longer breaks a live-in respite carer is usually charged by the day instead.
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HOW MUCH IT COSTS
How much does respite care cost in the UK?
| Low end | £26 | regular weekday sessions |
|---|---|---|
| Typical | £34 | what most people pay |
| High end | £38 | short-notice weekend cover in the South East |
Locufy guide prices for 2026–2027. Updated 2026. A national range, not a quote — enter your town above for real prices from the carers and care agencies near you.
What moves the price
- Length of break — a few hours of respite care is charged hourly, longer breaks by the day or week
- Care needs — respite care for someone needing personal care or two carers costs more
- Timing — respite care at weekends and in school holidays is in highest demand
- Short notice — emergency respite care arranged within days can cost more
- Region — respite care in London and the South East is dearest
- Council support — a carer's assessment may lead to funded respite care
WHAT YOU GET
What a respite care visit includes
Takes: From a few hours a week to several days or weeks of live-in respite. Not included: Respite stays in a care home, live-in care and overnight care have their own prices — see the related guides below.
WHAT PEOPLE BOOK
Common respite care jobs
KNOW THE PRICE? NOW SEE THE REAL ONES
Respite Care near you, with prices shown
The carers and care agencies that cover your area, nearest first, each with their price and one score from every review. No account needed to look.
Or post the job free and let them come to you, or book by the hour.
How to pay less
- Ask the council for a carer's assessment; respite care may be funded or part-funded
- Book regular respite care slots in advance rather than paying for short-notice cover
- Look for carers' charities that offer free or low-cost respite care sitting services
Before you book
- Check the respite care agency is registered with CQC, the Care Inspectorate, CIW or RQIA
- Introduce the respite care worker before your first break so the person feels at ease
- Write down routines, medicines and emergency contacts for the respite care team
- Agree what the respite care visit covers and how you can be reached if needed
Respite Care cost: questions people ask
About £26–£38 an hour, with £34 typical. Weekday sessions cost least; weekends, evenings and short-notice cover cost most.
Anything from a few hours a week to a fortnight or more. Longer breaks are often covered by a live-in carer or a short stay in a care home.
Yes. Councils across the UK must consider a carer's needs, and a carer's assessment can lead to funded respite care or direct payments. The person cared for may be financially assessed.
Often, though choice is limited and it may cost more. It helps to have an emergency plan agreed with an agency in advance.
Care home respite stays, round-the-clock live-in care and overnight care are priced separately.
They are Locufy guide prices for the UK, taken from published private home care rates. They give a national range rather than a quote.
MORE GUIDES