Respite Care in Lewisham: Costs, Funding and 86 Local Agencies (Oct 2026)

Ways to get a break

Day centres, run by charities or the council, are one choice. A short care home stay, typically one to two weeks and best booked early for holidays, is another. Of the 49 CQC-registered care homes in Lewisham, ask which accept short stays. At home, a visiting carer can cover a few hours, or a live-in carer can stay for a few days or weeks (live-in respite) so you can go away.

Arranging a private respite break

A smooth short stay starts with a visit to the care home and with sharing the care plan, medicines list and routines in advance. When paying yourself, also ask homes whether they set aside rooms for short stays, and ask agencies about minimum visit lengths and notice periods.

A carer's assessment comes first

Anyone who looks after another person can ask the London Borough of Lewisham for a carer's assessment of their own. It is free, it is separate from the cared-for person's assessment, and it considers how caring affects you. The outcome can include funded breaks, a personal budget for carers or other help. Free advice is available from the Carers UK helpline, 0808 808 7777. Asking the London Borough of Lewisham for an assessment.

Home care in Lewisham by the numbers

Registered specialisms here: 72 of 85 list physical disabilities, 40 of 85 list learning disabilities and 53 of 85 list mental health conditions. The share registered for dementia is 79% in Lewisham (67 of 85) and 81% across London. Counting all listed agencies, not only rated ones, Lewisham (31% Good or Outstanding) is 4th out of 7 local towns, led by Lambeth (58%). Oldest rating on the list: BM Homecare Limited, April 2018. Most recent to register: Westminster Homecare Limited - Lambeth (September 2026). Across London we list 2,431 agencies, and 89% of those rated are Good or Outstanding; covering Lewisham the figure is 62%.

Respite care prices in Lewisham

Prices typically seen in London in 2026
Visiting care	£30–£40 an hour
Sleeping night	£190–£230
Waking night	£240–£320
Live-in care	£1,300–£1,800 a week
Residential care home	£1,456 a week
Nursing home	£1,680 a week

For 2026/27, the Homecare Association says council-funded home care in England is only sustainable at £34.42 an hour or more. Work out a weekly cost · What would we pay?

Your questions on respite care in Lewisham

Which agencies provide respite care in Lewisham?

CQC does not record which agencies provide respite care. 86 CQC-registered home care agencies are based in the borough of Lewisham; 28 are rated Good or Outstanding. Ask each whether it provides respite care.

Can respite care be paid for by the council?

Start with a carer's assessment from the London Borough of Lewisham: eligible carers can have breaks arranged or funded. Separately, look for sitting services from carers' centres and charities that are free or cheap.

How far ahead should we book respite in a care home?

Give several weeks where possible, more around school holidays. Ask on the first call whether the home holds rooms back for short stays, as not all do.

What CQC ratings do agencies covering Lewisham have?

CQC rates 28 of 45 as Good or Outstanding, or 62%. Recent evidence: 10 rated or inspected in two years. Dementia specialists: 67.

Respite care in Lewisham: ask who can help

Describe what's needed in one form, and as many as three agencies that accept enquiries via The Care Panel email you back.

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CQC register data (Oct 2026), reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The Care Panel is independent of every provider listed.

Respite care in Lewisham