Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that families with additional needs living in tier 3 covid-19 restricted areas can access the respite support they require.

The Government recognises that respite care provides important support for people with care needs and their carers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A revised set of local restriction tiers were implemented on 2 December. Across all the tiers there is an exemption from the gathering limits for the purposes of providing care or assistance to someone vulnerable or to provide respite for a carer. In addition, eligibility criteria for support bubbles has been extended. From 2 December, a person can form a support bubble with another household if they are the only adult in their household with any other members of the household having been under 18 years old on 12 June 2020 or are the only adult who does not have a disability that needs continuous care.

Further, support groups can continue to meet in person with up to 15 participants, where formally organised. This covers day services that provide support to vulnerable people and respite to their carers. We have worked with the Social Care Institute for Excellence to publish guidance on how such provision can be operated safely. All these provisions aim to ensure carers can continue to receive the support they need during this period.