Dedicated carers of adults with learning disabilities will be given much needed time off under council plans to use relief carers.

Wandsworth Council set out proposals last week for a £70,000 pilot scheme employing local voluntary groups to support relatives and other carers when they need a break.

If the idea gets the go-ahead, trained relief carers from Wandsworth Rathbone and Threshold Housing and Support will provide home care ranging from a couple of hours to weeks.

Costs will be met from the council's special carers' grant.

November 16, 2001 14:30