Criteria For Service

General
The Cared for must have a special need or disability requiring dependence upon a Carer to meet such needs

The Carer and Cared for must reside in the London Borough of Harrow

The Carer and Cared for must reside in the same home, apart from exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the Management Committee e.g.. living adjacent.

The Cared fro would not normally be able to be left alone in the home other than for short period of time.

Harrow Crossroads with Outreach has a number of different contracts under different source of funding.  The criteria for Carers to access these services vary slightly and are as follows:

Harrow Crossroads Main Scheme
The Cared for must be over the age of 18 years.  Care break hours provided are normally limited to 3 hours per week.  If the Carer has been assessed by Social Services in their own right as having a requirements for a break from caring, this should be provided under the Respite at Home contract or on a Spot Purchase basis.  Referrals can be made directly by the Carer, by a relative or friend, GP's, District Nurses, Age Concern or other local organisations, or a Social Worker.

Respite at Home and Spot Purchase (Social Services)
The Cared for can be of any age.  Children under 18 years can only be referred under this contract by a Social Worker.  Hours can be variable but would not normally be less than 3 hours per week.

Emergency Respite Scheme
Additional hours can be provided to Carers aged 65 and over who are in particular need.  These can be provided as a "one off" or on a regular basis for a limited period of time when a Carer is experiencing a particular difficulty in their lives.

Carers Special Grant
A grant provided to local authorities from Central Government to provide additional care breaks to Carers.  Care hours are normally limited to 3 per week to enable maximum number of Carers to benefit.  This grant runs until 31st March 2000.  After this date, it is not yet known whether this source of funding will continue in its present form.  If it is not continue, Harrow Crossroads will be doing its utmost to secure replacement funding.

Carers of people with Dementia
A partnership funding arrangement with Harrow & Hillingdon Alzheimer's Society for those Caring for a relative or friend with dementia.  Carers of people with dementia can receive additional care break hours under this project including over night sitting services to enable them to take linger more flexible break from caring.  The project starts in January 2001.  Referrals can be made from November 2000.