Questions people ask before they book

No, though your funder may well use the word respite, and that’s fine. It’s often how a break like this gets described on paperwork. It’s still a private house rather than a registered respite service.

The house is single-storey and step-free throughout. The front door has a 965mm clear opening, the internal doorways are 926mm, the wet room is level-access, and there’s a ceiling track hoist over the profiling bed. If you need a measurement we haven’t published, ask and we’ll go and take it. See the access statement.

There’s a ceiling track hoist rated to 180kg, and an electric mobile hoist also rated to 180kg. Both are subject to a LOLER thorough examination every six months. Guests bring their own slings, because a sling needs to fit the person.

Yes. We arrange the accessible bedroom around each guest: one profiling bed if that’s what you need, two if it isn’t. Tell us when you book so it’s set up before you arrive.

Five. There are two bedrooms and a double sofa bed in the conservatory. Five is what our safety checks are based on, so we do have to hold to it.

Yes. Continuity of Care Services, our sister company, can come into the bungalow, anything from a morning visit to nurse-led support. Mention it on the same enquiry as the house and we’ll work it out together. See Optional care.

The sooner you ask, the more likely we can say yes. We don’t publish a lead time because it honestly depends on what you need and who’s available that week, and we’d rather give you a real answer quickly than a number we’ve invented.

Of course, and the price doesn’t change. A support worker can use the second bedroom, or we can think through the sleeping arrangements with you.

About ten minutes on foot from the driveway. Places along Tankerton promenade take longer, because you walk down to the sea first and then head west along the prom. JoJo’s is roughly twenty minutes all in. See the Whitstable guide.

A week is £1,300 off-peak and £1,400 in peak season, with all the access equipment, linen, towels and parking included. A 50% deposit reserves your dates and the balance follows a week before arrival. See Pricing & dates.

We can invoice you, a local authority, the NHS or a grant body, and the rate is identical either way. What we can’t do is promise your package will cover a holiday. That decision sits with your social worker or case manager. See Funding and support.

Some guests do, for the accommodation or for a PA’s time. The rules vary by area, so start with your own care team. See direct payments.

Yes, with a bit of notice so we can run a quick risk assessment. Assistance dogs are welcome on the same terms.

From 3pm, through a key safe, with the code sent to you beforehand. Check-out is by 11am, and if you need longer for personal care or transport, tell us a few days ahead and we’ll do our best. See How it works.