A sitting service in Hertfordshire gives a family carer a few hours off while a trained carer stays with the person they look after. Hertfordshire County Council funds up to 12 hours of free short breaks, usually in two to three hour blocks. For longer, regular sits, families can ask for a carer's assessment or arrange sits privately. This guide explains the options, what a sitter does, and how to make a longer sit work.
Most family carers we meet do not need a holiday first. They need an afternoon. Time for their own GP appointment, a haircut, lunch with a friend or simply a walk without watching the clock. A regular sit, on the same day each week, often does more for a carer than an occasional week away.
Starling Homecare is an independent, family-run provider regulated by the Care Quality Commission. We provide longer visits and sits across Hertfordshire, from a morning to a full day. Council details below come from Hertfordshire County Council's carers pages, checked on 28 September 2026.
How a sitting service in Hertfordshire works
A sitting service means a carer comes to the home and spends a block of time with the person, so the family carer can go out. Carers in Hertfordshire describes carers breaks as a trained professional spending time with the person you support, allowing you to have a break from your caring role.
The sitter's role is simple but important. They keep the person company, help with drinks and a meal, support them to the toilet if needed, and make sure they are safe. Where it is agreed in the care plan, they can also help with medicines or personal care. The point is that the carer leaves the house without worrying.
Free short breaks from Hertfordshire County Council
The most widely available free sitting service in Hertfordshire is the council's own. It funds up to 12 hours of support to give an unpaid carer of an adult a break. It describes this as short-term support of two to three hour breaks, delivered at home or in the local community.
Who delivers it depends on where the person you care for lives. In North Herts and Stevenage, the council directs carers to Crossroads Caring for Life. In all other areas of Hertfordshire, it directs them to Care By Us. Both are listed on the council's page, linked at the end of this guide.
For longer-term breaks, the council's route is a free carer's assessment. If it identifies a need, the council may offer ongoing breaks it arranges, or direct payments so you can arrange your own. The council says these services are free for carers and do not need a financial assessment.
Longer sits from a sitting service in Hertfordshire
Two or three hours is enough for a quick errand. It is often not enough for a proper rest, a hospital appointment across the county, or a family event. That is where a longer sit helps, for example a half day every Wednesday, or a whole Saturday once a month.
In our experience, longer sits work best when they are regular. The person gets to know the sitter, the sitter learns the routine, and the carer can plan around a fixed day. So the first few sits are also a chance for everyone to get used to each other while the carer is still close by.
Some families use direct payments from the council to pay for longer sits. Others pay privately, sometimes alongside Attendance Allowance. Our guide to private respite care at home explains how privately arranged breaks are booked and costed.
Making a sitting service in Hertfordshire go smoothly
A short handover sheet makes a big difference, especially for the first few sits. It is worth writing down:
- the person's routine for the hours you are out, including meals and drinks;
- any medicines due during the sit;
- what helps if they become anxious or unsettled;
- where things are kept, and who to call if something changes.
After that, the sitter keeps a brief note of how the time went. It helps the next sit, and it reassures the carer that the time was good for the person too.
For the wider picture on breaks, including overnight and live-in respite, see our guide to respite care in Hertfordshire. For why taking breaks matters, our guide to respite care at home covers the carer's own wellbeing. The respite care page describes the service itself.
Common questions about a sitting service in Hertfordshire
Is there a free sitting service in Hertfordshire?
Hertfordshire County Council funds up to 12 hours of free short breaks for unpaid carers of adults, usually in two to three hour blocks. Crossroads Caring for Life delivers them in North Herts and Stevenage, and Care By Us in the rest of the county.
How long is a sit?
The council's free breaks are usually two to three hours. Private sits can be longer, from a morning or afternoon to a full day, and are often booked on the same day each week.
What does a sitter do?
A sitter keeps the person company and safe, helps with drinks and meals and supports them to the toilet if needed. Where the care plan allows, they can also help with medicines or personal care.
A regular sit is one of the simplest ways to keep caring sustainable. If you would like to talk about a sitting service in Hertfordshire with longer sits, our St Albans office is on 01727 324 127, and each of our areas has its own local team. Hertfordshire County Council's page on getting a break from caring has the links for the free short breaks.
Arranging Care Is Simple
Starting care can feel like a big step. We keep it calm and straightforward, and we are here to guide you from your very first call.
1. Talk to us
Get in touch by phone or request a callback. We will listen, answer your questions and help you understand the options, so you can decide what feels right in your own time.
2. A home visit and initial consultation
We arrange a visit to understand your routines, your home and what matters most to you. Together we agree an initial consultation and shape the support that feels right.
3. Your care begins
A small, familiar team starts your care, arriving at the agreed times and staying involved as your needs change. We remain your trusted adviser throughout.
Whenever you are ready, we are here to help.