Children's respite care

If you care for a sick or disabled child or young person, you may be eligible for respite care help. Respite care is short-term substitute care provided by someone other than the parents or usual carers for the child.

Who receives respite care?

Children with special needs, complex health needs, challenging behaviour or who are part of a family that has a crisis or problem they need help with may all be eligible for respite care.

And don't worry - we know that children who are referred for respite care may have gone through some difficult times. We make sure they are treated with the utmost sensitivity.

What kind of care is available?

The type of help offered or needed varies, and your needs may change over time. Some families want short breaks such as a few hours from time to time, while others want overnight stays, or help during school holidays. So, depending on the circumstances of the particular child:

• children may be looked after in their own home
• children may be linked to an individual, couple or another family on a family-based scheme, or foster carer where another household provides support
• children may go to a residential unit  – usually one specially established for respite care, or a children’s hospice, or occasionally a special hospital unit
• older children may be linked to young adults who ‘befriend’ them.

We will provide opportunities for the children to experience new activities and form relationships with new people.

How to request respite care

If you are eligible for the service, please contact the Children with Disabilities Team for an assessment.