Respite care - under 18s with disability
Respite care is short-term or temporary care. It is designed to provide a break for parents and carers of children who require a high level of ongoing care, attention and support. Care can be provided at the family home, a centre-based service or in the home of an approved carer.
Eligibility
Parents with children under 18 years of age who meet the access requirements are able to receive funded support through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Arranging respite care
The Department for Education and Child Development (DECD) operates the respite care program that provides home- and community-based respite care services for families with children with disabilities.
The respite care program is a registered provider with the NDIS
Contact the DECD business centre to speak to a respite care program coordinator:
- metropolitan callers - 8343 6533
- country callers - 1300 551 890.
- email DECD.RCPAdmin@sa.gov.au
The NDIS website lists other services available in your area.
Fees
No fees are payable for respite care services where it is funded in the child’s NDIS plan.
Related information
Contacts
- Telephone Interpreter Service - 131 450
- National Relay Service (for those with a hearing impairment) - 133 677 or 1800 555 677
- Family Advocacy SA - 8340 4450 or country Freecall 1800 856 464
- Disability Complaints Service - 8297 3500
- The Aged Rights Advocacy Service (if you are an aged person caring for a child) - 8232 5377
- MALSSA Inc (Advocacy for children with a disability and their carers from non-English speaking backgrounds) - 8351 9500
- Ombudsman SA - 8226 8699
