Home away from home for Aucklanders with disabilities
- December 2011Every month, 120 families in Auckland benefit from the respite services provided by NZCare.
NZCare supports people 16 years and older who have intellectual and/or physical disability, or an autistic spectrum disorder, in three dedicated services.
By providing a home away from home, these services also make a huge difference to families, as they allow full-time carers to have some time to do things for themselves.
Debra Bennett cares full-time for her brother, Tony. She was recently able to use Tony’s time in respite to enjoy her first holiday in over 10 years. “I could enjoy my holiday knowing that Tony was safe and would be happy in the respite services,” says Debra.
Kani Oxborrow is the full-time carer of her niece, Ana, who has some complex support requirements. Respite has given the family time to spend together knowing that Ana is being supported in a safe environment with staff who the family can trust.
Providing valuable respite services for families can result in a complex service. Each month, 120 people receive respite support that is tailored to suit their unique support plan, risk plan and identified goals.
“At any given time, there can be 30 different people staying in the services, each with individual support requirements,” says Area Manager Michelle Walsh.
“To manage this, our staff are trained to provide appropriate support. Each service always has a team leader and senior staff on shift, and we manage risk through robust processes that ensure that medication, clothes and money are checked in and out with each person.”
While attending the service, people are supported to continue their day-to-day lives, whether that is attending school or other services.
Each service has close contact with the families it supports and is led by family advisory groups. These groups meet quarterly and support the services by providing contributing ideas that promote continuous improvement, and by contributing to policy development and participating in audits.