When the new NDIS funding commenced it was believed that respite would not be offered as part of participants’ funding packages, as it was thought to benefit family and carers, rather than the individual with a disability who is receiving the funding. To the great relief of many people, the NDIA now recognises that informal support of family or carers is important to meet the needs of people with a disability and helps maintain the close supportive relationships between families and carers.

Currently there is no item listed under NDIS specifically as ‘respite’ which can cause some confusion. Respite is available but is now referred to as:

Basically this means respite options in an area – such as flexible, in-home respite, centre based day respite or overnight respite are able to be funded as part of NDIS plans, providing you are deemed eligible. As rewarding as it is to care for a loved one, carers need a regular break as often they have overwhelming responsibilities, and sometimes other factors such as illness and ageing can place their wellbeing at risk and in turn compromise their ability to continue in they’re caring role.

In 2006, Interchange Australia purchased a four-bedroom property in Burradoo to meet the demand for respite services in the Wingecarribee Shire. The property was named Springett House in honour of the donation the Springett Family Foundation made towards the purchase. Demand has remained high for these services. In 2008, the Kollege of Knowledge Kommittee for Kids (KKKK) renovated the garage into a studio to increase capacity. In 2015, the KKKK funded the addition of a bedroom to the studio to accommodate staff caring for people with high care needs.

While a client is enjoying a great weekend of new experiences with friends, families and carers can have time to themselves which can help them re-charge, re-energise, get on top of things, or spend time with other loved ones.