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Respite care

 

CASPA's respite carers are an essential part of our village. They are an important part of the extended foster family unit. 

Can't commit to caring full-time? Being a respite carer means being a safe and supportive adult for a young person in a way that works for you.

Respite care vs. village care

 

RESPITE CARE

Respite care is short-stay care that provides a valuable break for long term carers and vulnerable parents. The care time can vary from a day or weekend, to a break over the school holidays.

However, respite care is often used in response to a crisis. When a child’s behaviour is “too much”, or a carer isn’t coping, respite carers have stepped in. While this has served an important purpose, it focuses on an acute problem, rather than strategies to support both carer and child to have better long-term outcomes.

At CASPA, we aim to think about respite care a little differently. We want our carers, long-term and respite, to become a village.

VILLAGE CARE

Imagine a traditional family unit. It’s rarely just parent and child. It includes the nana who sneaks the child treats and has them sleepover once a fortnight. It includes the neighbour who picks up the teens from the bus stop when the parent is running late. It includes the family friends who celebrate birthdays, babysit on date night and pop over just to say hi. This is what we mean when we say village – a connected community that looks out for one another. People you call on when you need help and when you want to celebrate together.

That is why when we refer to our respite carers, we sometimes call them village carers.

More flexibility and connection when you're part of a carer village

For long term carers, having a known network of trained carers available gives them the confidence they need to take time for themselves. For village carers, it means flexible and part-time care options that suit their lifestyle. And for both, it means another adult to share the rewards and challenges of the journey with.

A village of support for young people and their carers

CASPA aims to pair long-term carers with respite carers based on location and shared values. We think respite should be a routine part of life, including overnight stays, weekend visits, and shared activities. If long-term carers have family or friends that can help, they can choose to complete training and become trauma-informed carers with access to financial support.

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    Strong relationships

    Regular interaction with village carers introduces children to a wider network of safe, supportive adults. 

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    Prevent burnout

    Planned, expected breaks allow carers to recharge and reduces the risk of placement disruptions.



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    Reframe 'respite'

    Respite care is seen as a special and enjoyable experience that young people look forward to.

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    Improve stability

    Consistent relationships with multiple adults reduces disruption and improves long-term stability.



Other types of care

No two young people are the same, and no two carers are either. We offer a variety of different care types for young people and carers to best match their needs and way of life.

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Emergency care

Care provided at short notice, often after-hours and on weekends, when there are concerns for a young person’s immediate safety.

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Family restoration care

Collaborative care focused on supporting the whole family, with the goal of getting a young person home safely.

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Long term care

Permanent placements or guardianship for when a young person isn’t expected to return to their birth family.

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