SERVICE GUIDELINES FOR RESPITE AND FAMILY SUPPORT

CORPORATE SERVICES LEAD MEMBER BRIEFING 18TH NOVEMBER 2002 PRESENT
RYERSON ABORIGINAL STUDENT SERVICES PEER SUPPORT AT RASS
DATE DIFSOCIAL SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP RE

ENTER DISTRICT NAME HERE SERVICES PLAN FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL
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[PRODUCTS AND SERVICES PROCUREMENT TEMPLATES ASSIGNMENT OF CONTRACT

Respite guidelines

Service Guidelines for Respite and Family Support

DEFINITION

Family support provides supports to carers in their caring role and allows them to have a break from this role. It is provided through a wide range of activities/services/supports offered to, and engaged in by, people with disabilities and their families. Respite should also provide a positive experience for the person with a disability. Supports may be formal or informal, and may be provided in the home or out of the home. The source of primary care remains with the family.

TARGET GROUP

This policy framework applies to the carers of people with disabilities who are eligible for Commission funded and provided services at levels 2 and 3. Level 2 eligibility is based on assessed need and includes people with a disability that is manifest before the age of 60 years. Level 3 eligibility is based on an assessment of need for people with an intellectual disability or autism.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the family support funding program is to prevent family breakdown and premature entry to out-of-home accommodation.

Outcome Objectives

Respite and family support should be good for the person with a disability, good for the family and good for the community. It should:

strengthen and maintain the capacity of families to provide support and care;

provide a positive experience for the person with a disability; and

strengthen and build on informal and natural community supports.

FAMILY SUPPORT GUIDELINES

OBJECTIVE 1

Services strengthen and maintain the capacity of families to provide support and care for their family member with a disability.

Guidelines

Services support families/carers to define their needs and the solutions that will best assist them in the provision of care.
Services provided are flexible, holistic and individually tailored to meet the needs of the family.
Services demonstrate their capacity to assist the carer in the provision of care to their family member with a disability and/or to provide the carer with a break from caring.
Services are respectful of family cultural backgrounds and values.

OBJECTIVE 2

Services and/or supports provide a positive experience for the individual with the disability that reflects their individual choice, needs, interests, cultural background and also enhances their competence and inclusion.

Guidelines

Services are designed to meet the individual needs of the person with a disability.
Services are designed to provide developmental opportunities that strengthen individuals competence, inclusion and relationships within, and external to, the family.
Services show evidence of having considered cultural needs and background.
Services support the individual in a role valued by the community.
Services support the individual’s social and developmental needs.

OBJECTIVE 3

Services should facilitate the inclusion of families and the individual in everyday community life.

Guidelines

The service must demonstrate its ability and capacity to provide opportunities to enhance the development, continuity, stability of natural support networks and relationships in the lives of people with disabilities.
People with disabilities are assisted to participate in activities that are valued by the general community.
Services demonstrate participation in community activities.
The service provider’s policies assist people with disabilities to preserve and enhance links with their families, friends and/or other support networks.
Service outlets are located in areas that enable access by people with disabilities to community services and activities.

OBJECTIVE 4

Services and/or supports provide families and individuals with the opportunity to be actively involved in determining and developing their service and support options.

Guidelines

The service provider ensures that families and individuals are fully advised of the processes for decision making and are encouraged and supported to actively participate in those processes.
Information regarding decision making is provided in formats that are accessible to the service users.
Families and individuals are actively involved in determining and designing supports.
Service plans reflect the families’ and individual’s participation in the service design.
Individual plans show evidence of having been developed in partnership with families, individuals and significant others.

OBJECTIVE 5

Service design and delivery needs to be flexible and responsive to individuals and families preferences, changing circumstances and need.

Guidelines

The needs of people with disabilities need to be balanced with those of the family and/or the carer
Service plans are regularly reviewed and amended in consultation with family and the individual.
Service providers have a regular process that monitors the person with a disability and their families satisfaction with the level of service provided.

W:\Service Purchasing Development\SPD Shared Files\Policy\Policies\Respite and Family Support Service Guidelines.doc 24 June 2002.

C HILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
POSITION LOCAL SERVICE DIRECTOR HOURS 13 HOURSWEEKS
20022003 ACADEMIC AND SUPPORT PROGRAMS SERVICES FOR

Tags: family support, and family, family, support, service, guidelines, respite