When there may not be other people who can help, we can offer respite care (planned or short-term) as part of our support for families, based in Dunedin.
This is when the child or children are placed with a caregiver for an agreed and regular period of time, for example one weekend a month. We may be able to provide emergency respite care if the child’s parent cannot look after them, for example if they are in hospital.
We try to find a caregiver who best matches the needs of the family. Caregivers are given ongoing support and training and receive a board payment to help cover additional costs.
There is no one particular “type” of person who is better suited to caregiving than any other. The real qualification is whether you can commit yourself wholeheartedly to meeting the child’s needs, be honest, accepting and flexible.
All caregivers are required to undergo an approval process including a police check, a health check, Ministry for Vulnerable Children - Oranga Tamariki checks, referee checks and a home-safety check.
Caregiver Doug says “Offering respite care to parents, grandparents or caregivers and their children has been a fantastic experience for us with the opportunity to offer some support to those families. Our own children have very much enjoyed the opportunity to meet and play with these kids too and we know that their caregivers have received a very much deserved day or two off from the pressure that they have been under. A very rewarding experience for our whole family.”
If you are interested in becoming a caregiver please contact us on 03 477 0801, email enquiries@familycare.org.nz or click the button below. You might also like to take a look through the information booklet.
