Finding the right support is not only about meeting day-to-day needs. Sometimes, having a change of environment, a different routine or some time apart from usual care arrangements can be valuable for both participants and the people who support them.
This is where respite support can play an important role.
What Does Respite Care Mean?
Respite gives a participant an opportunity to spend time away from their usual care arrangements while continuing to receive the support they need.
For some people, that may mean staying somewhere different for a short period. For others, it may involve receiving support at home or enjoying activities outside their usual routine.
Within the NDIS, some respite arrangements may be funded as Short-Term Accommodation (STA) when they meet the participant’s disability-related support needs and are included in their plan.
The NDIS explains that Short-Term Accommodation can provide time apart from usual informal supports such as family members, friends or carers while ensuring the participant continues receiving appropriate disability-related support.
Respite Should Still Feel Personal
A change of routine should not mean giving up the things that make someone feel comfortable.
Good respite support takes into account the participant’s usual routines, interests, communication preferences and choices.
One person may enjoy getting out into the community and trying different activities. Another may prefer quieter activities, cooking, games, watching a favourite movie or simply having some relaxed time in a comfortable environment.
There is no single version of a good respite experience. What matters is that the participant feels listened to and supported in a way that works for them.
Supporting Participants and Families
Families and informal carers often provide a significant amount of everyday support.
Having appropriate respite arrangements can provide carers with time away from their usual caring responsibilities while giving the participant an opportunity to enjoy a different experience with appropriate support.
The goal should not simply be to give the carer a break. The participant’s own experience, preferences and support needs remain just as important.
The NDIS currently states that Short-Term Accommodation funding focuses on providing the disability-related support a participant needs while their usual informal supports take a short break.
What Can a Respite Experience Look Like?
It can be surprisingly ordinary, and that is often a good thing.
A participant might prepare a meal, play a game, enjoy an indoor activity, go for a walk, spend time in the community or simply relax.
These everyday moments can create opportunities for choice, confidence and connection without making every activity feel like a formal program or goal.
Support should feel like part of life, not something happening around it.
Understanding NDIS Funding
It is important to remember that not every respite arrangement is automatically funded through the NDIS.
Funding depends on the individual participant, their disability-related support needs, their plan and current NDIS funding rules.
The NDIS also has specific rules around what Short-Term Accommodation funding can and cannot pay for. For example, current guidance states that it cannot be used as general holiday funding and certain everyday costs and recreational expenses are excluded.
If you are unsure about what your plan covers, it is worth speaking with your my NDIS contact, support coordinator or plan manager.
Finding Respite Support That Feels Right
Before choosing a respite provider, think beyond availability.
Ask yourself whether the provider takes time to understand the participant. Do they ask about routines, interests and preferences? Does the participant feel comfortable around the team? Is communication clear? Can support be adapted when needs change?
These questions can make a real difference.
At Kaya Disability Supports, we believe respite should feel welcoming, respectful and built around the individual. We take the time to understand what makes each participant comfortable and what they would genuinely enjoy during their time with us.
If you would like to learn more about respite support and whether Kaya may be the right fit, our team would be happy to have a conversation.
Official sources consulted
• NDIS: What is Short-Term Accommodation? (ndis.gov.au)