New Directions for Respite Services: new DADHC discussion paper

The Respite Directorate of the NSW Dept of Ageing, Disability and Home Care has released:

New Directions for Disability Respite Services in NSW: A discussion paper inviting feedback.

From the Introduction:

The New Directions for Disability Respite Services in NSW discussion paper has been developed to assist in the reform and expansion of disability respite services1. It will guide the way future disability respite services are delivered, how people access those services, the types of services provided, the settings in which they are delivered and the development of new respite services across the sector.

Stronger Together: A new direction for disability services in NSW: 2006-2016 commits the NSW Government to expanding existing respite services and building a more flexible and responsive disability respite service system. Also driving the expansion of respite services for people with a disability and their carers/families is the NSW Carers Action Plan 2007 – 2012.

In order to consider different approaches and better ways to deliver respite services, the NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC) has been consulting with a wide range of stakeholders and reviewing national and international research along with key research conducted locally by Interchange NSW and Carers NSW.

This paper broadly outlines the direction we intend to take to reform and expand respite services in NSW. We are now seeking your input to ensure we get the mix and balance of disability respite services right for the people who use them. With your assistance we are hoping to build a respite service system that is more responsive to the individual needs of people with a disability and their carers and families. The strategy will guide future respite service system reform, commencing in 2009/10.

DADHC invites comment and feedback from people with a disability, their carers and families, advocates and service providers. We have included sets of questions as a guide when considering your comments and feedback. The questions are a guide only and all input is very welcome.

Comments are invited to be submitted by Friday 26th June 2009.

Down Syndrome NSW will be making a response, and individuals are encouraged to as well.