Provision of care is an aspect of our Dunedin Home-based Family Support service. We aim to provide emergency, short-term, or respite care for children aged from birth to 17 years. Respite care is provided as part of a wider plan of support developed with the family.
You can self-refer through this website, by email or by calling us. You can also be referred by healthcare or education providers, legal professionals, or community workers.
One of the ways we can support whānau is by providing temporary voluntary care for children, organising respite and/or short-termcare for tamariki up to 17 years in the greater Dunedin area.
This service recognises that a regular planned break from parenting can provide a chance for someone to recharge so they can be the parent they want to be. There is an assessment process to determine whether care is the appropriate kind of support.
Whānau who receive respite care are engaged with support services, either our own or those from other organisations, and are actively working on making changes for their whānau so their tamariki can thrive. Respite dates are set in advance so they can be part of a support plan for your whānau. We regularly review our care plans to check in on how the placement is going for you and your child, and whether care is supporting the changes you want to make.
Our caregivers provide care in a variety of ways, including emergency/crisis care, respite care, and short-term care. Where possible, we can approve someone known to the child to be a “kinship caregiver” to provide care just for them. If this is not an option we may be able to find someone in our caregiver pool who can help.
All of our caregivers (including kinship caregivers) are required to undergo the following checks: Police check, Oranga Tamariki Check, Medical check, safety audit of their home, referee checks. These checks are updated every two years. They also undergo an interview and training prior to being approved as caregivers. Caregivers are supported by our Caregiver Liaison Social Worker.
A journey that profoundly impacted their lives, bringing immense rewards and strengthening their family bond
You can self-refer through the HBFS form (link) or contact one of the HBFS team leaders on 0800FAMCARE to do a referral over the phone. If you are working with another professional, they can also refer you to HBFS for temporary care.
Respite care may be suitable if you are not getting a regular break from parenting and you are finding it hard to manage, you are working with supports to help improve your whānau situation, and having a regular break would help you make the changes you want to make. There is an assessment process, and everyone’s situation is a little different. We need to ensure that care is in the best interests of your child. They need to be ok about going to respite care and we also may need to seek consent from the other guardian (if living separately) if it is appropriate and they are contactable.
Absolutely! If kinship care isn’t an option, we would see if there was anyone in our pool of caregivers that could help. If so, we would give you a little information about them to see if you and your child would like to meet the prospective caregiver. Your HBFS social worker would arrange a meeting at the caregiver’s home. After this meeting your worker would see if you, your child, and the caregiver want to go ahead with the placement. We may be able to offer a different caregiver if needed, although this is not always possible.
It is similar to packing your child’s bag for a sleepover with a friend: clothing for the period they will be there; toiletries; any medication they need; nappies/pull-ups if needed; if they have a special toy that they sleep with or favourite book or fidgets toys. Caregivers are provided with a small board payment to help with food costs, heating etc. Pick up and drop off arrangements are discussed as part of organising the care; often caregivers can help with transport if needed.
All of our care is voluntary. You can end a placement with 24 hours’ notice by letting your HBFS know.
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