Respite Care for Kinship Carers in the ACT

Why Respite Matters for Kinship Carers

Grandparents and relatives raising a child they did not expect to care for are often older, managing their own health issues, and carrying the emotional weight of a family crisis. Respite — a planned break from caregiving — is not a luxury. It is what keeps the placement sustainable.

The challenge for kinship carers in the ACT is knowing what respite options actually exist, who funds them, and how the process differs depending on whether your arrangement is informal or statutory.

Carer Gateway: Available to All Unpaid Carers

The Carer Gateway is a Commonwealth-funded program, delivered locally in the ACT by Carers ACT. It provides free support services to all unpaid carers, including informal kinship carers who are not in the statutory system.

Through Carer Gateway you can access:

• Respite planning — a support coordinator works with you to plan regular breaks, identify suitable respite arrangements and coordinate timing
• In-home respite — a trained worker comes to your home so you can leave for a medical appointment, run errands, or simply rest
• Emergency respite — short-notice support when an unexpected situation arises (your own illness, a family emergency)
• Carer coaching — practical strategies for managing the demands of caregiving
• Counselling — free therapeutic support for the emotional toll

You do not need a CSD referral. Contact Carers ACT directly on (02) 6296 9900 or through the national Carer Gateway line on 1800 422 737.

CSD Respite for Statutory Kinship Carers

If CSD placed the child with you under a statutory care arrangement, ask your caseworker whether planned respite can be included in the care plan. CSD can arrange planned respite through contracted out-of-home care agencies (Barnardos, Key Assets, OzChild, Australian Childhood Foundation), and the transport costs associated with respite arrangements can be covered under CSD's discretionary funding.

To arrange statutory respite:

1. Raise it with your assigned caseworker or the partner agency managing the placement
2. Respite is usually planned in advance and recorded in the care plan
3. For emergency situations — if you are suddenly unable to care for the child — contact CYPS immediately

CSD also reimburses travel costs for birth family contact visits and therapeutic appointments, which can reduce some of the transport burden on carers.

Planning Respite Around the Child's Needs

For the child, respite works best when it is predictable and explained in age-appropriate terms. A few practical considerations:

• Continuity: If the child has a good relationship with another family member or a trusted family friend, that person may be the best respite carer. For informal arrangements, there is no requirement to use a formal service.
• School schedule: Aligning respite with school holidays or weekends minimises disruption.
• Health needs: If the child takes medication or has disability-related needs, the respite carer needs clear instructions. For children on an NDIS plan, some respite services can be funded through the plan's core supports budget.
• Cultural considerations: For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in statutory care, respite arrangements should maintain cultural connections — the CSD Cultural Services Team (02 6207 2228) can advise.

What If You Cannot Cope Right Now

If you are at breaking point, do not wait for a scheduled respite arrangement:

• Carer Gateway emergency support: 1800 422 737
• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
• Child Protection Helpline (if the child is at risk): 1300 556 729

Asking for help is not a failure. It is what keeps the child in a safe, stable placement.

Building a Sustainable Routine

Respite is one piece of a larger puzzle — financial support, school enrolment, medical access and keeping your paperwork in order. The ACT Kinship Carer Support Guide covers the full picture, with contact directories and tracking worksheets so you spend less time searching for information and more time on what matters.

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