Aim

To provide support to carers of people with mental illness, intellectual disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorders by increasing their access to a flexible range of respite services on the Far North Coast.

Target Group

• Carers of people with a mental illness.
• Carers of people with an intellectual disability or Autism Spectrum Disorder who have complex care needs and/or severe behavioural problems.
• Carers of people with a dual diagnosis.

Priority for Service

• Older parent carers over 65 years of age (or 50 if indigenous).
• Carers aged 55 to 65 years of age who care for people in the target group.
• Carers of any age who care for people in the target group, who require crisis respite care (unplanned respite).

Carers eligible to receive respite services under the Mental Health Respite Program (MHRP) must be providing some form of care on a regular basis. The type of care provided must be assistance with the core activities of self-care, communication or mobility. If the carer is not providing this type of care between episodes they are an ‘inactive’ carer and their request for respite is considered a low priority for service.

Objectives

• To tailor and develop innovative options appropriate to the needs of the carer and the care recipient.
• To provide flexible short term, planned respite that meets the needs of the carer and the care recipient.
• To link carers to other services that can assist them in their caring role.
• To provide emergency respite where appropriate in times of crisis for the carer.
• To work with other services to improve access to and identify gaps in services for carers of a person with a mental illness or intellectual disability in the Far North Coast

How We Work

• We provide flexible short term, planned respite to give the carer a break.
• We provide emergency respite in times of crisis when the carer is no longer able to continue with their caring role.
• We work closely with mental health teams and other mental health support services to ensure respite provided is responsive to the needs of both the carer and the care recipient.
• We work with family and carer mental health support services to link carers to carer education and advocacy.
• We consult with mental health and disability respite providers to improve access to ongoing services where available.

The Process

• We determine eligibility for assistance through our intake and assessment process, which includes the use of a Carer Assessment Tool.
• We may arrange for an in-home assessment by an external agency to determine the level of service required.
• A Mental Health Risk Assessment will be completed on each occasion of service. The Mental Health Risk Assessment needs to be current – completed within 7 days of service occurring and is completed by:
  • A Mental Health Case Manager or Psychiatrist – if the care recipient is known to them
  • A GP – if the care recipient is unknown to mental health services
  • We will arrange for an independent assessment from a qualified mental health professional – if the care recipient is unknown to Mental Health Services or a GP

• We will ensure that both the carer and the person they care for are satisfied with the assistance provided.
• We will, with the carer, develop an emergency care plan to be used during the respite period should there be any crisis that may affect the safety of the care recipient or the worker providing the respite.
• We will investigate other ongoing relevant services that may meet the carer and care recipient’s needs before considering service.
• We will ask permission of the carer before referring to another service.
• We will not provide respite in situations where the recipient is unwell and an acute care setting would be more appropriate.

Who Can Refer To Us

Carers, Family Members, Community Service Providers, Health Care Workers, General Practitioners (GPs), Mental Health Workers.