”While carers often focus on the person they’re supporting, it’s crucial you also receive support themselves.
Caring for a loved one with a disability is a rewarding yet demanding role. Over time, the physical, emotional, and mental toll can lead to burnout if carers do not receive adequate support. This is where respite care becomes essential—and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can help fund it. However, navigating the NDIS to access respite support isn’t always straightforward. That’s where a Support Coordinator plays a crucial role.
What is Respite?
Respite refers to support for a short stay out of the home. It is designed to give you a break from the caring role, while knowing your loved one is being properly looked after. It can also be used to support your loved one to increase their independence or build their skills – depending on their individual circumstances. The goal is to maintain the carer’s wellbeing while ensuring the person with a disability continues to receive safe and appropriate care.
All STA including respite support falls under the “Core Supports – Assistance with Daily Life” category in your NDIS funding. If STA isn’t a stated part of your NDIS plan, you can still choose to use your Core budget to fund STA; provided it helps you pursue your goals. Usually, the NDIS funds up to 28 days of STA per year.
How a Support Coordinator Can Assist Carers Accessing Respite Through the NDIS
There are 5 steps a support coordinator can take to secure you a well-deserved break from your caring responsibilities. These steps include:
1. Identifying the Right Type of Respite
Not all respite is the same. A Support Coordinator can help identify the most suitable form of respite based on the needs and preferences of the participant and the health and capacity of the carer. Other considerations include the availability of providers in the local area and short-term vs ongoing respite needs.
This personalised approach ensures both the carer and the person with a disability feel confident and supported.
2. Understanding and Navigating the NDIS Plan
NDIS plans can be complex, and it’s not always obvious where respite care fits in. A Support Coordinator can review the participant’s plan for Core Supports funding or Short-Term Accommodation (STA) and clarify how much funding is available for respite.
They act as a translator between the NDIS language and real-life carer needs, providing advice on how to use flexible funding to meet respite needs
4. Advocating for More Support if Needed
If the current plan doesn’t meet respite needs, a Support Coordinator can help gather evidence from carers and health professionals and request a plan review for a change of circumstances. They ensure carers’ voices are heard and their wellbeing is taken seriously, helping document the information needed for increased respite funding in future plans.
5. Building Long-Term Sustainability
Beyond short-term fixes, Support Coordinators help families create a sustainable support network, which may include regular respite arrangements, emergency backup plans and peer support and counselling referrals for carers.
This long-term view helps prevent burnout and supports carers in maintaining their role without sacrificing their own health.
While carers often focus on the person they’re supporting, it’s crucial they also receive support themselves. A Support Coordinator plays a key role in bridging the gap between NDIS funding and real-world respite care, making the process smoother, more accessible, and tailored to each family’s unique circumstances.
Don’t have a support coordinator and just looking for a registered NDIS provider who has respite? Focal has two properties located in Ipswich and Brisbane that support participant goals and offer flexible, reliable short stays. Learn more about respite at Focal.
Written by: Scott Thomson
Support Coordination Manager
Scott brings years of experience working within disability services. Having worked within multiple disability service organisations, Scott has a thorough understanding of what makes a positive experience for participants under the NDIS and values his role in supporting participants and families in a hands-on way.
