Childcare and respite

Childcare

Childcare services include preschool, long day care, vacation care, family day care and after-school care. Quality childcare can have a positive impact on a child’s development, language, social skills and behaviour. It can also make it possible for you to work, study, attend training or just have some time to yourself.

You will need to get caseworker approval for your child to attend an approved childcare centre for a specified number of hours or days. Approval will be recorded in the child’s Case Plan. If you are a DCJ carer, talk to your caseworker to see if you are eligible to get help with the cost of childcare. You’ll need to:

• accept liability for the childcare centre fees
• arrange to be directly invoiced by the centre
• apply for the Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate from Centrelink
• lodge the completed application form with Centrelink
• provide your caseworker with a copy of the lodgement receipt.

If you are a carer with a non-government agency, contact your caseworker for more information about your agency’s processes.

Respite

Respite provides carers with some time out from the demands of the parenting and caring role. If you feel like you need a break from your caring duties, talk to your caseworker. Your caseworker may be able to organise services or activities that interest the child or young person while giving you much needed time out, such as recreational camps, dance, drama, music, cooking, classes, team sports, childcare, vacation care or after-school care. You might also be able to access support such as in-home help or some financial assistance. All approved respite is recorded in the child’s Case Plan.

Respite can be provided by relatives, friends, neighbours, volunteers or authorised respite carers. Having the same person provide respite on a regular basis is ideal so the child or young person can form a stable relationship with them.

Any person who looks after a child or young person in statutory care on an occasional basis does not need to be authorised; this includes babysitting and overnight stays.

Any person who looks after a child or young person for regular or frequent respite care does have to be authorised.