Young Carer Program - Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres
The government respite initiative for young carers was launched in 2005 to help young carers with completing school homework and study. Respite is another word for having a break from caring responsibilities. The idea behind the initiative is to provide young carers with a break from caring so that they can do their homework.
If you are
under the age of 25 years and provide
substantial care and support for a parent, sibling, partner, child, relative or friend, who has a disability, long-term illness, is frail aged, or who has a mental or physical condition take a minute to ask yourself the following questions...
- Do you frequently miss school because of your caring responsibilities?
- Do you have little or no time to do your homework?
- Do you find it hard to concentrate at school or hang out with school friends?
- Are you thinking about leaving high school before the end of Year 12?
If you answered yes to one or all of these questions you may be eligible for respite. Some of the options available include
- Home respite each week during the school term to give you time to focus on your school work.
- Respite to undertake activities such as study for exams, training or recreation. This can be taken to cover exam periods or one day at a time when you feel stressed about caring and trying to study. Help with school work is also provided by some respite centres through a tutoring program.
- Social Activities to link you in with other young carers in your local area and to give you a break. These vary from centre to centre, so contact your local centre to see what they are offering.
- Help around the home and with transport is also offered by some respite centres.
To find out more about young carer respite initiatives and to see if you are eligible, contact your local Commonwealth Respite & Carelink Centre, available Monday-Friday, 9am - 5pm on 1800 052 222.
To see where your nearest respite centre is and what activities and programs they provide for young carers, click on the document below.
Funding for this initiative has been provided by Australian Government Department of Family, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Commonwealth Respite & Carelink Centres, also called CRCCs, provide information and advice about the kinds of respite that are available, whether it planned respite or emergency respite, and are responsible for managing this new young carer initiative.)
