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Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

NDIS Respite & Host-Home Respite

Yes. Our Family Respite Pty Ltd is a registered NDIS provider offering respite and Short-Term Accommodation (STA) services. Our team works with participants, families and support coordinators to provide personalised respite arrangements based on individual needs and circumstances.

Host-home respite is a personalised respite arrangement where a participant stays in a suitable host carer’s home for a short period. Instead of staying in a traditional respite facility, participants can experience a more home-like environment while receiving the support they need.

At Our Family Respite, host matching considers the participant’s needs, preferences, routines and the suitability of the host-home environment.

Our Family Respite’s host-home model provides respite in a family-style home environment rather than a traditional group home or dedicated respite facility.

The focus is on finding a suitable host-home match for each participant, creating a more personalised experience around their routines, preferences and support needs. This can provide participants with an opportunity to experience a welcoming home environment while giving their usual carers a planned break.

Our Family Respite supports children, teenagers and adults with disability who may benefit from personalised respite or Short-Term Accommodation.

 

Support is tailored to the participant’s individual needs, routines and preferences. OFR works with participants, families, carers and support coordinators to help identify suitable respite arrangements and host-home matches.

Our Family Respite provides host-home respite across NSW, with services based on suitable host availability and participant matching rather than a single dedicated respite facility.

 

If you’re looking for respite in a particular area, contact our team to discuss your location, preferred dates, support requirements and current host availability. This allows OFR to determine whether a suitable host-home arrangement may be available.

HOW IT WORKS

Host Matching and Respite Process

First we always find out their name. Then we start with an initial conversation to understand the participant’s needs, what they and their family are looking for from respite, and whether our home-based model is likely to be suitable.
 
We then record the key information we have in our intake system, including the participant’s name and contact details, date of birth, address where available, reason for seeking respite, an initial picture of support needs, and the details of the parent, guardian or support coordinator we are working with.
 
More detailed information is collected through our formal onboarding process.
Host matching can begin during the initial enquiry once we have enough information to understand the participant’s needs and preferences. We consider factors such as location, availability, the host’s experience and skills, the home environment, support needs, interests and overall compatibility.
 
Before a new match proceeds to a stay, we arrange a meet and greet so the participant/family and host can make sure they are comfortable with the match, and we complete the required documentation, risk assessment, safety planning and participant-specific preparation.

Our Family Respite considers the participant’s personality, routines, preferences, support needs and the type of household environment that may suit them. We also consider the host carer’s experience, personality, interests and home environment.

We don’t place someone with a host simply because there is a vacancy. If we don’t currently have a host who is a safe and appropriate match, we continue looking for a suitable option rather than forcing a placement.

Because we regularly recruit new host carers, a suitable match may become available later. Our priority is a placement that can develop into a safe, consistent and positive relationship.

After every stay, the host completes participant-specific shift notes through our digital system, along with medication records or an incident report where relevant. The information captures what happened during the stay, including areas such as activities, wellbeing, routines, support provided and any concerns.
 
Our team reviews the information and follows up with the host, participant/family or other members of the support team if clarification or further discussion is needed. Feedback is also used to strengthen future stays.

Our model is designed around consistency and long-term relationships, so wherever possible the participant returns to the same host for regular respite. Once a successful match has been established, future dates can be arranged around the participant/family’s needs and the host’s availability, with the booking recorded through OFR so we retain oversight of the stay and the required documentation.

We first look at whether dates can be adjusted around the regular host’s availability, because continuity is an important part of our model. If another host is required, we treat this as a new match rather than simply moving the participant to an unfamiliar home. We consider suitability and compatibility, arrange an introduction/meet and greet, and make sure the replacement host has the participant-specific information, documentation and any required training before the stay proceeds.

Yes. We regularly work with support coordinators and other professionals involved in a participant’s support team, and our intake process can begin through a participant, family member, guardian, advocate or support coordinator. We also work with plan-managed arrangements and liaise with the relevant people as needed throughout onboarding, service agreements, planning and ongoing respite.

No. Location is considered, but we focus on overall suitability rather than choosing a host based only on distance.

We will not proceed with a host match that is not considered suitable. Where another suitable host is available, the team can explore alternative options.

Yes. Where suitable, we prioritise introductions before a longer stay so the participant and their family can meet the host and become familiar with the home.

The participant can meet the host, become familiar with the home and discuss routines, preferences and support needs.

We recognise that some participants may need more time to build confidence and familiarity before longer or repeat stays.

 Relevant information about the participant’s routines, preferences, communication style and support needs is considered as part of the matching and introduction process.

 Yes. Where the match continues to work well and availability allows, repeat stays with the same host may be possible.

Please contact Our Family Respite as soon as possible if the planned respite dates change. Any new dates will need to be discussed with our team and will depend on host availability and the suitability of the existing arrangement.

SAFETY & WELLBEING

Child Safety

We use child-safety measures across our services, including screening, training, supervision, risk management and clear professional boundaries. Host homes are assessed for safety and suitability before a child stays there, and risks relevant to the child are identified, documented and managed.

Yes. We support children and young people to raise concerns in ways that are safe, accessible and appropriate to their age, disability and communication needs. This may include speaking with a trusted adult, using supported communication methods, or receiving help from a parent, guardian or advocate.

Children and young people are supervised according to their age, disability and assessed level of risk. Support is delivered with transparency and visibility, while personal care is provided with respect for privacy, consent, dignity and professional boundaries.

Household members involved in service delivery receive documented child-safe briefings and must acknowledge child-safe expectations and professional boundaries before a child is supported in the home. Learn more about our child safety policy.

PRICING & FUNDING

Respite Pricing & NDIS Funding

Our pricing depends on the support being provided, including the type and duration of the stay, timing, staffing ratio and the participant’s individual support requirements. We explain our pricing before services begin. Whether NDIS funding can be used depends on the participant’s plan and current NDIS rules.

No. We do not automatically charge the maximum NDIS rates. Our approach is based on fair and reasonable pricing, sustainable access to support, and helping families manage their NDIS funding over time.

 Pricing is discussed directly with families before services begin and is always confirmed before care starts. We aim to explain costs clearly so there are no surprises.

Our team can discuss pricing with families and support coordinators based on the participant’s support requirements, circumstances and available funding. We explain costs before services begin, but NDIS funding eligibility depends on the participant’s plan and current NDIS rules. Learn more about our respite pricing.