our family respite

Emergency Respite Care

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When urgent situations disrupt your regular care arrangements, Our Family Respite steps in with fast, short-term support for children and young adults with disabilities. We offer NDIS-funded emergency respite placements across the Central Coast, Newcastle, and North and Western Sydney.

Each placement is delivered in structured, 24-hour blocks by experienced staff trained in behavioural, emotional, and personal care. Whether you’re facing a medical emergency, sudden change in family dynamics, or a breakdown in usual care, we provide a safe, calm space your child can trust. Contact us now for fast, reliable support at just one call away

Child in a wheelchair playing in a park, symbolising support and freedom through emergency respite care services.
Man and woman in car enjoying a peaceful moment outdoors, representing the benefits of emergency respite care.

Emergency Respite Care for Children & Adults

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Our emergency respite care for children offers 24-hour overnight care, NDIS-funded placements in calm, structured environments tailored for ages 5 to 90. Each stay includes full personal care, sleep routines, emotional support, meals, and behavioural assistance, all delivered by trained staff who specialise in short-term disability care.

This is not general babysitting or casual supervision; it’s purpose-driven care for families who need temporary care for a child in unexpected events urgently or on a short-term, recurring basis.

We support bookings from:

  • Overnight placements (minimum one night)
  • Weekend or multi-day arrangements
  • Fortnight-long placements
  • Ongoing monthly stays (e.g. 2 nights/month)

All placements are managed by our experienced coordination team, ensuring each participant is placed in a care setting that suits their specific support needs.

Get Urgent Respite Care Services Across NSW

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Families from the Central Coast, North and Western Sydney to Newcastle trust our service for fast response and consistent care. Our emergency respite care service steps in quickly when unexpected situations arise, such as illness or a sudden breakdown in care. 

We prioritise urgent placements and can coordinate same-week stays for participants needing reasonable and necessary supports under the NDIS. With fast turnarounds and in-depth knowledge of NDIS funding pathways, we make the process smooth and stress-free. 

Every emergency placement delivers full 24-hour care, with routines, supervision, and emotional support handled by trained staff who specialise in disability care. We act quickly, communicate clearly, and provide stability during moments of uncertainty.

Need urgent respite support? Contact Our Family Respite to secure a safe, professional placement you can count on.

Child with headphones enjoying fireworks at crowded stadium event with carer, supported by respite care services.
Children and carers bonding with ducklings during Emergency Respite Care For Children at a supervised and nurturing animal farm.

What Qualifies as Urgent Respite Care?

Urgent respite care may be required when a family experiences a sudden or unexpected disruption in care. Common qualifying situations include:

  • A parent or primary carer becomes ill or hospitalised
  • The usual support worker is unavailable or suddenly withdraws
  • Carer fatigue, mental health concerns, or burnout
  • Crisis or domestic incidents in the home
  • Escalation of behaviours that require a supported environment
  • School or program closures leave no other care option

At Our Family Respite, we treat these situations with urgency and compassion. If eligibility is confirmed, we can often coordinate care within 24 hours — helping you regain stability, knowing your child is safe and supported.

Is Emergency Respite for Children & Adults Covered by the NDIS?

Yes. Emergency respite is typically funded under a child’s NDIS plan through:

  • Short Term Accommodation (STA)
  • Core Supports (if flexibility exists in the budget)
  • Temporary crisis support add-ons (by plan manager discretion)

We work directly with families and support coordinators to confirm funding eligibility and process all necessary approvals.

Our Emergency Care Inclusions and Support Features

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Each stay includes a full spectrum of care and a structured routine. Your child will receive:

  • Full-time supervision and safety monitoring
  • Personal care and hygiene support
  • Meals and snacks tailored to dietary needs
  • Recreational activities and structured downtime
  • Social interaction with age-appropriate routines
  • Sleep and sensory supports (if required)
  • Transport (where pre-arranged)

Our environments are built to be safe, supportive, and calm — particularly for children with special or behavioural needs.

Who We Support in Emergency Respite Placements?

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We specialise in supporting children aged 5–17, who represent the majority of our clients. In addition, around 40% of our clients are adults aged 18 and above, depending on individual needs and compatibility with existing placements.

The majority of our emergency respite placements involve participants with:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Developmental Delay
  • Down Syndrome
  • Physical Disabilities

All placements are assessed individually to ensure the right fit between the participant, care environment, and available support team. Many of our clients build recurring bookings for consistency and relief from care responsibilities. Contact us now to check urgent placement availability or discuss how we can support your child in an emergency.

How Does Our Emergency Child Respite Care Process Work?

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  1. Initial Enquiry: Families or coordinators can reach out directly by phone or online. We’ll take an overview of your child’s needs, current supports, and urgency.
  2. Suitability and Funding Review: We quickly assess your child’s eligibility, care needs, and funding status.
  3. Placement Matching: We match your child with a suitable care environment and confirm booking details, including length of stay, preferences, and routines.
  4. Service Delivery: Once placed, your child receives 24-hour care with personal support, meals, routines, and supervision. 
  5. Ongoing Coordination (if needed): Some families choose to book recurring overnight care, such as two nights per month, as part of a long-term support plan.

Our model of child care respite focuses on structure, safety, and social connection — combined with the flexibility and speed required during emergencies. We’re ready to support families when you need it most.

Why Families Choose Our Emergency Respite Care Services?

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At Our Family Respite, we’ve built our reputation on providing reliable, NDIS-funded emergency respite care that supports both children and their families through challenging times.

Here’s why families choose us:

  • Fast response and same-week availability for urgent bookings
  • 15+ years of experience supporting children with autism, developmental delays, and physical disabilities
  • Calm, structured overnight environments focused on safety and emotional regulation
  • Staff trained in trauma-informed care and behavioural support
  • Clear coordination with NDIS plan managers and support teams
  • Transparent communication and compassionate, person-centred service

We understand how critical emergency care can be — and we act quickly, professionally, and with care.

Contact us today to arrange emergency respite with a team you can trust.

faqs

Frequently Asked Questions

24-hour overnight care for children aged 5–17 during times of crisis or unplanned disruption.

Yes — we only offer overnight support. Hourly/day-only care is classified as support work, which we don’t provide.

NDIS may cover STA or Core Supports for short-term respite. We help coordinate with your plan manager.

At Our Family Respite, we are committed to the safety of all children we work with. This is not just a policy, this is a personal commitment from our owners, right down to all of our staff. Click HERE to view our full Child Safety policy

Our Family Respite offers emergency respite services across Sydney, the Central Coast, Newcastle, and nearby areas.

Cost depends on diagnosis, support ratio, and needs.

Yes. Stays range from one night to two weeks. Many families book 2 nights monthly.

Supervision, meals, routines, social interaction, and sensory or emotional support.