Respite Care for Children
Flexible Respite Support for Children with Disability
Children thrive when they feel safe, understood and included. At Our Family Respite, our respite care for children provides a welcoming family environment where children with disability can build confidence, develop everyday skills and enjoy meaningful experiences while allowing parents and carers to recharge.
Our home-style approach focuses on creating genuine connections through familiar routines, consistent support and carefully matched host families. Every child’s needs, interests and personality are considered to help them feel comfortable from the very beginning. Contact Our Family Respite to learn whether home-style respite is the right fit for your child.
10+ Years Supporting NSW Families
Hundred of Respite Services Delivered
Transparent Pricing with No Hidden Costs
Rated 5 Stars by Families We Support
Flexible Support As Plans Change
Supports Daily Living & Independence
WHAT WE DO
What Is Respite Care for Children?
Respite care for children gives families the opportunity to take a planned break while their child enjoys a safe, supportive stay with a carefully matched host family. Rather than simply providing supervision, respite creates opportunities for children to experience everyday family life, build relationships and develop confidence in a welcoming home environment.
Our flexible respite options include:
- Overnight respite care
- Weekend respite care
- Short-term accommodation (STA)
- School holiday respite
- Emergency respite care
Every stay is personalised to suit each child’s routines, interests and support needs. Whether they’re helping prepare dinner, enjoying a favourite game, visiting a local park or simply relaxing with their host family, children are encouraged to feel like they genuinely belong while feeling safe, supported and valued.
WHO IT MAY SUIT
Is Respite Care Right for Your Child?
Every child is different, and so is every family.
Our respite care for children may be suitable if your child would benefit from spending time with another caring family while maintaining familiar routines and personalised support. It can also provide parents and carers with the opportunity to rest, focus on siblings, attend appointments or simply take time to recharge.
Many families initially worry about how their child will adjust. That’s completely understandable. With thoughtful matching, gradual introductions and consistent support, many children become more comfortable over time as they build familiarity with their host family.
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HOW IT WORKS
How Child Respite Works at OFR
A positive respite experience often begins well before the first stay. At Our Family Respite, we take the time to get to know your child and your family before confirming whether a home-style respite arrangement is the right fit.
The process may include:
- An initial conversation with your family
- A discussion about your child’s routines, interests, support needs and preferences
- Reviewing NDIS funding and preferred respite dates
- Completing participant information
- Carefully matching your child with a suitable host family where possible
- A meet-and-greet before the first stay where appropriate
- Ongoing communication with families and support coordinators
- A review after the stay to discuss what worked well and any future support needs
Every host family is carefully selected, and matching considers your child’s routines, communication style, support needs and the suitability of the home environment. Our goal is to help every child feel comfortable, supported and at home from the very beginning.
EVERYDAY EXPERIENCES
What Happens During a Respite Stay?
Every respite stay is different because every child is different.
Rather than following a rigid schedule, children participate in everyday family life in ways that suit their age, interests and abilities. This may include:
- Helping prepare simple meals
- Playing games together
- Visiting local parks or playgrounds
- Watching a favourite movie
- Arts and crafts
- Reading books together
- Baking or cooking
- Spending quiet time chatting
- Joining family outings where appropriate
These everyday moments often become the experiences children remember most because they help create a sense of belonging and connection. If you’re considering respite care for your child, we’re here to help. Contact Our Family Respite to learn more about our family-centred approach, ask any questions you may have, and explore whether our respite care for children is the right fit for your family.
LOCATIONS
Respite Care for Children Across Sydney and NSW
Our Family Respite provides respite care for children across Sydney and surrounding areas of New South Wales.
We proudly support families throughout:
Our team carefully matches each child with a suitable host family to provide consistent, personalised support close to home whenever possible.
WHY FAMILIES CHOOSE US
Personalised Respite Care Designed Around Your Child
Every child deserves to feel comfortable, accepted and supported when they’re away from home. That’s why we take the time to understand each child’s unique personality, routines and support needs before respite begins.
With more than 20 years of experience supporting families, Our Family Respite provides personalised, home-style respite that focuses on building trust, familiarity and meaningful relationships.
Families choose us for our:
- Carefully matched host families based on each child’s individual needs
- Welcoming home-style environment where children can feel safe and included
- Flexible support for overnight, weekend, short-term, school holiday and emergency respite
- Thoughtful introductions and meet-and-greets where appropriate
- Open communication with families and support coordinators throughout the respite journey
- Commitment to helping children build confidence, independence and a sense of belonging
Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, we focus on creating respite experiences that feel familiar, supportive and tailored to each child, giving families confidence that their child is in caring and capable hands.
Why OFR does child respite differently
Our Family Respite was created because respite should feel safe, personal and familiar. We believe children and families deserve support that feels more like a real home environment, not a clinical or institutional setting. Our host-home model is designed around careful matching, consistency and support that reflects the child’s routines, needs and preferences.
Speak With Our Team
Have a question or want to talk through your options? Our team is here to listen and help you figure out what support might work for your family.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean when a child is on respite?
When a child is on respite, they stay with a trusted respite provider for a short period while their parent or carer takes a planned break. During their stay, the child continues to receive personalised support in a safe and welcoming environment.
How do I get respite for my child?
Contact Our Family Respite to discuss your child’s needs. If your child has NDIS funding, respite may be available through their plan.
What help is available for children with autism?
Our Family Respite provides personalised respite care and short-term accommodation for children with disability, including children with autism, depending on their individual needs and NDIS plan.
What age can children access respite care?
Eligibility depends on each child’s individual circumstances and support needs. Contact us to discuss your family’s situation.
What happens if my child is nervous?
Many children need time to settle into something new. We use careful matching, introductions and consistent support to help children feel comfortable at their own pace.
What should my child bring?
We’ll let you know what to pack before each stay, including clothing, personal items, medications (where required) and any comfort items your child would like to bring.
How often can my child access respite?
Some families use respite regularly, while others access support during weekends, school holidays or at times when extra help is needed.
Will my child stay with the same host family?
Where possible, we aim to provide consistency by matching children with the same host family so relationships can develop over time.