Introduction
What this support actually looks like
Short Term Accommodation, still widely called respite, covers your support, accommodation, meals and activities for a stay away from your usual home. Most plans fund up to 28 days a year, and you can use them in chunks that suit you.
Participants often tell us the stay ended up being about more than a break. It is a low-pressure way to find out what living away from home actually feels like, before anyone has to make a bigger decision.
Who this may suit
- Your family carer needs a planned break
- You would like to try living away from home for a few nights
- There is a family event, holiday or hospital stay coming up
- You want a social weekend with activities organised
- You are building toward a move into SIL
What is included
What support can include
Support is built from these elements in whatever combination suits you. Nothing here is compulsory.
✓
Accommodation
A bedroom in a supported home, with shared living spaces.
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All meals
Cooked together or prepared for you, including dietary needs.
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Personal care
The same support you would have at home.
✓
Activities
Outings, games nights and whatever the group is keen on.
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Transport
Pick-up and drop-off can usually be arranged.
✓
Overnight support
Staff on site through the night.
Short Term Accommodation — In the Community
In practice
Example activities
Real examples of how participants use this support week to week.
- A Friday-to-Sunday stay with a movie night and a Saturday outing
- A week’s stay while family are interstate
- Three trial nights before deciding about a permanent move
- School holiday stays with a group of similar age
How it works
From first call to first shift
The same four steps for every service, so you always know where things are up to.
01
Get in touch
Call us or send the request form. We will ask what you need and check we can deliver it.
02
Meet and plan
A home visit to talk through routines, preferences and worker matching.
03
Agree the detail
A written service agreement with days, hours, rates and who your contact is.
04
Start and review
Support begins, with check-ins at two and six weeks to adjust anything.
Benefits
Why participants stay with us
✓
Book ahead or short notice
Regular bookings, or a call when something comes up.
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Genuine break for carers
Support you can rely on, so the break is a real one.
✓
Trial before a bigger move
A low-stakes way to test living away from home.
✓
Same team as our SIL homes
Familiar faces if you later move in permanently.
Questions
About short term accommodation
School holidays and long weekends fill up two to three months ahead. Outside those periods a fortnight is usually enough, and we sometimes have capacity at a few days’ notice. Ring and ask — it costs nothing to check.
Clothes, medication in its original packaging, any equipment you use, and something familiar if that helps you settle. We send a short list when your booking is confirmed.
Often, yes. If you would like to book alongside a friend, tell us when you enquire and we will try to align the dates and the house.
Related supports
Often used alongside this
Supported Independent Living
Shared or individual homes with the right level of daily support.
Community Participation
Getting out, staying connected and doing more of what you enjoy.
Daily Living
Everyday personal support at home, at your pace and on your routine.