Impact's Funded Carer’s Respite Program provides respite and social support through holiday and leisure opportunities. It is funded through the Department of Human Services (DHS). It is available to people who:

• are over the age of sixteen
• have a disability certifies by a medical practitioner
• are eligible under the Disability Services Act 1991
• live in the Northern, Western, Southern or Eastern Region, and
• are reliant on an unpaid carer
• in some cases the carer needs to be over the age of 65 year or 45 years for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

People participating in the Funded Carer’s Respite Program can choose a support option which best meets their identified needs, support requirements and interests. People can access this program to enhance living life their way, the way they choose. People are requested to discuss their options by contacting the ILS Coordinator at the Oakleigh Office.

Assessments

A member of the Impact Leisure Services (ILS) team will come to you to personally discuss the Program and conduct an assessment of your support needs.

Carers Reward

One of the Funded Carer’s Respite Program also offers a ‘Carers Reward.’ This is an opportunity for carers to experience a weekend of luxury at one of Melbourne’s leading hotels.  Alternatively the ‘Carers Reward’ may be used to contribute to other things such as concert tickets, sporting events, dinner at a restaurant, movies etc. Please note it is only available while individuals are away on their holiday and at least a month notice is required to organise your plans.

Click here to enquire about or express interest in the ILS Funded Carer's Respite Program.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is there a cost involved to be a part of the Funded Carer’s Respite Program?
There are no costs associated with the Funded Carer’s Respite Program.

How do I apply to be part of the Funded Carer’s Respite Program?
Contact Impact Leisure Services on (03) 9568 6144 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for further information on the Funded Carer’s Respite Program and a referral form.  Individuals, carers or case managers can make referrals.

Grievance and Complaints Procedure

As a participant of the Holiday Program you are encouraged to discuss with the Impact Leisure Services (ILS) team any issues that may arise.  Impact has a Grievance and Complaints policy which recognises that from time-to-time participants may have grievances which need to be resolved in the interest of good relationships.  Our policy objective is to ensure that grievances are resolved by negotiation and discussion between parties.

Our policy is based on:

• Service users having a right to have grievances heard, and dealt with, in a systematic way;
• Grievances being resolved swiftly with privacy being respected; and
• People with a grievance being entitled to representation at all stages by an advocate of their choice.

Serious allegations will be addressed within 24 hours, and in the instance of a serious complaint about an Impact Support Worker; that worker shall not have contact with the service user involved.

Note: Participants have the right for a grievance to be heard through all levels of management. If you are not happy with the outcome or the way a complaint is dealt with, you have the right to appeal to the Department Human Services (DHS) in your region.

Confidentiality Policy

All participants are entitled to have personal information treated with confidentiality.  Impact will endeavour to protect confidentiality wherever possible, and will create an environment of respect and privacy for participants.  Confidentiality applies to verbal information, written information and information stored on computers.

Participants are informed during initial contact that information given during the assessment may be shared with other Impact Support Workers.  Service users may request that information is (or is not) shared with other Support Workers. In this instance the Support Worker will inform the service users of the kind of information which must be passed onto the Team Leader in ILS.

Note: Support Workers are entitled to share information with an external supervisor where necessary for the purpose of supervision and debriefing.  Any such information disclosed will be treated confidentially by that supervisor.

The Funded Respite Program is funded through DHS and as such we are required to report date back to DHS.  It is important to note that no direct identifying information is disclosed.
Information shall remain confidential except where it involves:

• Serious illegal actions on the part of the participants; or
• Any issue which could endanger the safety of other participants or Support Workers; or
• Any issue which could endanger the participant and/or
  dependent children; or
• Where the Support Worker is obliged to make a notification to the Department of Human Services or other statutory authorities.

Decision Making and Choice

This policy formally recognises that service users have the right to make choices in all areas of their lives. We encourage and advocate that people live their life, their way, in a manner that suits them. It also recognises that services users have the right to make choices in all areas of their lives.  It also recognises that service users have to right to be represented and/or involved in decision-making processes at all levels of their service.

Decision-making and choice can occur at many levels and participants will be encouraged to participate to the maximum extent possible.  For many of the participants, their capacity to input into service decisions can be limited.  In recognition of this fact, we support the right of carers/advocates to be involved, in order that they may represent the interests of service users.

For some service users, it may be necessary for Support Workers to interpret individuals’ actions, intentions and to advocate in decision making on their behalf.  Impact acknowledges the right of participants to make choices, and to be represented and/or involved in the decision-making processes as a guiding principle.