Respite Co-ordination Groups  (RCG)

RCG Meetings are held Monthly in each LGA, see table below for dates

background

The need to establish a collaborative approach to respite provision across the MNC that would simplify entry and access to, and allocation of, respite for carers and families who have a family member with a disability was recognised by both service providers and DADHC.

In response DADHC funded a short term action research project that develop a model to enhance respite co ordination across the MNC.

 The model provides;

·        multiple points of entry into a single respite service system for carers/care recipients;

·        an area data base that is currently managed through Infoxchange;

·        the capacity for this data base to be used for planning/identifying service system requirements;

·        shared responsibility of respite care planning at monthly RCG meetings for carers/care recipients who do not have a case manager, care coordinator or key worker;

·        professional peer support/mentoring in care planning/service delivery;

·        a referral system that tracks referral pathways and outcomes;

·        commitment of agencies to follow up actions, provide feedback, complete service delivery and regularly review the agreed respite plan;

·        the capacity for agencies to share carers/care recipient information;

·        a network of service providers co-ordinating allocation of respite support to carers/care recipients.

Geographic Boundaries

 The MNC is spread across a number of LGAs and respite service providers, which adds to the complexity and difficulties consumers face in navigating their way around the respite service system. The overall area is divided into four smaller geographic areas, each of which has a respite co-ordination group:

·        Coffs Harbour /Bellingen /Nambucca - Open Arms Care (formally BSSN), Respite & Recreation, Valleys to Plateau, Holiday Coast Respite, MNC Carer Respite Centre and Carelink, ADHC Centre-based Respite and Home Care.

·        Kempsey - Kempsey Respite Services, Holiday Coast Respite, Holiday Coast Respite, MNC Carer Respite Centre and Carelink, ADHC Centre-based Respite and Home Care

·        Gloucester/Forster/Taree - Great Lakes Council, Manning Valley Respite Care, Bucketts Way Neighbourhood Group Inc, Holiday Coast Respite, MNC Carer Respite Centre and Carelink, ADHC Centre-based Respite and Home Care.

·        Hastings - Hastings District Respite Care, MNC Carer Respite Centre and Carelink, ADHC Centre-based Respite and Home Care

Each of these areas also includes case management services - HACC Community Options, ADHC Community Support Team, and Carers NSW.

AimS

 Each respite co-ordination group aims to intake and co-ordinate the provision of respite services to people with disabilities, their families and carers in the agreed geographic boundaries to facilitate:

1.         ease of access for families of people with disabilities to a range of respite service models in order to ensure flexibility;

2.        enhanced collaboration of all respite providers on the MNC;

3.        flexible and responsive service delivery in line with the needs of individuals, families and carers;

4.        meaningful and positive activities and experiences for individuals with a disability in respite care;

5.        reduced confusion and intrusion for carers;

6.        reduced assessment and administration work for respite service providers;

7.        greater and more equitable distribution of funded respite services;

8.        gathering and collation of data relating to the respite needs of carers of a person with a disability and identification of unmet need and service system capacity.

Common principles

Each respite provider participating in the MNC RCG agrees to the following Common Principles:

1.     A respite service system that provides ease of access for people with disabilities, their families and carers, and where all are considered in the provision of respite support;

2.    Respite support is provided to the person with the disability in the least restrictive way and will provide the same experiences as had by others within community;

3.    Joint respite planning that enhances partnerships and collaboration of all respite providers;

 4.    Clear and transparent communication, and recognition and acceptance of each provider’s operational processes e.g. target groups, capacity, service types etc;

 5.    Reduced duplication and streamlining of administrative processes through the sharing of information/data etc.

 6.    Maintenance and enhancement of data collection mechanisms to sustain the MNC RCG, and provide quality information and planning data to DADHC.

 

Terms of Reference

 1.        Members of each RCG will be representatives of agencies in the agreed local government areas that are funded to provide respite or access to respite to people with disabilities as one of their primary services.

 2.        Each RCG will work to develop common principles across the sector for access to respite with the aim of improving transparency and equity. Principles will be developed by agreement between agencies and the individual organisation’s policies, procedures and funding agreements will be respected (maintaining individual agencies’ autonomy).

 3.        Each RCG will provide a reference group function for regional and state planning initiatives in respite and other relevant service issues, eg transition to accommodation support, and where necessary, advise DADHC on best use of resources. This function will be achieved by collection and collation of all relevant data including demographics, service provision and unmet respite needs etc.

 4.        Each RCG will work to increase information sharing, co-ordinated sector wide planning, and development of a wide range of models to meet individual needs. Decisions regarding planning and co-ordination will be made in consultation with RCG participants.

 5.        Each RCG will also facilitate the systemic approach to problem solving and greater collaboration among respite services by developing a clear understanding of eligibility, prioritisation, capacity and allocation processes in all respite services.

 6.        RCG meetings will be organised and administratively supported by an agreed convenor.

 7.        Each RCG will have a rotating Chairperson.

 Each RCG is not the only point of referral for respite.

 Each RCG can only make recommendations, not offer/allocate respite.

 Each RCG does not provide or guarantee funding nor case management.

 Table of Meeting dates: