NDIS Respite Care: Recharge & Reconnect With Nature

Respite typically refers to a short period of rest or relief, often used in the context of caregiving, where a temporary break or assistance is provided to caregivers looking after individuals with special needs or health issues. It allows caregivers to recharge, reducing stress and promoting overall well-being.

We provide short term respite care for those looking to have a break from everyday life and recharge their batteries.

We provide respite care for NDIS participants (National Disability Insurance Scheme) who are plan-managed and self-managed.

Currently we cannot provide respite care to every NDIS participant but we will strive to help wherever possible.

If you are unsure, you can ask your NDIS representative directly or you can find information on the NDIS website regarding NDIS funding and financial NDIS assistance.

This is dependent on the participants’ individualised plan. Most participants stay 7-14 days. Our respite care service has a minimum stay period of seven (7) days.

We provide a recreational respite and do not currently offer medium term accommodation.

Yes. If you’re also seeking assistance with addiction and mental health issues alongside your respite care, we have a comprehensive addiction and mental health program that we can customise for you that addresses your respite and recovery needs.

Due to Southern Highlands’ rural setting, there are some accessibility challenges which we are actively addressing, however, please contact us to discuss your specific requirements so we can determine if our facilities can meet your needs.

Yes. We can make accommodations for a carer to be with you throughout your stay.

Unfortunately, no. Generally, it is more effective for teenagers to participate in programs specifically focused on teens, due to their unique life stage and their different learning and social needs.

No, participants cannot leave the property without direct staff supervision or without prior consultation with staff.

However, you do get the opportunity to participate in some weekly activities which are held off site from Southern Highlands and are supervised by staff.

Participants must attend on a voluntary basis. This means that you understand what Southern Highlands offers and have consulted with your support team and made the decision yourself to come.

Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate people with serious unmanaged mental illness or a significant history of perpetrating violence.

Yes you can.

Please ensure that you only bring prescribed medications from a doctor to Southern Highlands. Any unboxed or non-prescribed medications will be confiscated.

No. We already have a number of animals at Southern Highlands.

Coffee is available onsite and on some offsite outings there is an opportunity to purchase coffee at a cafe. However, to ensure that you can relax and sleep well at night we recommend only decaf or herbal teas in the afternoon and evening.

We strongly discourage romantic relationships as you have enough to deal with in addiction recovery without having to negotiate a new relationship. Often seeking or starting a new relationship in rehab is a subconscious way of avoiding dealing with what you need to and therefore most ‘rehab relationships’ do not last.

Sexual activity between guests can be a reason for exclusion from the program.

Most relationships that begin in rehab do not last. In fact, starting a relationship can be a subconscious way of avoiding dealing with what you need to. Any sexual activity between guests can be a reason for exclusion from the program.

Yes, guests may bring their phone, laptop or tablet. We do not restrict access, other than during therapy, activities and meal times. However, if you wish to make the most of our program we encourage you to limit using these devices or to even give it to us for safe-keeping. Spending excessive time on your phone or devices can become an easy way to subconsciously avoid the important personal work involved with your recovery.

The best coverage is available with Telstra (or Telstra related providers such as Aldi Mobile and Belong) and Optus. Vodafone is either limited or does not work on our property. Other providers not listed may not have service, please be aware and prepared for potential reception problems.

We do not provide wifi to guests. However, there are a couple of computers available for guest use that are connected to the Internet. Due to the fact that we are on a satellite connection, data is limited and not suitable for video streaming.

The management of Southern Highlands reserves the right to discharge any participant from our treatment program, and no refund will be given, for any of the following reasons:

• A participant is found to be intoxicated (with alcohol or drugs) during their stay at our facility or is in possession of any alcohol or non-prescribed drugs. This includes refusal to take a drug test or alcohol test.

• A participant causes disruption to the treatment program and/or disturbs the treatment of other clients during their stay. This includes, but is not limited to, inappropriate behaviour, theft, and the breaking of federal or state laws.

• Refusal to comply with the treatment program. This includes but is not limited to, leaving the property without approval, leaving the group without approval when on an excursion, serious non-participation or active undermining of the program.

• Undisclosed acute mental illness or criminal history.

• A participant is found to be medically or psychologically unstable/ unfit to stay in the program. (In this situation, a refund will be considered on a case-by-case basis).

• Any sexual activity between participants/guests.

Arrival after 2 pm on your scheduled day of admission. Our admission day is Tuesday (prior to 2 pm) and no admission will be accepted on other days or at later times.

On arrival, if we find you have withheld important relevant information, you will not be admitted.

If we assess your condition to be high risk, we will refer you to a medical detox facility or mental health facility, for your own safety.

Yes, our ndis sta is disability friendly, with largely flat grounds for accessibility.