There are approximately 35,000 children and young people in Victoria with a moderate to severe disability. Parents and siblings of the child with a disability often experience considerable stress responding to the additional needs of the child at the same time endeavouring to try to maintain relationships and respond to other stresses often experienced within families.
Services operate from a family-centred approach building upon strengths within the family and involving the community wherever possible.
MacKillop Disability Services (Metro) and Bayview Disability Services (Barwon) provide a range of services to assist families caring for children and young people with moderate to severe disabilities by being responsive, flexible, innovative and family centred.
Every family and individual we have the privilege to be involved with is unique. All team members strive to ensure that their work is person-centred, creative and innovative. Families and individuals set goals and objectives within a care plan which provides the framework for our involvement with them.
We work closely with the Department of Human Services (DHS), local government, community service organizations and schools to ensure that families are able to receive the supports they require and request. In addition we consider it important and vital to play a part in developing communities that are responsive to the needs of families with children with disabilities.
Families we worked with this year had access to one or more of the following services:
- Flexible support packages and individual support packages offering short term and intensive case management both through MacKillop and other support services which we call upon for assistance.
Contracted case management for families with children with complex medical conditions through the Royal Children’s Hospital. This enables children that are chronically ill to live at home rather than be confined to hospital.
and recreation services including, ‘Parent to Parent’ weekends, pampering sessions for mums and a day out for dads at Calder Raceway, a family camp, school holiday activites, weekly youth group, and camps for young people and children with disabilities. Respite services are also provided by volunteer caregivers in their family home
- The provision of telephone information and quarterly newsletters to families to make it easier for families to work their way through what can seem to be a maze of services.
- Teaching young adults with a disability independent living skills. Disability Services (Metro) provides a residential unit in Melbourne where young adults can live while also maintaining contact with their families. During their time at the residential unit they participate in community activities, learn to handle money, purchase food and other goods, and to cook meals. They also learn to work and live together.
- The development of a plan which assists families and individuals in planning for the long term needs and aspirations of the person with a disability, and obtaining the necessary services and supports. The plan goes to the Department of Human Services which then organises its implementation.
Many of our services are delivered through our volunteer caregivers to whom we are deeply indebted. Our caregivers provide innumerable ongoing hours of care in their own homes in a professional, committed and enthusiastic manner and we are very thankful and appreciative of the special contribution they make to the lives of the children in their care.
They also assist families to stay connected and supported in the broader community. They transport families to doctor’s appointments, meetings, shopping and social gatherings, and help the family to once again feel part of the broader community.
Bayview Disability Services
- Flexible Support Packages; Making a Difference, Family Options
- RAPT (Respite and Part Time Care)
- Family Choice
- Individual Support Packages
- Continence Scheme
MacKillop Disability Services (Metro)
- Flexible Support Packages; Making a Difference, Early Choices
- Family Choice
- Support and Choice Planning
- Special Support Unit
- Respite and Recreation
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