A Unique Service
The Time for Kids model of respite care is unique in South Australia. This results in the delivery of a preventative, restorative and holistic approach to caring for children who have been abused or neglected, and those who are at risk of this happening. Many children live with parents struggling to cope with multiple challenges, have parent/s in prison, are under the Guardianship of the Minister, and many live with grandparents or other relatives.
Respite care is provided for children who are under the Guardianship of the Minister with the same caring family for one weekend every month, rather than with a series of paid shift workers in a motel, which is the common alternative option for respite care.
Time for Kids is unique in South Australia in offering regular respite care to children who are identified as being at high risk of delinquency, truancy, homelessness or entry to state care. These children are referred to us by community workers, social workers, teachers and doctors, who have identified the families and children as being at very high risk.
Time for Kids has a strong focus on early intervention, early childhood development and taking a preventative approach to keeping families intact and to strengthening the resources and support available to marginalised families.
Time for Kids offers disadvantaged children positive childhood experiences, acceptance, respect, care, positive
adult and peer role models and a break from a stressful home life. We provide a network of supportive adults
who assist children throughout their childhood and into adulthood. It is a credit to our carers that in the history
of Time for Kids services, no children have become involved in offending or the juvenile justice system whilst
participating in the program.
Time for Kids offers primary families struggling with a range of issues — such as poverty, familial incarceration,
long term unemployment, mental illness, physical and intellectual disabilities, substance abuse, gambling,
violence and anti-social behaviour — access to financial counsellors and social workers to help strengthen the
child’s primary family. We do this through the provision of training, activities, material resources and
counselling.
All of our carers are volunteers and receive no government reimbursement. This is a critical factor in the
successful outcomes for children. Children are aware when payments are made. This can alter their view of the
reasons why carers would wish to care for them. With our model, the children know from the outset that
carers are offering their homes and their time because they care about the child, rather than because they are
receiving payment. For some children this is their first experience of this in their lives.
Many carers continue to have a relationship with the child in their care, and offer support into adulthood. We know that young people require support for far longer than 18 years, particularly when they are traumatised due to experiencing or witnessing abuse. This ongoing support helps protect young people from homelessness and improves education and employment outcomes. This support and reference point is particularly important to young people leaving the State Care system at the age of 18 years, who often lack adequate levels of ongoing support.