South Australian foster and kinship carers have received more than $3.7 million in additional payments over the past two years, providing practical, personalised respite support to help them recharge and improve wellbeing.

The flexible respite support payment program, which started in January 2024, offers a range of options – from short breaks to in-home support and activity-based respite – ensuring carers can access the type of help that best fits their family’s needs.

The approach recognises that respite looks different for each carer, and that flexibility is key to sustaining safe, nurturing environments.

Divided over four annual payments, carers with at least one active placement, have been receiving $800 a year, which can be used for a wide range of respite options such as babysitting and after school care, disability support services, gardening, food delivery, cleaning, extracurricular activities or supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers, children and young people with Sorry Business.

The payments are being made to more than 2350 carers.

The Department for Child Protection established the program following consultation with carers and service providers, with feedback highlighting strong support for flexibility and choice in how and when respite is accessed.

Quotes

Attributable to Katrine Hildyard

Foster and kinship carers play a vital role in the lives of children and young people who most need support. We know that caring is incredibly rewarding, but it can also be really challenging.

Respite gives carers the time and space they need to manage their own commitments, reduce stress and continue providing the high-quality care that keeps families strong.

For each carer, what gives them respite will look and feel different. They might need a short break, they might need help with cleaning or gardening, or they might need help with getting children to extracurricular activities.

We know that respite is critical to supporting the long-term stability of placements and improving outcomes for children and young people.

Carers have told us flexibility matters when it comes to respite – and the flexible respite support payment program was designed to honour that and is now making a difference.