Respite Services........... Connor House

What Is Connor House Respite Care Service?

Connor House Respite Care Service provides a respite care service for adults who have an disability. The service is available for people who live with their families in the municipalities of the Mornington Peninsula Shire and Frankston City.

The primary object of Connor House Respite Care Service is to provide arranged regular breaks for parents/carers so as to avoid family crisis situations and to enhance the life of the person with the disability, as well as other family members. The service aims to provide a high level of appropriate care and activities in a home-like setting and to encourage skills enhancing their independence. The service also aims to promote a greater understanding of the needs of people with a disability throughout the wider community.

Stays may be for one night, a weekend or longer if parents/carers need a longer break. We have four beds available with an emergency fifth bed in the main house and two beds in an independent accommodation unit. The accommodation unit provides for people whose independence enables them to provide for their own personal needs.

Connor House Respite Care Service is open throughout the year with the exception of some days over Christmas. Clients must have a day placement service or other family arrangement Monday to Friday as current funding does not allow us to provide a respite service during the day (weekends excepted). Transport between the respite service and their day placement or family location must be arranged by the service user.

When funds are available Connor House Respite Care Service also operates two school holiday programs each year with activities, visits and programs taking place in the local and wider communities.

A nominal bed fee which is used to offset the cost of operating expenses, is charged. The Department of Human Services provides a grant that covers basic staff salaries and we fund all shortfalls or other expenses from fees, fundraising, donations or other grants.

Connor House Respite Care Service has been supporting families and people with a disability since 1990 and is recognised as a quality person focussed service which enhances the dignity, self esteem, health and well-being of individuals and their families.

Peninsula Respite Holiday Program

This school holiday program will provide a range of activities which stimulate and are enjoyable for participants while providing families and carers with a day respite service.

The activities will utilise community/regional facilities, programs and services. An appropriate staff and volunteer ratio will provide for the maximum and safe participation of everyone taking part. The program is available for people 6 - 18 years who have a disability. The program will service the municipalities of Frankston City and Mornington Peninsula Shire.

Statement of Purpose

1. Manage and maintain a respite care service for people with a disability.
2. The respite care to provide:
   • appropriate care and activities in a home like setting
   • encourage skills to enhance independence.
3. Provide regular respite care for parent/care givers so that crisis situations may be avoided.
4. Promote within the general public a greater understanding of the needs of people with a disability.
5. Prepare such publicity as the house feels necessary in order to promote the purpose and availability of the respite service.
6. Co-operate with statutory authorities and other bodies working in the respite field for the purpose of expanding and improving existing facilities as necessary.
7. Undertake such activities as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of any, or all of the above purposes