Preparing for Your First In-Home Respite Shift
The first respite shift goes best when the person has met the worker, the worker has everything written down, and the first break is short. Start with a visit while you're home, then a couple of hours out, then build up to longer shifts or overnights once everyone is comfortable.
Before the First Shift
Meet the worker, show them around, and agree the plan for the shift.
- Have the worker visit while you're home, so the person sees you're comfortable with them
- Show them the home: bathroom, equipment, medication, first aid kit, keys, and the person's room
- Talk through the shift: what usually happens, what the person likes to do, mealtimes and bedtime
- Agree what to do if something goes wrong, and when they should call you
What to Write Down for the Support Worker
A one-page profile the worker can read in five minutes. Keep it on the fridge.
- How the person communicates, including signs, words or a device, and what common behaviours mean
- Routines: meals, drinks, toileting, rest and bedtime, step by step
- Likes, dislikes and what helps when they're upset
- Medication and any health plans, like a seizure management plan
- Allergies, food textures and anything they mustn't have
- Emergency contacts, and your mobile
If the person has a behaviour support plan, make sure the provider has it and the worker has read it before the shift.
Need a Break at Home?
We'll connect you with a registered NDIS provider who can send a support worker to your home.
Preparing the Person
Explain what's happening in a way that suits them, and keep it predictable.
Carer Gateway notes that respite can be a big change for the person being cared for, and suggests explaining it, finding an arrangement that suits you both and planning ahead. Some people like a photo of the worker and a visual schedule. Others do best if the worker simply joins in with a normal afternoon.
During the First Few Shifts
Keep them short and regular, and check in afterwards.
- Start with two or three hours, then build up
- Book the same day and time each week, so it becomes routine
- Ask the worker to leave a short note at the end of each shift
- Tell the provider early if something isn't working
Before a First Overnight
Do a few day shifts with the same worker first, and walk them through the night routine.
Show the worker where they'll sleep on a sleepover shift, what usually happens overnight and how to reach you. If the person often needs help through the night, ask the provider about active overnight support instead.
Questions People Ask
How long should the first respite shift be?
Short. Two or three hours is a good start, ideally after the worker has visited once while you're home.
Should I stay home during the first shift?
For a first visit, yes. After that, many carers go out for a short time and build up from there.
What if the person I care for doesn't like the worker?
Give it a few shifts if you can, then tell the provider. Asking for a different worker is reasonable.
Keep Reading
- Respite care at homeWhat in-home respite looks like: a support worker comes to your home, takes over the care for a few hours or overnight, and you get a real break.
- Questions to ask a respite providerQuestions to ask an NDIS provider before in-home respite starts: registration, workers, training, overnight shifts, prices, travel and cancellations.
- Overnight respiteOvernight respite at home on the NDIS: what a sleepover shift is, when you need an active overnight worker instead, how each is charged, and how to set one up.
- Respite for parentsRespite for parents of a child with disability: what the NDIS funds at home, what it treats as normal parenting, the tests for children, how to ask.
- Finding a respite providerHow to find an NDIS respite provider who can send a support worker to your home: registration, worker screening, what to check, and how to compare a shortlist.
- How it worksHow we connect you with a respite provider, and what happens to your details.
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