The Defence Special Needs Support Group Circle of Friends Respite Program is a Host family/peer support program for Defence families who care for a child, younger person or an older person with a disability. Circle of Friends can also provide Flexi Respite Packages where required. The program is funded by the Department of Defence through the Defence Community Organisation and families must be a member of the DSNSG and be "Recognised as a Family with Special Needs" by DCO.

The aim of Circle of Friends is to:

• Provide regular opportunities for families to take time out from day to day care of the person with special needs.
• Increase opportunities for the person with special needs to extend social supports and friendships,
• and to participate in a variety of new situations and experiences.

Circle of Friends can provide either Host Family Respite or Flexi-Respite. The Host Family Program uses Defence personnel and/or their families as the volunteer Host Carer to provide care for someone with special needs. Respite is provided on a regular basis ie one day, one night or one weekend a month depending on the requirements of the special needs family. Volunteer Host Carers can be single or married and they may have a family. They are volunteering their time to assist their fellow Defence Force members because pulling together to help each other out and to do something worthwhile is what the ADF is all about - Defence families helping Defence families. All Host Carers undergo background and police checks prior to becoming involved in the program. There is no charge for DSNSG families involved in this program.

The Flexi-Respite Program provides up to 4 hours per week for a paid care worker for in-home or for recreational activites. There is a small cost per hour for families using this type of respite.

More Information

• Special Needs Booklet for families that are part of the Host Respite Program (Coming soon)
• Special Needs Booklet for families that are part of the Flexi Respite Program (Coming soon)
• Host Family Information Booklet (Coming soon)