NDIS Short Term Respite for Children & Young People

School Holiday & Weekend Respite

Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains and Lithgow

Connect & Explore provides personalised NDIS Short Term Respite (STR) for children and young people, with school holiday and weekend respite available for families. Our respite experiences are designed around each young person's individual interests, strengths, support needs and goals. With a focus on connection, exploration and meaningful experiences, we create opportunities for children and teens to build confidence, independence, social connections and everyday skills — while having fun and enjoying time away from their usual routine.

NDIS Respite for Children & Teenagers

Connect & Explore offers

  1. Weekend Respite

  2. School Holiday Respite

Small Groups & Personalised Support

We believe smaller groups can create more opportunities for genuine connection and individualised support. We pair young people together so they have the opportunity to make a friendship in a relaxed environment. We consider factors such as age, interests, support needs and compatibility when bringing participants together. For participants who would benefit from individual support, 1:1 respite options are also available.

Building Skills Through Real Experiences

Everyday experiences can provide natural opportunities to learn and grow. Depending on the participant's individual goals, respite may provide opportunities to develop:

Confidence
Trying new experiences and recognising what they are capable of.

Independence
Making choices, participating in daily routines and developing practical everyday skills.

Social Connection
Spending meaningful time with others and developing friendships through shared interests and experiences.

Emotional Regulation & Resilience
Experiencing different environments, challenges and activities with appropriate support.

Community Participation
Getting out into the community, exploring new places and participating in meaningful activities.

Choice, Control & Person Centred Support
Giving children and young people opportunities to have input into their respite experience.

We recognise that every person communicates, participates and experiences the world differently. Supports are provided in a way that respects each participant's rights, privacy, dignity, preferences and individual decision-making.

We encourage participants to be actively involved in choosing activities and shaping their experience wherever possible.

Respite Built Around Their Interests

Activities are selected in consultation with the participant and, where appropriate, their support network. Programs are tailored according to individual interests, abilities, support needs and goals.

  • Experiences may include outdoor recreation, fishing, bushwalking, rock climbing, canoeing, creative activities, cooking, community access, life skills, mindfulness and exploring new places.

  • Participation in activities is based on individual suitability, choice, environmental conditions and appropriate risk assessment.

We use their interests as a starting point to create a respite experience that feels meaningful and engaging.

Activities are selected according to participants' interests, abilities, support needs and individual goals:

  • Nature walks and exploring new places - eg: beach, bush, lakes, waterfalls, swimming holes

  • Fishing

  • Camping and outdoor experiences - eg: learning how to make a fire and build a shelter

  • Cooking and meal preparation

  • Canoeing or stand-up paddleboarding

  • Rock climbing and abseiling

  • Creative activities - wood work, jewelry making, crafts, painting

  • Visiting local attractions and communities eg: op shopping, scenic train rides

  • Animal spotting

  • Treasure hunts

  • Parks and play grounds

  • Building everyday living skills - eg: self care, mindfulness, cooking, preparing self for the day (packing day bag, lunch, snacks, clothing)

  • Activities based around your own interests.

Accommodation

Depending on the program, accommodation may include cabins, glamping and other suitable accommodation selected for the needs of the participants attending. We want the accommodation to be part of the experience — somewhere participants can feel comfortable, relax and enjoy their time away.

Supporting Families & Carers

Short Term Respite can also provide parents and carers with a break from their usual caring responsibilities, knowing their child or young person is participating in a planned and supported experience. We take the time to understand the participant before their stay, including their routines, interests, communication, support needs and relevant goals.

Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains and Lithgow

Connect & Explore welcomes enquiries from families and NDIS participants living throughout the below locations:

  • Blue Mountains: Glenbrook, Blaxland, Springwood, Lawson, Wentworth Falls, Leura, Katoomba, Blackheath, Mount Victoria and surrounding areas.

  • Greater Sydney: Western Sydney, Northern Beaches, Sydney CBD, South Sydney and surrounding areas.

  • Lithgow & Central West: Lithgow, Bathurst and surrounding areas.

Transport and pickup arrangements may be available depending on the participant, program and location. Contact us to discuss your location and upcoming respite availability.

NDIS Referrals & Funding

Referral & Intake Process

1. Initial enquiry
Contact us to discuss the participant's needs, interests, goals and the type of respite being sought.

2. Initial consultation
We arrange a phone or video consultation with the participant, parent/carer or Support Coordinator to discuss suitability and answer questions.

3. Meet & greet
Where appropriate, we meet the participant before their first respite experience.

4. Participant information & support planning
Relevant participant information, support requirements, risks, preferences, consent and emergency information are gathered before supports commence.

5. Service agreement & booking
Supports, costs, responsibilities and agreed arrangements are documented prior to service delivery.

6. Your respite experience
The program is planned around the participant's individual needs, interests, preferences and goals.

*NDIS funding may be available for eligible participants where Short Term Respite is appropriate to their individual plan, goals and funding.

We welcome enquiries and referrals from:

  • Parents and carers, NDIS participants, Support Coordinators, Plan Managers, Allied health professionals, Other professionals supporting the participant

Safety & Individual Support

  • Participant safety and wellbeing are central to the planning and delivery of our supports.

  • Prior to respite, relevant information is gathered to understand the participant's individual support needs, communication preferences, health considerations, routines, risks and emergency requirements.

  • Activities and environments are considered according to the participant's individual needs and abilities, with appropriate risk management and safety planning undertaken.

  • Connect & Explore maintains policies and procedures relating to participant safety, incident management, emergency management, complaints, infection prevention, medication management and other relevant areas of service delivery

Find Out If Connect & Explore Is the Right Fit

Finding the right respite provider is about more than finding an available date.

We want to understand who your child is, what they enjoy, what support they need and what you would like them to gain from their experience.

Contact Connect & Explore to discuss upcoming school holiday and weekend Short Term Respite, availability and whether our approach is the right fit for your child or young person.

Phone: 0429 146 117
Email:connectandexplore@hotmail.com

NDIS Price Guide

“Your heart knows the way. Run in that direction”

- Rumi