Spectrum Care’s Child, Youth and Respite team provides services in the greater Auckland area for babies, children and young people with a disability (and their families).

The team aims to promote valued experiences in a safe environment that allows for the development of individual autonomy.

The goal is to identify the needs of each child or young person and aid them in developing life skills that will strengthen their overall competence and confidence.

Child, Youth and Respite Services includes residential support, structured respite for children and young people, and structured respite for babies and young children at Orakau House.

residential support

Spectrum Care offers 24-hour residential support for children and young people in houses located in the Auckland area.

The child or young person attends school or other day programmes and is encouraged to be involved in sports, social and cultural activities.

Each service user has an individual plan that focuses on helping them to learn and develop as many life skills as they are able.

Regular ongoing contact with family, whanau and friends is encouraged, as is inclusion and involvement in the community.

structured respite at orakau house

Structured respite care and support for families of children who have a disability, are medically fragile or technology dependent and aged under five is provided at Orakau House, which is located opposite Middlemore Hospital in Auckland.

Respite care is provided on a rostered basis and the service is aimed at families that need ‘time out’ from caring for their child, or need training and support during or following the transition from hospital to home.

Orakau House is staffed by registered nurses and trained carers on a 24-hour basis. The facility is designed to accommodate children who have medical needs, while at the same time providing a ‘home away from home’ atmosphere.

The team at Orakau House works closely with other health professionals to ensure consistency of care and to develop home-care plans for parents and caregivers.

The team also provides training and support for families to enable them to manage their child’s specific medical needs at home (eg oxygen). As nutrition and feeding is often an issue, assistance and advice is given in this area.

The staff at Orakau House also endeavour to put families and caregivers in touch with each other to assist in the development of support networks.

structured respite

Spectrum Care offers respite care in houses for children and young people between five and 16 years of age who have a disability and/or challenging behaviour.

This care is rostered and the focus is on providing a 'home away from home’ for the individual and ‘time out’ for the family/whanau.

behaviour support services

Child, Youth and Respite Services offers an integrated approach to supporting people and, where required, Spectrum Care’s Behaviour Support team works closely with the service by providing assistance with:

• Disability
• Autistic disorders
• Sexuality
• Anger management
• Challenging behaviour
• Lifestyle development
• Daily living skills
• Risk management
• Mental health

how can I access child, youth and respite services?

Access to Child, Youth and Respite Services is via a referral from the Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC) agency, Taikura Trust (phone 0800 835 4672). Occasionally, access is arranged through the government agency Child, Youth and Family, or via the ACC.

how can I find out more?

For more information on Spectrum Care’s Child, Youth and Respite Services, contact the Manager – CYR Services on 09 634 9784.