Supporting carers of children and teenagers with disability

The Gillard Government is continuing to deliver support to carers of children and teenagers with disability through the popular MyTime and Outside School Hours Care for Teenagers programs.

The Government is providing $10.5 million to 2013 to continue support for 262 MyTime peer support groups across the country. Almost 4,000 parents and carers attended MyTime support groups in 2009-10.

The Government is also expanding the age group for MyTime support groups – parents and carers of children with disability up to 16 years old will now be able to attend the groups. Previously the MyTime program focused its support on families of children under six years of age.

Under the MyTime program parents can attend up to 26 fortnightly facilitated sessions a year, where they are able to take time out to talk to others about caring for a child with disability.

A play helper looks after the children while the parents and carers meet to share experiences and receive information about support services and coping strategies.

We are also providing $17 million over three years to continue funding for over 1,000 students aged 12 to 18 years old with disability to access outside school hours care for teenagers in 64 locations across Australia.

Outside school hours care, either before or after school or during school holidays, gives teenagers with disability the opportunity to participate in fun activities such as cooking classes, shopping trips, swimming, bowling and horse riding.

It also gives parents and carers a break from their caring responsibilities so they can participate in the workforce or in community activities.

Traditional before and after school care services generally cater for primary aged children, leaving parents and carers of teenagers with disability without appropriate care options.

We know that parents and carers of children and teenagers with disability experience stress and social isolation due to the intensity of their caring role. Carers may also struggle to balance their work and caring responsibilities.

It is essential that these families have access to specialist support in their local community.

The Gillard Government is committed to delivering a range of support to people with disability and their families.

For more information about the MyTime Peer Support program visit: www.mytime.net.au or call 1800 889 997.

For more information about the Outside School Hours Carer for Teenagers program visit: www.fahcsia.gov.au/sa/disability/funding/outsideschoolcare/Pages/default.aspx

Organisations receiving funding for Outside School Hours Care for Teenagers with Disability are listed in the table below: