Residential Respite Service

Description

Respite services, including residential (RRS) and day respite service (DRS), are community support services that aim to provide temporary care for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) (including persons with intellectual disability, physical disability, hearing impairment, visual impairment and persons in mental recovery), allowing their carers to take a break and relieve their caring stress, thereby encouraging and helping PWDs to live in the community.

Target Service Users

The target service users of respite service for PWDs are –

             (a)    PWDs aged 6 or above (some service units only admit PWDs aged 15 or above); and

             (b)    those who are willing and suitable for communal living.

• Applicants are not required to undergo assessment under the “Standardised Assessment Mechanism for Residential Services for People with Disabilities”, but the level of care required should be within the nature and scope of services provided by the respective type of service units.

Service Provision

Respite services may be used on a recurrent basis, with each service period normally not exceeding 14 consecutive days, so as to encourage more PWDs in need to use the services.  Depending on the applicant’s needs, the service unit may extend the service period to a maximum of 42 consecutive days.  If a service user requires a longer period of respite service under special circumstances, the service unit is required to consult the SWD.

Application Procedures

• PWDs and/or their carers may directly approach the relevant service units for enquiries and applications, or through referrals made by social workers of Medical Social Services Units, Integrated Family Service Centres, special schools, rehabilitation service units or Designated Hotline for Carer Support (Carer Hotline).
• Service users of RRS are required to undergo a medical examination conducted by a registered medical practitioner by using the “Medical Examination Form for Residents in Residential Care Homes for Persons with Disabilities” before admission.  In urgent or special circumstances that medical examinations cannot be conducted prior to admission, it may be conducted within three days after admission.
• PWDs and/or their carers in general may apply for six months before the actual service date.  Service units will register the cases and assess the needs of service users to facilitate early preparation.  To support PWDs and their carers with urgent needs, service units shall arrange immediate respite placements whenever vacancies are available.
• Click the link to “Vacancy Enquiry System for Respite Services / Emergency Placement”, for the vacancy information of Designated Residential Respite Places in Subvented Residential Care Homes for Persons with Disabilities and Bought Place Scheme for Residential Care Homes for Persons with Disabilities.  For any enquiry, please contact SWD Hotline at 2343 2255.

Fees and Charges

Service charges are calculated on a daily basis. The general fee charging rates of the service are:

Note 1: With the prior approval from the SWD, individual service units may charge higher rates under individual circumstances.

Information of the Service

Note 2: The Geoinfo map only displays service units that provide designated residential respite places.