In-Home Care
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What is In- Home care?
In Home Care is a service where children can be cared for in their own home under the auspice of a registered provider. By being listed with a registered service provider parents and Carers may qualify for Government funding known as Child Care Benefit. This funding is provided by the Federal Department of Families and Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. (1300 653 277)
To qualify for an In Home Carer families must meet one of the following criteria.
- Family lives in a rural or remote area 20KM from a child care service
- Parent/child/or siblings have regular illness or disability
- Family has multiple birth or multiple children under school age
- Parents work shift work or non standard hours and care cannot be accommodated in mainstream service
Goals and Philosophy
Our goal is to provide quality childcare that is safe and which also encourages activities and experiences that promote children’s physical, social, intellectual and emotional development and wellbeing. We aim to meet the needs of the community acknowledging the uniqueness of each family and the significance of its culture, customs, language and beliefs.
Parent Responsibility
Because In Home Care is offered in the child’s home it is necessary for any family wishing to utilise the service to work with the service and Carer to ensure that the best possible care is provided. This includes signing a service agreement with both the service and Carer.
A health and safety checklist is implemented to protect the children, families and Carers. We will complete this checklist before we can link you with a Carer. This includes general household safety and more specific item requirements such as a First Aid Kit and Evacuation Plan. An initial enrolment fee of $60 is required to register with our service when we have an appropriate Carer.
A Co-ordinator will regularly visit your home, to ensure the Carer is maintaining quality care. If at any time we feel that an item on the Home Safety Checklist needs attention we will notify you. It is an expectation that corrective action will occur within a reasonable time or care may not be able to be continued. The family is also required to hold domestic workers insurance cover.
If you allow a Carer to drive a family vehicle it must be fully registered, have an annual Safety Certificate, and have age appropriate Australian standard restraints for the children travelling in the vehicle. A copy of the Safety Certificate must be provided to the service Co-ordinator.
Please check with your insurance with regard to persons driving the vehicle.
If the Carers vehicle is to be used to transport the children the same conditions will apply.
Role of the Carer
In Home Carers are employed specifically for the care of children. They do not supply other services such as housework. However they will maintain basic needs of the children including preparation of meals and subsequent cleaning, bathing, changing of linen as required, and cleaning any areas used after children’s activities. In Home Carers are required to ensure that the care area is kept safe and hygienic, including putting dangerous items out of reach of children and reducing any tripping or choking hazards.
Carers are required to plan activities that provide stimulation to children physically, intellectually, socially, and emotionally. We select Carers based on their maturity and ability to develop warm and supportive relationships with children. We recommend that Carers keep an up to date planning sheets outlining the children’s day and the activities and experiences offered to the children. Our Carers are required to demonstrate a commitment to behaviour management techniques that are consistent and fair, using praise and positive reinforcement.
We do not condone any techniques that would be classed as physical, verbal or emotional abuse.
Carer Requirements
To be a registered Carer for this service you must have completed a successful interview, attend training, be in good health, be 18 years of age or older, hold a current senior first aid and CPR certificate, positive notice blue card and public liability insurance. Carers enrolled with our service are self-employed, with the unit acting as a referral, monitoring and support agent only.
To become enrolled with our service, a Carer must meet all aspects of the Kath Dickson Family Centre In Home Carer’s Selection Criteria. An enrolment checklist will measure this procedure.
To ensure we provide the highest quality care possible to families, registered In Home Carers must make a commitment to attend at least 2 workshops per year. Carers must also be open to working with the service on a regular basis, including regular visits, phone contact, support and monitoring by a Co-Ordinator.
In addition to the requirements already listed to be registered , a fee of $60 per carer per year is required at relicensing time.