Opening Presentation 1



Opening Presentation 2

NATIONAL RESPITE and SOCIAL SUPPORT CONFERENCE

Tweed Heads. July / August 2007.

I would like to thank every-body who attended and participated in this National Conference.

Interchange Respite Care NSW is the peak industry body in NSW for Respite Care & Social Support services. The last National Respite Conference was held in Darwin in 2004 and convened by the Aged & Community Services Association of Australia.

The theme of this year’s Conference was Re-Thinking & Re-Shaping the Future. We attempted to examine & question some of the directions our industry is heading in. As governments continue to increase expenditure on Respite Care & Social Support services, particularly through the HACC and NRCP programs, and in NSW more recently in Disability services through the Stronger Together program, are we making any impact on unmet need and are we really meeting the expressed needs of carers, families & clients?

Is it good enough doing what we are currently doing or do we need to challenge ourselves and the system to deliver fairer, more equitable, and more useful supports to our clientele.

Is our system really giving the quantum services that our clients need or are we still providing our type of service support within a rationing framework and mentality.

The feedback we have received from just near 100 evaluation responses was extremely positive. All bar 1 of the Plenary sessions rated on average in the 4 out 5 score for interest & relevance. All of the break-out workshops scored similarly. The venue and location were given much applause as was the structure & format of the program. A few people were disappointed with some aspects of the food, and that is fair enough.

We had to make 1 late change to the program which was beyond our control.

Phil Alexander , one of Australia’s leading Naturopath’s was unable to present at the conference and deliver his Key note address on ADHD & Dementia from a Naturopathic Perspective. We were hoping to take a fresh look at these 2 growing areas within our industry and amongst our clients at the causes, how we can mitigate these from a naturopathic perspective rather than a medical perspective and some of the impacts of the medications we use within our sector and society. But hopefully within a few months time, Phil will be in a position to publicly deliver this information and we can hopefully sponsor this dissemination.

However, in replacing this session, we were fortunate, and grateful, enough to secure the services of Felicity Maddison, President of the National Carers Coalition, who talked about the work of the National Carers Coalition, and Interchange Victoria who spoke on the publicity & promotional activities they have initiated to promote disability and respite awareness in Victoria, and the need for volunteer participation in the sector.

I trust that you find the accompanying session notes and copies of presentations useful and a reminder of what was discussed at the conference.

I certainly enjoyed the Conference myself and the positive feedback many people provided. I appreciate people’s support, participation, enthusiasm, and ability to have a drink which brought a great atmosphere to the event.

Kevin Marron
Executive Officer