It’s the kind of thing you never expect to need — until you're suddenly in it. I remember one night, a few years back, when my youngest had a seizure while my partner was stuck interstate. I had no one around, the older one was freaking out, and I just... froze. That’s when I first heard about emergency respite care for children. I had no clue stuff like that was even out there, let alone how to find it when everything was falling apart. Honestly, it felt like I should’ve had it all figured out, but I was barely keeping my head above water. And talking to other parents since, it turns out I’m not the only one — most of us are just trying to stay afloat when crisis hits.

Understanding what emergency respite means

Emergency respite is basically short-term care that kicks in during a crisis. It’s different from the regular kind of respite you might schedule for a weekend off. This is for when something unexpected happens — an accident, a health scare, a family breakdown — and you literally can't care for your child in that moment.

The idea is simple: keep your child safe and supported, while giving you the space to sort out whatever emergency you're dealing with. Services vary, but some might send trained carers to your home. Others offer placements in short-term care facilities or respite homes.

How do you know it’s time to ask for help?

There’s no neat checklist, but most families know when they're nearing breaking point. Some red flags?

  • You’re in the hospital or too unwell to supervise your child safely
  • Mental burnout has crept in, and you’re struggling to function
  • The situation at home becomes unsafe for you or the child
  • Your regular support has fallen through
  • Behaviour escalates, and you feel like you're one step from crisis

I spoke to a mum recently who had a fall and broke her ankle. Her son is non-verbal and needs round-the-clock care. She rang three places in tears, not knowing what to even ask for. Luckily, one of the local providers sorted urgent care that same evening. It honestly saved her.

Government support and eligibility explained

This bit gets a little murky. If your child has an NDIS plan, there's a good chance respite is already funded under Core Supports — especially if behavioural or physical needs are part of the picture. If you’re not linked in with NDIS, there are still options. Some state-funded programs or community organisations can step in — though it’s often case-by-case.

The NSW government has solid info on what is respite care, especially around case planning when things go pear-shaped. Not everyone qualifies, and not every provider has space on short notice, but knowing what’s out there makes a huge difference when you’re scrambling.

What emergency care might look like in practice

What actually happens when you request emergency respite? It depends.

If your child is safer staying home, they might send a trained carer in. In other cases, they could offer a short-term placement in a facility or a family-style home. The goal is stability — keeping routines where possible, minimising stress, and giving both of you breathing space.

One family I know had to act fast when their daughter’s anxiety flared up during a lockdown. Things got intense at home — shouting, self-harm, school refusal. The parents were beyond exhausted. They contacted their support coordinator, and by the next day, their daughter was in a therapeutic respite setting for three nights. It wasn’t a magic fix, but it gave everyone a chance to pause and regroup.

Planning ahead: what to ask and prepare

We can’t always predict emergencies, but there are things you can do now that’ll make things easier later:

  • Write a short care plan — meds, triggers, favourite foods, stuff like that
  • Talk to local services before you need them — even just to ask what they offer
  • Ask about their out-of-hours process and what counts as “urgent”
  • If your kid’s old enough, chat with them about what would make them feel safe

Even skimming the respite care guidelines can help you understand how care is delivered, what carers are trained to do, and what sort of environment they try to provide.

Long-term impact and emotional considerations

Now here’s the bit no one warns you about — the guilt. The second-guessing. The “should I have just pushed through?” thoughts. Asking for emergency care can feel like failure. But it’s not. It's actually the opposite. It's knowing your limits and putting your child’s safety first.

I’ve found that hearing from other parents helps heaps. The ones who’ve been there, made the call, and came out stronger. Many of them share their stories of children respite care, and how those small windows of help kept their families from falling apart.

There’s nothing selfish about needing help. In fact, there’s a quiet kind of courage in it.

Final thoughts: It’s okay to ask for help

You can’t plan for everything, but you can be better prepared than you think. Knowing that emergency respite exists and knowing who to call makes all the difference when things unravel.

If your gut is telling you it’s too much, that’s your sign. You’re not failing. You’re protecting your kid by protecting yourself, too.

There’s a lot of strength in being honest about what you can and can’t manage. It’s not weak to say, “I need support.” That moment of honesty can change everything.

And you don’t have to do it alone.