Disability support — Nelson Marlborough
Our mission is to support people to live their best possible life. Disability support services has a person-centred approach to the people we support. Our mission is to support people in the Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Nelson Marlborough region to live their best possible life.
On this page
Contact us
Nelson Hospital
Private Bag 18
Nelson 7010
Phone: 03 546 1671
Services we provide
- We support people to meet their needs and aspirations, and to be involved with the community.
- We encourage choice and the people we support are invited to create a lifestyle plan.
- We also provide respite care and support for carers.
This service supports people with a physical disability or a brain injury. These people may have cognitive, physical, emotional or behavioural changes that can be temporary or permanent.
We offer:
- rehabilitation for people returning to their community after a brain injury
- long-term 24-hour residential support (in five homes in Nelson and Blenheim) that encourages independence
respite care and support for carers.
Day services provide a wide range of day activities for people with disabilities. People from disability support services, IDEA Services, NZCL and schools are welcome to attend.
The people who attend are invited to choose their own activities in their community, including:
- music and dance
- cooking
- personal grooming
- kaupapa Māori
- sensory integration
- hydrotherapy
- computer skills
- alternative communication
- vocational service (income-generating activities).
Parents and caregivers of tamariki and rangatahi with disabilities give a lot to meet their needs.
Residential respite provides an opportunity for primary caregivers to take a break or spend time with other siblings or whānau.
Who respite is for
We provide respite to tamariki and rangatahi up to 21 years old with disabilities. This is funded through the needs assessment service.
However, we know that age 21 to 25 is a time of huge changes and transitions. So, in negotiation with you and the needs assessment service, we can continue to provide respite up to the age of 25.
As we build capacity we plan to offer more options, from planned to crisis respite. We may also consider afternoon or day respite on a case by case basis, such as if you have trouble finding a babysitter.
Our responsibility
- To keep your child safe while in our respite care.
- To ensure a great transition.
- To communicate any concerns, incidents or issues in a timely manner, so you are fully informed.
- To provide you with a respite agreement, so you know exactly what we need.
Your responsibility
- To give us all the information we need to keep your loved one safe.
- To work with us on a transition plan and ongoing support plan.
- To let us know if things are not going the way you expected, so we can work through it together.
- To sign the respite agreement, so we know exactly what you need.
What your child will experience
- A 'home away from home' environment. We aim to make our respite homes small, cosy and family-friendly.
- Fun.
- Consistency and routine according to their needs.
- Opportunities to go on outings and develop new social skills.
- Chances to make new friends and have a sleepover experience they may not have had before.
Referral information
All referrals to respite come through the needs assessment service.
Needs assessment service (internal link)
Contact us
If you would like to have a look through our home and talk to us about respite possibilities, contact:
Disability Support Respite Services
134 Kawai Street
Nelson 7010
Phone: 03 546 1671
Email: DSSAdmin@nmdhb.govt.nz
Support can be provided for people who are under 65 years old with either:
- an intellectual, physical or sensory disability that is likely to last longer than 6 months
- autism spectrum disorder.
Tamariki receive support for their disability only. This means we do not provide support that parents and guardians of tamariki without a disability would typically provide.
Available services and funding
Essential housework
This support makes sure your home environment will not harm your health.
Essential housework tasks include:
- cleaning bathrooms (if not already completed as part of the personal care support)
- changing bed linen
- cleaning kitchen surfaces and floors
- vacuuming the main living areas.
Housework does not generally include dusting, cleaning windows or any maintenance of the outside of your house.
To be eligible for housework services, you must have a current Community Services Card.
Community Services Card — Work and Income | Te Hiranga Tangata (external link)
If you do not have a Community Services Card, and housework support is your only need, you may have to pay for this service.
If you have someone living with you who may be able to help, you are not eligible for this support.
Personal care support
If you receive help to have a shower, your helper should also clean the shower afterwards.
Your individual situation determines how often you receive this type of support.
Respite care
Respite care is available for people who are cared for in their home by someone who lives with them.
If you are a caregiver and need a break, have to go into hospital or become unwell, we can organise respite care for the person you care for.
For more information about respite services contact the needs assessment service.
Needs assessment service (internal link)
Carer support
Carer support is another way we can give you a rest from caring for someone.
It is different from respite, where the person you care for stays somewhere else for a short time.
Instead, someone will come to your house while you are away. They can claim reimbursement but are not considered to be a paid carer.
Carer support subsidy — Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora (external link)
For more information on any of the above services, contact the needs assessment service.
Needs assessment service (internal link)
Contract board
Contract board is an arrangement where a person can board with another person in their home but receive more oversight and support than a usual private boarding situation.
Contact the needs assessment service for more information.
Needs assessment service (internal link)
Supported living
Supported living services help people to learn essential life skills if they want to leave home or be active in their community.
Residential care
Residential care is available for people who are unable to live independently. People usually live in suburban houses, just like any other house in the street, but with staff on hand to ensure the person is safe and supported.
If more appropriate to their needs, people may live in a larger residential facility.
Behaviour support services
Support is available for people, and families of people, whose behaviour is causing difficulties.
Specialists work with the person and their whānau to help manage challenging behaviour.
Individualised funding
Individualised funding enables you to employ your chosen support and respite care providers. A 'host' agency helps with any legal issues.
Funded family care
If you provide personal care or household management for your adult child with disabilities, you can now be paid for that care in the same way an agency would be paid if they were providing the support.
We support approximately 200 people in more than 50 suburban homes across the Nelson, Marlborough and Tasman regions.
Homes range from single-bedroom flats to 6-bedroom homes. They are owned by Kāinga Ora, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora or by private landlords.
How to access our services
The first step is to make an appointment with our needs assessment service. Our staff assess people and coordinate the appropriate services for their needs.