Children's Services

Children's Services

To be eligible for these services children must be 0 – 18 years of age and living at home in the outer eastern regions of Knox, Maroondah and Yarra Ranges (unless otherwise specified)

Volunteer Host Program

The program matches a child with a disability to a volunteer host, who shares their home with the child on a regular basis. Compatibility is the key to the success of this program. Common interests, lifestyle and preferences are all considered. Matches can take many forms, from a buddy or mentor for a teenager to a ‘second family’ for a young child .... Initially the prospective host, the family and child all meet, so everyone gets to know a little about each other. All parties must give approval for the match to proceed.

Hosts can be volunteers from the local community or they may be from the family’s own circle of acquaintances. Adult singles, couples, families - all can contribute in their unique way to the program. Hosting arrangements are flexible and are tailored to meet the needs of the child, family and host. However, Interchange Outer East encourages a weekend a month hosting arrangement to allow maximum benefit from the respite and for the development of the child/host relationship.

With hosting, parents can be reassured that their child is being supported in a loving and caring family or friendship situation. Police, medical and reference checks are done on all prospective hosts.

Recreation Programs

All of Interchange Outer East’s recreation programs are fun, age appropriate and make the most of community settings and events. Each program offers children the opportunity to participate in a wide range of camp and activity experiences in a supportive and encouraging environment.

Interchange involves volunteers in the running of all recreation programs, often on a 1:1 basis. Young, fun and enthusiastic, the volunteers encourage children to participate, make friends, have fun and make the most of the recreational experience.

With the large number of children wishing to take part in activities, waiting lists apply for all recreation programs.

School Holiday Programs

Interchange runs a full program of camps and activities during school holiday periods. As well as our general holiday program, we also offer some specialised camps to children with specific needs.

Holiday camps are based at accredited campsites, are usually 3 or 5 days duration and offer lots of on and off-site activities. School holiday activity days are a full day of fun, out and about in the community – playgrounds, movies, swimming, zoo etc.

Children's Recreation Program

Children’s Rec is designed as a ‘first’ Interchange recreation experience for young children, aged 4 - 10. A friendly, supportive and small group environment enables the children to feel at ease and encourages friendships and enjoyable participation in activities and camps.

Outreach

Outreach assists children with disabilities, aged 5 – 12 years living in the Shire of Yarra Ranges and City of Maroondah, to access local community social and recreational programs including school holiday activities. A support worker, provided by Interchange Outer East, assists with program access.

10 – 13 Recreation

A recreation program for the pre teen age group which consists of weekend day activities and camps during school term. 10 – 13 Rec is about having fun with others of the same age.

Youth Groups

A supportive recreational environment encourages teenagers, aged 14 - 18 years, to take part in typical teenage leisure activities, develop social skills and increase their independence levels. The program offers Saturday activities plus weekend camps during school terms.

Purchased Respite – Specialised Care and Flexible Care