Welcome
Welcome to this web site for families and carers supporting a person with an intellectual disability.
RescareNZ is dedicated to bringing information and support to those caring or advocating for people with an intellectual disability.
We remain a totally independent voice for those who want the best for their family member.
What is Rescare New Zealand Incorporated?
RescareNZ grew from a group founded to ensure that deinstitutionalisation of psychopaedic hospitals did not disadvantage the residents living in them. Their strong lobbying succeeded in gaining excellent conditions for most residents over a range of residential options.
As more residents moved into community care options it became clear that they and their relatives would need a strong independent voice to ensure the gains were not lost.
It also became evident that people living in the community found it hard to get the kind of support former residents now have. RescareNZ decided to turn its attention to acting as a support group for all families supporting a person with an intellectual disability.
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Who can belong to RescareNZ
Relatives, supporters and Welfare Guardians of people with an intellectual disability living
- at home.
- in a hospital.
- in a hostel.
- in a flat.
- in any other community setting.
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What can we offer YOU?
- Information on Intellectual Disabilities
- Ideas for Help and Support
- Personal Advocacy for You or Your Relative
- Newsletters
- Advice on Welfare Guardianship
- Links with Others in Your Area
What we don't do is -
- Run daycare programmes or schools.
- Provide residential placements.
- Steer you towards a particular provider of services.
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What we will do for you is -
- Share what we know about a provider from personal experience.
- Put you in touch with people who might help you access services.
- Give you ideas on ways of exercising your right to access services.
- Put you in touch with empathetic politicians who understand the problems of parents with children with an intellectual disability.
- Put you in touch with professionals with specialist knowledge about you child’s or sibling’s condition.
- Write letters on your behalf (with your written permission).
- Give you step-by-step processes to help you regain control of your life and meet the needs of your child.
- Provide a listening ear.
- Give you a checklist to follow when choosing residential care or day care placements for your child.
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Who can use RescareNZ?
The services of RescareNZ are free to members or those belonging to a Rescare Support Group. Individuals can join as members for $NZ20 a year. For this you will receive regular newsletters and updates of information.
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Finding other families
If you wish to make contact with other parents or relatives, Rescare can put you in touch with other members in your area. You can also apply for a Parent Pack that gives you step-by-step instructions for starting a support group in your area and a complete set of information leaflets to share with others. This pack is only available to members.
Needs Assessment
Needs Assessment services are the first step in establishing your RIGHT to the services any person with an intellectual disability should be able to access. Needs Assessment coordinators can also discuss with you the services available in your locality so you can begin planning a stable future for your relative with an intellectual disability.
REMEMBER: We're only a phone call away
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