The Future of Home & Community Care Services in Glenelg Shire

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Consultation has concluded

Following Council’s in-principle decision in October 2022, Glenelg Shire Council has confirmed its decision to withdraw from the delivery of home support and community-based services from July this year.

Councillors formalised the decision at Council Meeting 28 February 2023.


The formal decision by Council follows extensive consultation with staff, clients and the wider community over a 6-week period. Community listening and information sessions were held in Portland, Heywood, Dartmoor, Merino, Nelson & Casterton.

Home care and community services are entry-level funded services designed to support older people to live independently in the community.

Council has been involved in the delivery of these services for several decades, but Commonwealth is ending the current Commonwealth Home Support Program and implementing a completely new national model of integrated care for older Australians.

For further information please click on the link - Support at home program overview

Background

In response to these comprehensive Commonwealth aged care reforms, Council made an in-principle decision to withdraw from its role as a provider of funded in-home and community based support services for older residents as from 30 June 2023.

The Commonwealth has decided to deliver a consistent national aged care system and Council has formed the view that it is not able to remain as a provider under the new arrangements that commence in mid-2024, key factors include:

  • Council currently subsidises its services with ratepayer funds and if there are other providers able to deliver the service this is not necessary of allowable under government competition policy
  • The new model designed to deliver client choice and control, which will require greater flexibility and involve more complicated service types to support consumers controlling their own care.

Many Victorian councils involved in the delivery of CHSP have, over the past three years, decided to end involvement and not register to participate in the future Support at Home program.

Council will provide advice and assist the Commonwealth to find a suitable provider to deliver these important services, which include home care, personal care, social support, respite, property maintenance, home modifications, and food services, to the high standard expected by our community.

Council’s transition out of service delivery in 2023 will allow the Commonwealth to appoint a provider that will commence work on implementation of the new system and operate fully under the new conditions in 2024.

The Commonwealth is responsible for appointing a new provider and the ongoing management of the future provider, Council will remain involved for up to six months after the transition to ensure service standards are maintained.

There is no immediate change to services, and there will not be any changes until at least June or July 2023.

Community impacts

Council is committed to ensuring the interests of clients, families, carers, staff, and the community are understood and protected.

Services to the Glenelg community will continue to be funded to the same level and will be delivered under the same quality standards that apply to Council and all other providers.

The only change will be that Council will no longer be the provider of services and a new provider or providers will be appointed.

Specialised service providers may have different ways of supporting delivery, but these must be equal to or above current standards.

Continuity of service is an important principle in ensuring quality of care.

Clients and families were directly engaged, and special effort was made to ensure all clients have full information available to them. Vulnerable clients and those at risk of social isolation will be provided additional support during this period.

There is a high demand for staff with suitable aged care and disability qualifications and experience. Council’s highly skilled and experienced workforce is well placed to take on available employment opportunities.

Council is committed to meeting all industrial obligations and staff occupying impacted positions have protections and entitlements under its Enterprise Agreement.

Counselling, vocational advice, and transition support will be available to all affected staff. Internal redeployment opportunities will be explored where appropriate.

Affected employees that cannot be redeployed will be entitled to a retrenchment benefit.

It is anticipated that up to one-third of staff will likely choose to retire at the time of their departure from Council.

Clients and families are encouraged to contact the Aged & Disability Office with questions and concerns.

  • Shelley Bourke, Aged & Disability Services Manager on 03 5522 2331
  • Bryce Spencer, Community & Social Support Coordinator on 03 5522 2289 or
  • The Aged & Disability Office, Fawthrop Centre on 03 5522 2204.

Following Council’s in-principle decision in October 2022, Glenelg Shire Council has confirmed its decision to withdraw from the delivery of home support and community-based services from July this year.

Councillors formalised the decision at Council Meeting 28 February 2023.


The formal decision by Council follows extensive consultation with staff, clients and the wider community over a 6-week period. Community listening and information sessions were held in Portland, Heywood, Dartmoor, Merino, Nelson & Casterton.

Home care and community services are entry-level funded services designed to support older people to live independently in the community.

Council has been involved in the delivery of these services for several decades, but Commonwealth is ending the current Commonwealth Home Support Program and implementing a completely new national model of integrated care for older Australians.

For further information please click on the link - Support at home program overview

Background

In response to these comprehensive Commonwealth aged care reforms, Council made an in-principle decision to withdraw from its role as a provider of funded in-home and community based support services for older residents as from 30 June 2023.

The Commonwealth has decided to deliver a consistent national aged care system and Council has formed the view that it is not able to remain as a provider under the new arrangements that commence in mid-2024, key factors include:

  • Council currently subsidises its services with ratepayer funds and if there are other providers able to deliver the service this is not necessary of allowable under government competition policy
  • The new model designed to deliver client choice and control, which will require greater flexibility and involve more complicated service types to support consumers controlling their own care.

Many Victorian councils involved in the delivery of CHSP have, over the past three years, decided to end involvement and not register to participate in the future Support at Home program.

Council will provide advice and assist the Commonwealth to find a suitable provider to deliver these important services, which include home care, personal care, social support, respite, property maintenance, home modifications, and food services, to the high standard expected by our community.

Council’s transition out of service delivery in 2023 will allow the Commonwealth to appoint a provider that will commence work on implementation of the new system and operate fully under the new conditions in 2024.

The Commonwealth is responsible for appointing a new provider and the ongoing management of the future provider, Council will remain involved for up to six months after the transition to ensure service standards are maintained.

There is no immediate change to services, and there will not be any changes until at least June or July 2023.

Community impacts

Council is committed to ensuring the interests of clients, families, carers, staff, and the community are understood and protected.

Services to the Glenelg community will continue to be funded to the same level and will be delivered under the same quality standards that apply to Council and all other providers.

The only change will be that Council will no longer be the provider of services and a new provider or providers will be appointed.

Specialised service providers may have different ways of supporting delivery, but these must be equal to or above current standards.

Continuity of service is an important principle in ensuring quality of care.

Clients and families were directly engaged, and special effort was made to ensure all clients have full information available to them. Vulnerable clients and those at risk of social isolation will be provided additional support during this period.

There is a high demand for staff with suitable aged care and disability qualifications and experience. Council’s highly skilled and experienced workforce is well placed to take on available employment opportunities.

Council is committed to meeting all industrial obligations and staff occupying impacted positions have protections and entitlements under its Enterprise Agreement.

Counselling, vocational advice, and transition support will be available to all affected staff. Internal redeployment opportunities will be explored where appropriate.

Affected employees that cannot be redeployed will be entitled to a retrenchment benefit.

It is anticipated that up to one-third of staff will likely choose to retire at the time of their departure from Council.

Clients and families are encouraged to contact the Aged & Disability Office with questions and concerns.

  • Shelley Bourke, Aged & Disability Services Manager on 03 5522 2331
  • Bryce Spencer, Community & Social Support Coordinator on 03 5522 2289 or
  • The Aged & Disability Office, Fawthrop Centre on 03 5522 2204.