2024-highlights

2024 Highlights

This year, we’ve handed the mic to members of our team to share their individual highlights &#8211; the highs, the challenges, and ultimately, what drives us all to come to work each day.
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News

Carer Solutions Events

Expos

Updates

sick-of-it-podcast

Sick-of-it-podcast

Our Founder and CEO, Jane Morrell, recently featured on the Sick Of It podcast to explore the current opportunities and challenges facing the NDIS.
In this episode, Jane discusses:
<ul>
<li>The impact of change fatigue on providers and participants</li>
<li>Pricing concerns</li>
<li>Risk-proportionate registration</li>
<li>The alarming prediction that nearly 75% of providers are considering closing their doors</li>
</ul>
Jane also emphasises the urgent need for collaboration between government and industry to ensure the long-term sustainability of the NDIS.
You can <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/0aLztcT8SUbxWrfmmxx6k3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">listen to the full episode</a>.

national-disability-awards-winner

National-Disability-Awards-winner

On Monday, 8th December, we attended the National Disability Awards at the Adelaide Exhibition Centre and were absolutely thrilled to win the Excellence in Regional and Remote Services – Organisation award!
This award recognises an organisation that has made a significant contribution to providing quality services, supports, and opportunities to people with disabilities living in rural and remote regions of Australia.
A massive thank you to our incredible team for all your hard work, to our Partners, and to all the organisations we’ve had the pleasure of working with over the past 13 years. A special shoutout goes to Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation for our collaboration in East Arnhem, which featured prominently in our award submission.
Carer Solutions was founded to provide solutions for families struggling to find the right Support Workers. With the current workforce shortage, these challenges remain very real, and it’s critical that the 31% of NDIS participants living outside major cities aren’t left behind.
We’d like to acknowledge our fellow finalists, including Guide Dogs Australia, My Pathway Disability Supports, and Catholic Care NT, for the incredible work they do.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2655" src="https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2024/12/Image-15-e1734498663238.jpeg" alt="" width="800" height="1067" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2654" src="https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2024/12/Image-14-e1734498580238.jpeg" alt="" width="800" height="1067" />

registration-update

Registration update

Last month, NDIS Minister Bill Shorten announced that NDIS registration with the Quality and Safeguards Commission will soon be mandatory for Platform providers, Supported Independent Living (SIL) providers, and Support Coordinators.
Since the announcement, we’ve received questions about what this means for our Direct Employ service. Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions.
<h2>What does it mean to be NDIS registered?</h2>
Currently, to be registered with the NDIS, a provider must meet certain requirements set out by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
These typically include providers who offer complex supports or work with Participants who have regulated restrictive practices, such as Traditional agencies.
These providers are directly responsible for meeting set requirements, which include:
<ul>
<li>Monitoring incidents that occur during a support shift</li>
<li>Completing audits with the NDIS</li>
<li>Ensuring all Support Workers comply with the NDIS Code of Conduct</li>
</ul>
<h2>Is Carer Solutions a registered provider?</h2>
At Carer Solutions, we offer two services. Our Plan Management service is registered, whereas our Direct Employ service is not.
<h2>Do these changes affect using your Direct Employ service?</h2>
No, this announcement will not impact your experience or ability to continue utilising our Direct Employ service, as we are not a Platform provider, Supported Independent Living (SIL) provider, or Support Coordinator.
<h2>What is a Platform provider?</h2>
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission defines a Platform provider as: ‘A fee-based app or website a NDIS Participant may use to connect with workers to deliver their NDIS services and supports.’
<h2>What does this news mean for the future of Direct Employ?</h2>
The Government will soon begin consultations to implement broader changes to registration, as recommended by the NDIS Review and Taskforce.
We welcome these changes and are optimistic that they will include us. Our goal has always been to have our Direct Employ service registered; unfortunately, the current registration framework does not fully recognise the unique nature of what we offer (as a category in its own right). After all, we are still the only Direct Employ service in Australia!
We will keep you updated as things progress, but for now, it’s business as usual.
If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to <a href="tel:1300729839">give us a call on 1300 729 839</a>.
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jim-chalmers

Jim chalmers

When the Australian government pioneered the NDIS in 2013, it paved the way for the greatest nation-building scheme of a lifetime. A decade on and the NDIS is at the mercy of politicians who are too busy weighing up the economic value of the scheme rather than the human value of the 650,000 people who rely on it.
At what point in the past 11 years did we start to measure the worth of people by their financial return on investment?
People living with disability should never be made to justify the support they require to be included in everyday life. Rather than using the NDIS as a political football, it’s time we recognise that its value isn’t determined by its contribution to Australia’s productivity or economic targets.
The NDIS is inherently valuable because the people who depend on it make it so.
Far too often, the idea of ‘benefiting’ in the context of social services attracts cynicism, but the NDIS was not created to weigh up the economic value of its participants. The NDIS exists to safeguard and support people living with disabilities. Determining the scheme’s worth by its economic contributions says more about who we are as a society than it does anything else.
That’s not to say that we shouldn’t strive for an efficient and resourceful NDIS. I welcome the government taking a firm stance on issues like fraud, negligence, or misconduct that take advantage of the scheme and its participants. I also welcome innovation that not only improves the lives of participants and their families but also improves the scheme’s efficiency and resourcefulness.
What the government needs to understand is that investing in people first and foremost will always be a better path to achieving these goals.
The nationwide Support Worker shortage is the most pressing example. The disability sector is currently grappling with a severe shortage of around 128,000 workers, with recent reports showing that an additional three-quarters of NDIS providers are considering shutting their doors due to the financial strain of the NDIA’s continued price freezes.
As these shortages continue to impact the lives of participants and their families, the government continues to question the value of investing in the sector’s workforce, and others question if the care economy will boost productivity. By counting pennies before people, they are preventing the NDIS from becoming the crown jewel it could be.
I have witnessed first hand how innovation thrives when people are put at the heart of the care economy. Our organisational model, known as “direct employ”, is the only service in Australia that enables participants to employ people that they already know and trust as their support workers. In doing so, we’re helping to address the support worker shortage. This is just one example of how a people-first approach can generate innovative, sustainable solutions for the benefit of participants and the scheme itself.
The NDIS is something that Australia should be proud of. It should be a testament to what can be achieved when we put people first and prioritise the creation of a more inclusive and safer community for all. Unfortunately, the government’s support does not always represent this, and it will continue to fall short so long as we put dollars first and people second.
It’s time we stop looking for economic justification to care for people and instead choose to do so simply because we care.
Every person has value. That should be motivation enough.

toowoomba-trish

Toowoomba-Trish

Here’s are some of the highlights:
<h2>Toowoomba</h2>
In a world increasingly dominated by automation, we pride ourselves on our human first approach and going the extra mile &#8211; literally. Chloe, who is our Queensland Partnership Manager, made the trip to Toowoomba to sign up Trish and onboard her three Support Workers.
Their morning together was a blend of coffee, cake, and conversations about Trish’s journey living with Cerebral Palsy.
<figure id="attachment_2486" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2486" style="width: 800px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-2486 size-full" src="https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2024/08/Toowoomba-Trish-e1724823734607.jpeg" alt="Chloe and Trish" width="800" height="1422" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-2486" class="wp-caption-text">Chloe and Trish</figcaption></figure>
Trish is thrilled to step into the role of ‘the boss,’ as she affectionately puts it. With her newfound ability to ensure her team are well-supported, Trish is now set-up and ready to take the reins.
<h2>Tasmania</h2>
Tasmania has been our main destination over the past few weeks, where the team visited Launceston, Hobart and Huon Valley. It was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with our Partners and strengthen our relationships with Industry friends. We had the pleasure of meeting with <a href="https://www.hrplustas.com.au/">HR+</a> and <a href="https://maxima.com.au/">Maxima,</a> who kindly hosted us for an informative session with their community.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-2483 size-full aligncenter" src="https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2024/08/Maxima-e1724823711943.jpeg" alt="" width="800" height="490" />
A special highlight was Jane’s meeting with Brian Mitchell MP, the local member for Lyons. We discussed the crucial role Carer Solutions plays in regional areas, and Brian’s strong regional focus resonated with our mission. Brian has agreed to help us advocate on key issues.
<figure id="attachment_2482" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2482" style="width: 798px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-2482 size-full" src="https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2024/08/Brian-Mitchell-MP-Jane-scaled-e1724823618193.jpg" alt="" width="798" height="778" srcset="https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2024/08/Brian-Mitchell-MP-Jane-scaled-e1724823618193.jpg 798w, https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2024/08/Brian-Mitchell-MP-Jane-scaled-e1724823618193-600x585.jpg 600w, https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2024/08/Brian-Mitchell-MP-Jane-scaled-e1724823618193-768x749.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 798px) 100vw, 798px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-2482" class="wp-caption-text">Jane with Brian Mitchell MP.</figcaption></figure>
Finally, we had a productive discussion with the City of Hobart about some exciting opportunities on the horizon. Stay tuned for more on that!
<h2>Bendigo</h2>
As the home to many of our Partners, Bendigo remains close to our hearts. This month, we immersed ourselves in the local community, including attendance at the One Community Ready-Set-Connect kids events.
Bendigo friends, we’d love to hear from you &#8211; let us know if you fancy a cuppa and a chat. We&#8217;re always looking for an excuse to visit!
<figure id="attachment_2481" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2481" style="width: 800px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-2481 size-full" src="https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2024/08/Bendigo-sign-scaled-e1724823689994.jpeg" alt="" width="800" height="600" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-2481" class="wp-caption-text">Tilly and Tyrian in Bendigo (obviously).</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Celebrating Source Kids: A Decade of Dedication</h2>
In July, we also had the honour of celebrating a major milestone with our wonderful friends at Source Kids. Led by the inspiring Emma Price, Source Kids marked their 10th birthday in a room brimming with love, admiration, and respect.
Our founder, Jane, penned a heartfelt piece reflecting on our decade-long relationship. You can read Jane’s tribute here &#8211; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/when-you-fight-good-decade-jane-morrell-8w93c/?trackingId=6zJV2lZP14ByNcvEMocIGQ%3D%3D">You can read Jane’s tribute here.</a>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-2485 size-full aligncenter" src="https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2024/08/Source-kids-e1724823794523.png" alt="" width="801" height="419" />

Jane is wearing a white shirt and teal pants, she is standing on a balcony with the city behind her. She is smiling at the camera

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News & Events 1080 x 720 - 3 (5)

By Jane Morrell Published in the Sunday Telegraph | MAY 19, 2024
As someone who works in the disability services sector, it’s heartbreaking to witness people’s lives being thrown around like a political football as the debate about how to adequately fund the NDIS drags on. 
Schemes like the NDIS exist to give all Australians the opportunity for a good quality of life, regardless of their mental or physical abilities and circumstances. This is what it means to be Australian and, for many of us, is what makes us so proud to live in this country.
The problem is that the wheels of the NDIS have not been able to keep up with the growing demand for its services.
When the NDIS was introduced in 2013, it was originally designed to support one in 50 Australians, according to NDIS Review Chair Bruce Bonyhady. Now, one in five Australians are living with a disability.
As the NDIS attempts to support more and more people, the demand for skilled and qualified support workers is vastly outstripping supply. The problem is so acute that there is expected to be a shortage of almost 150,000 support workers by 2050.
The scheme cannot do what it is designed to do without adequate support workers. There is widespread concern in the sector that reform is moving faster than the workforce can be ready &#8211; if we want to avoid seeing people fall through the cracks or lose choice and control. It’s hardly surprising that the needs of the Australian community have become more complex over the course of a decade.
Fraud within the NDIS is often the headline when discussing the system’s financial sustainability. There is no doubt that we need to address this issue head-on, both to protect vulnerable Australians and to achieve significant savings for the sector. However, I believe this often serves as a distraction to bigger issues, such as the lack of enough people to support those on the NDIS.
Sometimes it is far more effective to hold up a mirror rather than a stick.
Among this uncertainty, our Direct Employ model is a unicorn. Carer Solutions is the only service in Australia that has been enabling individuals with disability since 2011 to directly employ people that they already know and trust as disability support workers. 
Our service facilitates everything from payroll to insurance and compliance, along with keeping participants updated with NDIS changes and key information. 
There’s a reason other providers are not doing it (I’ll just say it – it’s incredibly complex to pull off), but this is the service people need and deserve to give them the right outcomes. 
Services like this are what we need to save frustrated and exhausted families across Australia from the struggle of finding and retaining suitable support workers.
Take Louise Wall, for example. Louise’s oldest son, Ethan, has level three autism, is nonverbal, and also has ADHD and an intellectual disability. Finding the right support worker for Ethan was about more than taking care of his physical needs; it was just as important to find someone who could understand and connect with him on a deeper level.
It was only through the Direct Employ service that Louise was able to employ Georgia, a staff member at Ethan&#8217;s specialist school. Knowing that Georgia was familiar with connecting and forming trusted relationships with special needs children, allowed Louise to breathe a sigh of relief. Finally, she could have complete peace of mind knowing that her son was being taken care of by someone she wholeheartedly trusted.
While our model has paved the way for over a decade with countless success stories like this, thousands of people continue to struggle. 
The government needs to listen to calls for a simpler and less bureaucratic NDIS. One that focuses on reforms designed to enable people living with disability to make their own decisions &#8211;  bringing them to the decision-making table, and investing in the deep co-design work that is required. This approach will make it sustainable. 
For now, we must focus on addressing the immediate labour shortage crisis. This approach is long overdue and we&#8217;re talking about the health and wellbeing of thousands of people. 
We would like to see the government do more to address this.
The truth is that the NDIS struggles to think outside the box when it comes to solving these problems. It doesn’t embrace innovation, even when innovative solutions like our Direct Employ model can take pressure off the system.
Imagine if it did, though. Imagine if it was open to a disruptive solution. I have been dreaming of this for nearly thirteen years. 
If you want big results for participants, you must do things differently. We need an NDIS and a government that aren’t afraid to take bold leaps in keeping its promise to improve the lives of Australians living with disability.

jane_20-may

Jane_20 May

Two young men panning for gold with one young woman support worker helping.

partners-for-website-4

Partners for website-4

As Autism Awareness Month gets underway, local Bundoora mum Simmonne Dyson-Holland knows just how daunting it can be to put your children into the care of someone you don’t know.
Her twin sons Matthew and Richard both have a primary diagnosis of autism and a secondary diagnosis of intellectual disability. When the boys were very young, Simmonne tried a few support worker agencies, but there were limitations regarding to what extent they could meet the needs of Simmonne and her sons.
“Before the NDIS came along, we had to keep applying for assistance and funding for support workers to assist me with the boys’ after-school routine as well as with transportation and community access,” she said.
Simmonne said it was impossible for the boys to develop relationships with any of their support workers as there was a constant turnover of staff which was “disruptive to Matthew and Richard’s routine”.
<blockquote>“Building relationships was so difficult because there was no continuity of care.”</blockquote>
Matthew and Richard now have four amazing support workers, including a childhood friend, Victoria, who has grown up with the boys as her parents have known Simmonne their whole lives.
Carer Solutions founder and chief executive Jane Morrell said parents of an autistic child need to know that support is available.
“Firstly, if you suspect your child may have autism, see a GP who can refer you to additional services,” she said.
<blockquote>“Once you have a diagnosis, your priority should be making sure that both your child and you are well-supported.</blockquote>
“Should you need disability support workers, know that you can choose the right people for both your child and your family. There may be some challenges finding these workers and in many locations, you may notice that there is a considerable lack of options, due to the ongoing support worker shortage.
“However, there is a way that you can directly employ people you already know and trust, without being limited to the options that some agencies offer.”
Autism Awareness Month runs throughout April, and is focusing on raising awareness, acceptance, and inclusion surrounding autism.
&nbsp;
by Gerald Lynch 
NORTHERN STAR WEEKLY | APRIL 2024
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Simmonne DH_News

Two young women push two young boys on bikes.

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Louise Georgoa and kids

When Louise Wall noticed her toddler Ethan couldn&#8217;t sit still long enough to play, she assumed he was just a &#8220;very busy little boy&#8221;.
But when he could only say a few words by age two, and rarely made eye contact, the Ballarat mum started to worry.
Ethan was her first child and she didn&#8217;t know what was &#8216;normal&#8217; for a kid his age, so she confided in a friend.
&#8220;I remember the day like it was yesterday. She said, &#8216;Do you think maybe he could be autistic?'&#8221; the Ballarat mum tells 9honey.
Pushing through her shock, she researched autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and started seeing the signs she&#8217;d missed.
Ethan was diagnosed with level 3 autism in 2019, just one month shy of his third birthday.
He&#8217;s preverbal, making it unlikely he&#8217;ll ever communicate verbally, and will need support for the rest of his life. It wasn&#8217;t the news Louise was hoping for.
&#8220;The official diagnosis was hard to hear even when I knew it was coming,&#8221; she admits.
&#8220;It was then I realised that life for Ethan was going to be a very difficult and different journey. Life as I knew it was never going to be the same again.&#8221;
Navigating the NDIS after Ethan&#8217;s official diagnosis was hard and Louise&#8217;s days revolved around medical appointments and bouts of crying.
<blockquote>&#8220;Life as I knew it was never going to be the same again.&#8221;</blockquote>
Ethan requires one-on-one support with daily activities like showering, dressing, toileting, eating, so keeping him safe and happy takes serious work.
Louise struggled to adapt to their new normal, especially when he was diagnosed with an intellectual disability shortly after starting school.
The family reached breaking point in 2021, when Louise welcomed her second son, Alex.
Suddenly, she was afraid. How would she support Ethan and care for a newborn?
&#8220;What if I was unable to keep my children safe?&#8221; Louise worried.
&#8220;There have been times that I have felt completely overwhelmed and unable to do this.&#8221;
She needed help, but where do you turn for specialised disability support in Ballarat?
Support workers are hard to find in regional areas and Louise was nervous about employing a total stranger.
Then she found Carer Solutions, Australia&#8217;s only service that allows people to directly employ support workers they know and trust.
&#8220;I had no idea where to begin, so I spoke to a colleague at the Specialist School and she was quick to say, &#8216;Have my support worker Georgia, she&#8217;s fabulous,'&#8221; Louise says.
Through Carer Solutions&#8217; Direct Employ service, Georgia came on as Ethan&#8217;s dedicated support worker and changed everything for the Wall family.
&#8220;Ethan and I couldn&#8217;t be without her, he loves her, and the feelings are mutual,&#8221; Louise says.
&#8220;I truly believe that Ethan would never reach some of his everyday living goals without her.&#8221;
With Georgia around, Louise could focus on Alex while he was a newborn without having to also manage Ethan&#8217;s needs 24/7.
Carer Solutions takes care of all the employer admin, like paying Georgia and managing tax and compliance requirements, so Louise can focus on being a mum.
Now Georgia helps with everything from home life, to Ethan&#8217;s school run, appointments, and family outings.
&#8220;There is an element of isolation that comes with having a child with autism. Sometimes you just can&#8217;t go to some social events or you may have to leave early,&#8221; Louise admits.
&#8220;Ethan often doesn&#8217;t want to do some things or be somewhere, which can result in full meltdowns.&#8221;
That&#8217;s when Louise needs Georgia most, and she can&#8217;t imagine life without her support now – especially since Ethan was recently diagnosed with ADHD as well.
Reliable disability support is hard to access in regional areas like Ballarat, so having Carer Solutions in her corner is a huge relief for Louise.
&#8220;Aussie kids in regional towns have access to more resources now than ever before, but there&#8217;s still a need for more. Finding suitable support workers can be a challenge,&#8221; she says.
<blockquote>&#8220;Being able to choose who comes into your home and supports your child is a gamechanger.&#8221;</blockquote>
They still have to jump through NDIS hoops and put up with long wait times for vital services like occupational therapy, speech therapy, and behaviour therapy.
Ethan, now seven, was waitlisted for music therapy for two years, which Louise sees as proof that there&#8217;s still a lot of work to be done for kids with disabilities in regional Australia.
&#8220;We need to continue to educate people about people with both intellectual and physical disabilities to create more accessible spaces in the communities,&#8221; she says.
&#8220;We all need to continue to advocate for those people we know need the extra support, and continue to ask hard and uncomfortable questions.&#8221;
Published <a href="https://honey.nine.com.au/latest/disability-regional-australia-ethan-autism-louise-wall-exclusive/237bcc13-144c-4494-af26-86a0814fd947">9Honey</a> | MARCH 2024 |

Louise is wearing a purple tshirt and jeans and is sitting next to Georgia on her right, who is wearing a black tshirt with jeans. Ethan is seated between them and Alex is seated on georgia's lap. Both biys have a carer solutions heart plush in their hands.

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Lousie Wall_News

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News & Events 1080 x 720 - 10 (1)

Without the flexible care of Kevin from Carer Solutions, Shepparton local Michael Curtis would not be able to meet one of his personal goals: participating in the Great Victorian Bike Ride.
Leaving at the end of this week, Michael will ride from Orbost to Sale, a 300km journey over five days.
Michael, who has hereditary spastic paraplegia and mental illness, says life is there to be lived.
“You can either sit around and whinge about how you are and what you’ve got, or just go and live life the best you can, and that’s what I do,” Michael said.
<blockquote>“The Great Victorian Bike Ride is something I have always wanted to do.”</blockquote>
Michael says he couldn’t have committed to taking part without his support worker, Kevin.
“He worked through a couple of other providers, but he found they weren’t very flexible, which is not the case with Carer Solutions,” Michael said.
“So being flexible, I can ring Kev and say ‘Hey, Kevin, I’m not having a good day’ and if Kevin’s available, he will come across and be with me and do things for a day.”
Michael was able to employ Kevin through Carer Solutions’ direct employee service, which allows NDIS participants to choose their own support workers.
“Michael chose Kevin, somebody he knows, someone he trusts from within his own network, and employs him directly through our model,” Carer Solutions founder and chief executive Jane Morrell said.
“People come to us with who they want to employ, someone that they already know, already trust, have an existing relationship with, from within their own networks.
“Then we set that person up to be the legal employer of that person, getting a choice and control over who provides them with support.
“The whole benefit of the service is that people come to us with who they want to employ.”
Michael and Kevin have been training every Friday for Michael to be able to meet his goal.
“We have done a bit of training around here, but it is flat, and the ride is going to have rolling hills more than anything, so we have been riding the Great Victorian Rail Trail,” Michael said.
“I couldn’t do these things; I couldn’t do the bike ride, even the training without a carer — it is just not possible.
“For me, the NDIS has been really good; it has allowed me to do a lot of things that I wouldn’t be able to do.
 
Published Shepparton News | NOV 22, 2023 |

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Michael Curtis_Shep News_22 Nov 2023

A woman dressed a yellow tartan top with short pink hair sits in a wheelchair outside her home in Bendigo

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Alex Reimer - Bendigo Advertiser Article

Bendigonian Alex Reimer describes herself as &#8220;a survivor of abuse and neglect by various support workers&#8221;.
&#8220;Too often, the wrong people attract work in the caring industry, leaving us more vulnerable to being mistreated,&#8221; the 26-year-old says.
&#8220;[But] I also consider myself to be speaking to this issue from a place of privilege because I am able to communicate and I have an expansive support network which allows me to advocate for others.&#8221;
<h2>Royal Commission wraps up</h2>
The experiences of thousands of people around the country living with disability &#8211; many of whom don&#8217;t have a great deal of support &#8211; have been collected by the historic Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability, which wrapped up a four-year investigation with a final public hearing last week.
The commission&#8217;s report &#8211; advising what should be done to prevent mistreatment and promote a more inclusive society &#8211; is due to be handed to the government at the end of this month.
Ms Reimer, who has cerebral palsy, says more support and more inclusivity is needed in Bendigo, where living with the disease can be isolating due to a lack of awareness and accessibility.
&#8220;From stairs into a building to people speaking to my support workers instead of me directly, these things can have an impact on my daily life,&#8221; she said, communicating in writing.
&#8220;Throughout my life, people have tried to dictate what I could and couldn&#8217;t do, which I did my best to politely ignore, but if our environment is not friendly to all, it makes it difficult.&#8221;
Nevertheless, the dynamic California Gully resident has pushed through the challenges to move out on her own, publish a collection of prose and poetry and train as a reiki practitioner and &#8220;psychic medium&#8221;.
&#8220;I want to break down the societal belief that disability is something to be fixed,&#8221; she says.
The answer is in &#8220;making our community more environmentally, socially and mentally inclusive, for instance by educating businesses about how to make their spaces more welcoming.&#8221;
<h2>Lack of adequate support</h2>
According to Jane Morrell, CEO of support service Carer Solutions, which works with Ms Reimer, a lack of adequate support for people with disability is a form of neglect that poses a serious and growing threat to wellbeing.
&#8220;There&#8217;s a really significant workforce shortage that we&#8217;re experiencing around the country, and it&#8217;s getting pretty desperate,&#8221; she said.
&#8220;The workforce needs to grow by 31 per cent &#8211; so an additional 83,000 full time workers are needed by June 2024.&#8221;
<h2>More support workers needed</h2>
In the Bendigo area there are about 4300 NDIS participants, Ms Morrell said, and by 2025, approximately 1800 support workers will be needed here.
&#8220;Where are these workers going to come from? We really need more innovative solutions, people thinking outside of the square,&#8221; Ms Morrell said.
The service she founded 12 years ago &#8220;provides a perfect solution to the shortages&#8221;, according to Ms Morrell.
&#8220;How it works is that people use us to directly employ somebody they already know, someone from within their own networks &#8230; and what we do as an organisation is set them up to be a legal employer of that person,&#8221; she said.
Ms Reimer, who says it is always a struggle to find adequate support, describes Carer Solutions as &#8220;a great organisation&#8221;.
In general, there&#8217;s a need for &#8220;much greater levels of support,&#8221; she says.
AUTHOR: Jenny Denton | Photographer Darren Howe
Published Bendigo Advertiser | SEPT 20, 2023 |

Wrapping up 2024!

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