Profile—Central South Metropolitan area

Profile—Central South Metropolitan area

Consultation Document

Area profile for comment
January 2013

Consultation document

The Disability Services Commission’s (DSC) vision is that all people live in welcoming communities that facilitate citizenship, friendship, mutual support and a fair go for everyone. To achieve this, Western Australia requires a responsive disability service sector to support people with disability, their families and carers to access more opportunities in the community.

To meet this goal, the Commission in partnership with key stakeholders is creating a Sector Development Plan. Its purpose is:

  • to provide further direction and targeted developmental opportunities across WA
  • to ensure the disability services sector continues to evolve to meet the needs, goals and preferences of people with disability.

Fifteen profile area documents have been created to cover all areas across WA. They combine existing information to create a picture of supports and services that make up the disability sector in each area. It provides a base of information to be validated or challenged by stakeholders.

Feedback will add to our understanding of each area and how well supports and services match people’s needs. The consultation process will identify strengths and gaps in supports provided to people with disability in each area.

Guiding strategic documents

  • Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability (United Nations 2006)
  • Count Me In: Disability Future Directions (DSC 2009)
  • Delivering Community Services in Partnership Policy (Department of Premier and Cabinet 2011)
  • Disability Care and Support Reports (Productivity Commission 2011)
  • Disability Services Commission Strategic Plan 2011–2015
    (DSC 2011)
  • National Disability Agreement (Commonwealth of Australia 2011)
  • National Disability Strategy (Commonwealth of Australia 2009)

The plan will be developed in three phases:

Phase one

  • Describing existing supports and services
  • 15 profile area consultation documents
  • State-wide overview

Phase two

  • Seeking local feedback
  • Identifying strengths and gaps

Phase three

  • Planning and identifying opportunities to improve the sector
  • Developing solutions to address gaps

Have your say

We are seeking feedback from interested stakeholders and have developed a list of questions covering a number of topics for your consideration. A feedback form template has also been provided which may assist you in consolidating your comments. Should you wish to use the template provided you can either complete it electronically or print it and hand write your comments.

Forms can be returned to the Commission by email or post.

  • email the template to
  • post the template to:

Disability Services Commission

Sector Development Plan Feedback

PO Box 441

WEST PERTH WA 6872

The template has been supplied as a helpful tool but it is not compulsory that you use it or answer every question to provide your feedback. Any general comments can be provided to the Commission via email or post using the details above, or they can be provided verbally or by attending a focus group.

To provide feedback another way you can:

  • provide verbal feedback by phoning Sector Development on 9426 9309
  • attend a focus group that will be hosted in local areas (these will be advertised on the web site).

The closing date for feedback will be advertised on the web site.
If you have any questions or require further assistance, please email or phone 9426 9309.

Note about information and data

All efforts have been taken to ensure that the data contained in these profiles is as accurate and contemporary as possible. Specific data limitations are listed throughout the profiles and in Appendix B and users are encouraged to interpret the information with caution.

Location

The central south metropolitan area profile covers about 223 square kilometres (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2012b) and includes seven local government authorities (LGAs): the Cities of Belmont, Canning, Fremantle, Melville, and South Perth, and the Towns of East Fremantle and Victoria Park. The region stretches from Canning Vale to the south to Redcliffe in the north and from Fremantle in the west the Perth Airport in the east. Of the seven LGAs, the City of Canning covers the largest expanse of land covering about 29.16 per cent of the total area (ABS 2012b).

Demographics

According to the 2011 Census (ABS 2012b), there is an estimated 323,106 people living in the region about 30 per cent reside in the City of Melville and 26 per cent in the City of Canning. The central south metropolitan area represents 14.43 per cent of the West Australian population.

A further breakdown of the 2011 Census (ABS 2012b) population figures follows:

  • In the central south metropolitan area there is an estimated total population of 323,106.
  • In the City of Belmont the estimated population is 32,434.
  • In the City of Canning the estimated population is 40,739.
  • In the Town of East Fremantle the estimated population is 95,700.
  • In the City of Fremantle the estimated population is 26,582.
  • In the City of Melville the estimated population is 6,929.
  • In the City of South Perth the estimated population is 85,514.
  • In the Town of Victoria Park the estimated population is 35,208.

The age distribution across the population in the central south metropolitan area is similar to that across Western Australia.

According to the Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC) 2009, Small area estimates, an estimated 7,084 (2.5%) of the private dwelling population have a severe or profound core activity limitation (ABS 2012c). In reality most areas do not deviate hugely from 3.1% because the numbers are so small.

Figures from the SDAC are produced from samples which are then generalised to the population—the numbers are referred to as estimates and are to be used as a guide only. Core activities are tasks related to self-care, mobility and communication. People with severe and profound limitations sometimes or always need help and supervision with a core activity, or have difficulty understanding or being understood by family and friends (ABS 2012b) (see Appendix B).

Population characteristics

  • About 38 per cent of the population in this area was born overseas, which is higher than the WA average of 31 per cent (ABS 2012b).
  • 23 per cent of central south metropolitan population speaks a language other than English at home—this is above the WA average of 21 per cent (ABS 2012b).
  • People who identified as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander in the 2011 Census
    (ABS 2012b) represent 1.21 per cent of the population—this is below the state-wide figure of three per cent. The City of Belmont was the only LGA that reported a figure consistent with the state.
  • For all LGAs in this profile area, nearly eight per cent of the population provided unpaid assistance to a person with disability (ABS 2012b). This is consistent with the percentage recorded for the State (ABS 2012b).

The median total household weekly incomes across the central south metropolitan area are similar to the State figure of $1,415 (ABS 2012b). According to the 2011 Census (ABS 2012b) residents in each LGA recorded the following median total household incomes:

  • The median household income in the City of Belmont is $1,263.
  • The median household income in the City of Canning is $1,423.
  • The median household income in the Town of East Fremantle is $1,834.
  • The median household income in the City of Fremantle is $1,299.
  • The median household income in the City of Melville is $1,619.
  • The median household income in the City of South Perth is $1,606.
  • The median household income in the Town of Victoria Park is $1,360.

The median weekly rent and housing prices for three bedroom houses in the central south metropolitan area are variable compared to the Perth metropolitan median weekly rental cost of $385 and housing price of $470,000. According to the Real Estate Institute of WA (REIWA 2012) suburbs in the area recorded the following rental costs and housing prices:

  • Alfred Cove, which is located in the City of Melville, has a median weekly rent of $503 and a median house price of $695,000.
  • Bentley, which is located in the City of Canning, has a median weekly rent of $400 and a median house price of $436,500.
  • Fremantle, which is located in the City of Fremantle, has a median weekly rent of $563 and a median house price of $732,500.
  • Salter Point, which is located in the City of South Perth, has a median weekly rent of $800 and a median house price of $986,000.
  • South Perth, which is located in the City of South Perth, has a median weekly rent of $575 and a median house price of $1,162,000.
  • Leeming, which is located in the City Of Melville, has a median weekly rent of $410 and a median house price of $608,500.

There are many other sources of information that could be considered with this area profile document. Information about health services, local government services and education services will enhance the context in which disability sector development is considered. For example, Regional Development Australia (RDA) has developed a Regional Plan for Perth which can be accessed via rda.gov.au/my-rda/wa.

Tell us what you think

  1. What other information would you like to add about the central south metropolitan area that is not already contained in the profile?

People, families, supports and services

This section describes supports and services people with disability, families and carers accessed in the central south metropolitan profile area in 2011−2012. It includes information about networks and support groups, Commission-funded and provided services and other community services available.

Networks and support groups

People with disability, their families and carers often get practical and moral support from their wider family, friends, neighbours and other families of people with disability. This support is important.

Informal and structured community groups also play a valuable role in supporting and strengthening individuals and families. People and families are often involved within their community in church groups, sports and recreation activities, community networks, mothers’ groups, playgroups, self-help and peer support programs, disability-specific support groups, cultural groups and education and counselling services.

People can access information about local support groups through other community members, the Commission’s Local Area Coordination (LAC) or through information services provided by Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres (CRCC), Carers WA or local government authorities (LGA).

A sample of groups and organisations providing support in the area includes (Support Groups Association WA 2012):

Boogurlarri Community House Association Inc.: A community neighbourhood centre that provides a range of community services including - child care, OSHC, vacation care, 4 year old programme, toy library, counselling, advocacy, financial counselling, courses, legal advice, and a parent help centre. Open Monday to Friday between 9.30am–4.30pm

Contact: 9350 6236

Fremantle Women’s Health Centre Inc. (FWHC): Offers a professional, friendly and efficient health service for women of all cultures. Services include free advice and information, clinical services, library resources, counselling and group meetings.

Contact: 9431 0500Web:

Lend an ear—Parents and carers of persons with a disability: A support group for carers of children or adults with a disability. Provides self-help support and fellowship. Meetings are held monthly, except during school holidays.

Address: 117 Gabriel Street, Cloverdale, WA, 6105.

South Perth Outreach Inc.: Provides outreach services. They define disadvantage as not just economic but also applies to people emotionally disadvantaged etc. Their objectives are Lifestyle training, and to reintegrate disadvantaged people into the community.

Contact: 9368 1479

The Gowrie (WA) Inc.: Responds to local needs by developing relevant programs, projects and services which provide family support, individual and community empowerment and facilitation. Services include children's programs, training and development courses.

Contact: 9478 7500Web:

WA Special Families: Is a state wide Facebook support group. It is accessed by invite-only and the people able to access it must be a parent of or someone caring for, a person with disability.

Tell us what you think

  1. What other disability or community support groups are available and active in this area?
  2. What other informal community support groups would the area benefit from?

People using Commission-funded and provided services

This section describes people with disability and their families who live in the central south metropolitan area and used Commission-funded and provided supports and services in 2011−2012. It reflects how the Commission defines, organises and funds services at present. It does not provide detail about how well these services are working.

Local information and support for individuals and families

Local Area Coordination (LAC)

Many people with disability and their families access the Commission’s LAC support. LAC works at an individual and community level to support people with disability, their families and carers to participate, contribute and belong in their local communities. It assists people with disability and their families’ access supports and services designed to help them exercise choices in their daily lives. This approach helps to foster independence and the development of skills and abilities that enables them to participate in their community and to pursue a good life.

LAC works directly with individuals and families to provide support that is personalised, flexible and responsive. The cornerstone of the LAC role is building and maintaining effective working relationships that help support individuals and families to pursue their goals and meet their needs. LAC provides local support to children and adults with physical, sensory, neurological, cognitive and/or intellectual disability who are under 65 at the time they first apply for support.

In 2011–2012, 1,228 people in the central south metropolitan area were registered with LAC according to the Annual Client and Service Data Collection (ACDC) (Disability Services Commission 2012). Of these people:

  • Over 46 per cent were aged between five and 19 (this is consistent with the high numbers of young people registered with LAC across WA).
  • Most lived in Canning (459), followed by Melville (356) and Belmont (154).

Directing supports and services—shared management

Most people with an individualised funding allocation from the Commission have their support managed and provided by a prequalified disability sector organisation. Some people with Community Living or Family Living manage their funding allocation through an agreement with their LAC.

Disability service organisations are encouraged to offer shared management which enables individuals and/or families to have directive control over matters related to their supports and funding. Some people have their funding allocation transferred to them by the organisation and they manage the use of these funds and acquittal in accordance with the shared management agreement.

Where the individual and/or family elect to take on shared management, negotiation occurs between the individual and/or family and the organisation to achieve a shared agreement. This enables each party’s requirements, expectations and responsibilities to be clearly established and subsequently documented in a signed shared management agreement.

Shared management gives those people who want autonomy an opportunity to have greater control. It requires a good relationship between all parties to ensure the right balance of support is provided.

According to the 2011–2012 ACDC (DSC 2012) the following organisations offered shared management in the central south metropolitan area in 2012:

  • Activ
  • Baptistcare
  • BGSR
  • Cam Can & Associates
  • Family Support WA
  • Interchange
  • Multiple Sclerosis Society
  • My Place
  • One 2 One
  • Perth Home Care Services
  • Rocky Bay
  • The Centre for Cerebral Palsy

Supported living

Supported living describes a type of support provided to people with disability so they can live in their home and community. In WA, it is resourced through individual funding allocated by the Commission. This funding is applied for by the individual (or their family) and is allocated on the basis of priority of need, through the Combined Application Process (CAP), or allocated based on need and planning through the Community Living Program.

Increasingly, this support is provided in ways that allow people greater choice and flexibility.

In 2011−12, 556 people in the central south metropolitan area had a Commission allocated individualised funding package and were supported in shared supported accommodation or an individualised accommodation arrangement (DSC2012).

Shared supported accommodation

In 2011−12, 366 people in the central south metropolitan area had an individualised funding package for accommodation support and lived in one of 68 shared support accommodation arrangements (group homes) (DSC 2012). This represented about 19 per cent of all group homes across the State. Of these 366 people, 71 per cent were aged over 40.
Other information of note includes:

  • Most people were living in Canning (174), followed by Belmont (59) and South
    Perth (53).
  • Disability Services Commission—Accommodation Services provided the majority of the shared supported accommodation in this profile area.

Individualised community living (ICL)

In the central south metropolitan area in 2011−12, 190 people had an individualised funding package for accommodation support and utilised individual community living support and services (DSC 2012). Most of these people live in Canning and Melville (59 and 55 people respectively).

My Place and Perth Home Care services are providing most of the individualised community living support in this area. A significant number of people self-manage their individualised community living supports through a Commission Local Area Coordinator.

34 people in this area have a community living package.

Support to pursue meaningful occupation/lifestyle

This section describes services and supports available for people to pursue meaningful occupation and an active lifestyle. These services tend to be referred to as social participation, alternatives to employment or post-school options and recreation.

Post School Options (PSO) and Alternatives to Employment (ATE) are Commission funded programs intended to support people to pursue meaningful activities during their week. Both programs involve the application and allocation of individualised funding packages to individuals. The PSO program is for individuals of school-leaving age and allocated based on eligibility and support needs. ATE funding can be accessed by adults with disability through the Combined Application Process and is based on eligibility, support needs and priority of need.