Quick read profile—Central North Metropolitan area consultation document

Map based on information provided by and with the permission of the Western Australian Land Information Authority (Landgate), and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)

About the Central North metropolitan profile area

The Central North metropolitan area profile covers about 234 square kilometres (ABS 2012a) and includes 12 local government authorities (LGAs): the Cities of Bayswater, Nedlands, Perth, Stirling and Subiaco, the Towns of Bassendean, Cambridge, Claremont, Cottesloe, Mosman Park and Vincent, and the Shire of Peppermint Grove.

There are an estimated 409,714 people living in the Central North metropolitan area with almost half living in the City of Stirling. The Central North metropolitan area represents 18 per cent of the West Australian population (ABS 2012a).

Information about the Sector Development Plan and the area profile consultation documents

The Disability Services Commission’s (the Commission) vision is that all people live in welcoming communities that support citizenship, friendship, mutual support and a fair go for everyone. The Commission is working together with key stakeholders to create a Sector Development Plan (the Plan). The Plan will provide the disability sector with direction and will identify opportunities for development.

The Commission has written fifteen area profile consultation documents which cover all areas of WA as well as this summary document for each area—the quick read. Each area profile consultation document presents information about supports and services available in each profile area. We want to hear from people who live and work in each profile area to help us understand more about the disability supports and services people receive. The Commission will then use this information to develop local plans for each profile area along with an overall state-wide plan.

How to 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 www.dsc.wa.gov.au web site).

If you have any questions or require further assistance, please email or phone 9426 9309.

Contents

Population characteristics4

Networks and support groups5–6

People using Commission-funded supports and services

  • Local Area Coordination6
  • Shared management6
  • Supported living7
  • Shared supported accommodation (group homes)7
  • Individualised community living7
  • Support to pursue meaningful occupation and lifestyle—7–8
    Alternatives to Employment (ATE), Post School Options
    (PSO) and recreation
  • Support to families—includes Intensive Family Support 8–9
    and Family Living Initiative, and breaks for families
    and carers
  • Support to optimise independence and wellbeing—9
    disability professional services

Other community services:

  • Employment support10
  • Home and Community Care (HACC).10

Demand for supports and services10–11

Sector development issues11

Tell us what you think—consultation questions12–13

References14

Appendix A15–22

  • Information about organisations providing support in the area

Central North metropolitan area

Population characteristics

  • It is estimated that 2.4 per cent of the population in this area have a severe or profound core activity limitation. Across the state it is estimated that 3.1 per cent of the population have a severe or profound core activity limitation (ABS 2012b).
  • 35.59 per cent of the population in this area was born overseas, which is slightly more than the WA average of 31 per cent (ABS 2012a).
  • 21.82 per cent of the Central North metropolitan population speaks a language other than English at home.This is consistent with the WA average of 21 per cent (ABS 2012a).
  • People who identified as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander in the 2011 Census
    (ABS 2012a) represent 1.02 per cent of the population in the Central North metropolitan area. This is below the state-wide figure of three per cent.
  • For all LGAs in this profile area, nearly eight per cent of the population provided unpaid assistance to a person with disability (ABS 2012a). This is consistent with the percentage recorded for the State (ABS 2012a).

Other observations

  • Median household weekly incomes in the area range from $1,290 in Bayswater to $2,685 in Peppermint Grove. The state figure is $1,415 (ABS 2012a).
  • Weekly rental costs for a three bedroom house in the area range from $330 to $650 per week. The Perth metropolitan median weekly rent for a three bedroom house is $385 (REIWA 2012).
  • Median house prices also vary, with three bedroom houses in a sample of suburbs ranging in price from $350,000 to $2,400,000. The median house price in the Perth metropolitan area is $470,000 (REIWA 2012).

Networks and support groups

People get practical and moral support from their wider family, friends, neighbours and other families, this support is important. Informal and structured community groups also play a valuable role in supporting and strengthening people and families. People might find support through local 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.

You can also find information about local support groups through Local Area Coordinators (LACs), information services provided by Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres (CRCC), Carers WA or your LGA.

Some support groups in the Central North metropolitan profile area include:

ISHAR Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health:

Provides services to help women deal with problems or worries, stay healthy, build self-confidence and meet women from other countries. A female GP, clinical and therapeutic services, counselling, carer support and skills development, and multilingual information are available.

Phone: 9345 5335.

Web: .

Koondoola-Girrawheen Youth Inc.:

Provides advocacy; referral and support to young people aged 14-21 who are marginalised and/or alienated from main stream services. Services include Youth Health Program; counselling; work skills training program; referral and support for young people.

Phone: 9309 4604.

Network for Grandparents parenting Grandchildren:

Provides information, support and advocacy on behalf of older people parenting grandchildren.

Address: 141 Parry Street, Perth, WA, 6000.

Sudbury Community House:

Provides a social environment where people can learn and develop skills and obtain information and assistance on various issues. Activities include parenting classes, playgroups, crafts, music and movement. Sudbury Community House is a venue for support groups.

Address: 30 Chesterfield Road, Mirrabooka, WA, 6061.

The Emmanuel Centre:

A self-help centre run by and for people with disabilities. Provides information, counselling, faith development, advocacy, education and training, as well as work experience. Programs run from Monday to Thursday 9.30am-3pm.

Phone: 9328 8113.

Web: .

WA Special Families

A state-wide Facebook support group accessed by invitation only.People able to access the group must be a parent of, or someone caring for, a person with disability.

Access through Facebook only.

Women with Disabilities WA (WWDWA) Inc.:

A support and advocacy group run by women with disabilities. Offers monthly forums on relevant topics and provides support and information to women with disabilities in Western Australia.

Phone: 9244 7463.

Web: wwwdwa.org.au .

People using Commission-funded and provided services

This section describes how people in this area used Commission-funded and provided supports and services in 2011−2012. It does not provide detail about how well services are working.

Local information and support for individuals and families—
Local Area Coordination (LAC)

Many people with disability access the Commission’s Local Area Coordination (LAC) support across the state. LACs support children and adults with physical, sensory, neurological, cognitive and/or intellectual disability who are under 65 at the time they first apply for support. LACs work with individuals and communities to provide direct and personalised support to people with disability, their families and carers to live a fulfilled life.

  • 1,624 people in this area were registered with LAC in 2011–2012 (Disability Services Commission (DSC) 2012).
  • More than 44 per cent of these people were aged between five and 19 (this trend is common across WA).
  • Most lived in Stirling (849), followed by Bayswater (209), Bassendean (124) and Vincent (117).

Directing supports and services—shared management

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

Organisations are encouraged to offer shared management. A shared management approach gives people greater control over their supports and funding. To make sure expectations and responsibilities are met by each party, an agreement is developed.
(See Appendix A for a list of organisations that offer shared management).

Supported living

Supported living describes the support provided to people with disability so they can live in their home and community. Supported living relies on individual funding allocation—which people apply for through the Combined Application Process (CAP) or Community Living Program.

  • 969 people in this profile area were supported in shared supported accommodation or an individualised accommodation arrangement in 2011–2012 (DSC 2012).

Shared supported accommodation (group homes)

690 people in this profile area lived in one of 99 shared support accommodation arrangement homes in 2011–2012 (DSC 2012). Observations included:

  • More than 51 per cent of these people were aged between 45 and 59.
  • Most people were living in Stirling (297), followed by Subiaco (151) and Bassendean (114).
  • The Disability Services Commission, through its Accommodation Services directorate, and the Department of Health of Western Australia provided most of the shared supported accommodation in this profile area (see Appendix A for a full list of providers).
  • Over 27 per cent of all group homes in the state are located in this profile area.

Individualised community living

279 people in this profile area used individual community living support and services and were assisted to live independently in the community (DSC 2012).

  • Most of these people live in Stirling (134).
  • My Place, Perth Home Care Services and Life Without Barriers are providing most of the individualised community living support in this area (see Appendix A for a full list of providers).
  • 25 people in this area have a community living package.

Support to pursue meaningful occupation/lifestyle

Post School Options (PSO) and Alternatives to Employment (ATE) are Commission-funded programs that support people in meaningful activities during their week. These programs rely on individual funding allocation. People of school-leaving age can apply for PSO and is allocated based on eligibility and support needs. Adults with disability can apply for ATE funding through CAP, which is allocated based on eligibility, support needs and priority
of need.

  • 620 people in this profile area received an ATE or PSO allocation in 2011−2012
    (DSC 2012).
  • More than 46 per cent of these people were aged between 20 and 34.

  • Most people lived in Stirling (309), followed by Bayswater (84) and Bassendean (81).
  • There are many organisations working with people with ATE and PSO funding allocations in this profile area (see Appendix A for a full list of providers).

Recreation

Eligible people with disability may access support from Commission-funded organisations to pursue recreational activities. People contact organisations directly to find out about how to access services.

  • 615 people in this profile area used recreation support services in 2011–2012
    (DSC 2012).
  • The majority of these people lived in Stirling (289) followed by Subiaco (116).
  • The Activ Foundation, The Centre for Cerebral Palsy and the Paraplegic Quadriplegic Association were the recreation services used by the largest number of people (see Appendix A for a full list of providers).

Support to families

Some services and supports aim to improve family wellbeing. In some cases these services are individually funded through the Family Living Initiative (FLI) or Intensive Family Support (IFS).

FLI has a strong emphasis on planning. Families can apply for funding based on a plan that complements informal supports provided by families, carers, friends and the community.

When families are under stress or at risk of breakdown people can apply for IFS funding through CAP. Funding is allocated based on eligibility, support needs and priority of need.

In 2011–2012:

  • 194 people and their families in this profile area received IFS funding (DSC 2012).
  • Over 53 per cent of these people were aged between 10 and 24.
  • Most lived in Stirling (99), followed by Bayswater (23) and Subiaco (21).
  • 22 people have a plan and funding package through the FLI (DSC 2012).

Breaks for families and carers

To give themselves a break, families and carers can sometimes access respite services from Commission-funded organisations or Commonwealth-funded programs. Individuals and families apply for respite opportunities directly with organisations that provide services based on a person’s need and vacancies. These services can be flexible, for example they can be provided in the person’s home and/or community, provided out-of-home in respite houses, and during school holidays.

Commonwealth Respite and Care Link can provide information about organisations that provide respite, and can fund short-term or one-off respite. LACs can also help people to have a break or access supports.

In this profile area in 2011–2012

  • 160 people received some form of family support funding from the Commission in 2011–2012, which was managed through LAC.
  • 419 people accessed Commission-funded respite support in 2011–2012 (DSC 2012).

Developing independence and wellbeing

Disability professional services

Many people with disability access professional services, including therapy, to improve wellbeing, support their independence, and develop skills.

The Commission provides services and funds organisations to provide services to eligible people with disability. Services can also be accessed privately, through WA Health, or by accessing Commonwealth funding. People can access services in a variety of waysdepending on eligibility, availability of services and relative need.

Comprehensive services are services that respond flexibly to the needs and goals of people with disability and their family. These services include speech and occupational therapy, physiotherapy and psychology support.

Targeted services are single-focused, highly specified services which are available across all stages of life. Services include equipment display, specialised equipment consultancy, interventions for challenging behaviours and state-wide consultancy and resource teams.

In this profile area in 2011–2012:

  • 1,758 people accessed some form of disability professional service. Most of these people lived in Stirling (935), followed by Bayswater (225), Bassendean (138) and Vincent (101).
  • 319 people accessed comprehensive early childhood intervention services.
  • 669 people accessed comprehensive school age intervention services.
  • 454 people accessed comprehensive adult intervention services (DSC 2012).

Other community services

Employment supports and services for people with disability

Some people with disability access employment services to support them to find and keep a job. People choose (or are assessed and directed by Centrelink) to access Australian Disability Enterprises (ADE) or Disability Employment Services (DES), depending on their support needs. Information about ADEs and DESs operating in this area can be found at the following websites:

  • ADE: .
  • DES: www.deewr.gov.au/Employment/Programs/DES/Pages/About.aspx.

Home and Community Care Services (HACC)

The Home and Community Care (HACC) program provides assistance to people who are aged, frail or with disability to live independently. Services include nursing care, allied health care, meals, domestic assistance, personal care, home maintenance, transport, respite, counselling, information and advocacy, social supports and assistance with essential activities such as shopping and banking.

In the Perth metropolitan area, people can apply for HACC services and be assessed for eligibility via the Commonwealth Carelink and Respite Centre (CCRC). The HACC program has limited resources and services are allocated according to relative needs.

Demand for supports and services

Demand from people who need support and services is growing. As such, service provision is adapting to become more flexible and meet this demand.

Service access

When population is taken into account the proportion of people accessing LAC services in the Central North metropolitan area is similar to the figures for other areas across WA. However, there is a higher rate of people in shared supported accommodation or group homes in this areas compared to others (DSC 2012). This reflects the number of group homes in the area. There are also higher numbers of people in the Central North metropolitan area accessing ATE and PSO services.

Future demand

There are two areas of potential future demand:

  • There are 440 young people registered with LAC in this area. This may affect future demand for services that support young people to find and keep a job or find meaningful activities after they finish school. Local, targeted efforts may be required to support young people with disability to access further education or find opportunities for employment.
  • There are more than 378 people in shared supported accommodation (group homes) in this area who are over 45 years-of-age. This is likely to impact on demand for services that support people with disability maintain health and wellbeing as
    they age.

Sector development issues