Quick read profile—South East 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 South East Metropolitan profile area

The South East Metropolitan area profile covers about 1,591 square kilometres (ABS 2012a) and includes three local government authorities (LGAs): the cities of Armadale and Gosnells and the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale.

There are an estimated 186,626 people living in the South East Metropolitan areawith about 57 per cent living in the City of Gosnells (ABS 2012a). The South East Metropolitan area represents just over eight per cent of the West Australian population.

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—this will 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 PerthWA 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 website).

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

Contents

Population characteristics4

Networks and support groups5

People using Commission-funded supports and services:

  • Local Area Coordination5–6
  • Shared management6
  • Supported living6
  • Shared supported accommodation (group homes)6
  • Individualised community living7
  • Support to pursue meaningful occupation and lifestyle—7
    Alternatives to Employment (ATE), Post School Options
    (PSO) and recreation
  • Support to families—includes Intensive Family Support 8
    and Family Living Initiative, and breaks for families
    and carers
  • Support to optimise independence and wellbeing—9
    disability professional services

Other community services

  • Employment support9
  • Home and Community Care (HACC)10

Demand for supports and services10

Sector development issues11

Tell us what you think—consultation questions12–13

References14

Appendix A15–21

  • Information about organisations providing support in the area

South East Metropolitan area

Population characteristics

  • It is estimated that 3.4 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).
  • 33.86 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).
  • 16.07 per cent of the South East Metropolitan population speaks a language other than English at home. This is less than 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 2.47 per cent of the population in the south east metropolitan area. Across the state the estimated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population is 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 range from $1,309 to $1,638. The State figure is $1,415 (ABS 2012a).
  • Weekly rental costs for a three bedroom house in the area range from $295 to $395 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 $275,000 to $535,000. 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 South East Metropolitan profile area include:

Boogurlarri Community House Association Inc: A community neighbourhood centre that provides a range of community services including: child care, Outside School Hours Care, vacation care, 4 year-old program, toy library, counselling, advocacy, financial counselling, courses, legal advice, and a parent help centre.

Phone: 9350 6236

WA Special Families: A state-wide Facebook support group, accessed by invitation-only. People able to access this group must be a parent of, or someone caring for, a person with disability.
Access through Facebook only.

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 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.

  • 693 people in this area were registered with LAC in 2011–2012 (Disability Services Commission (DSC) 2012).
  • More than 61 per centof these peoplewere aged between five and 19 years (this trend is common across WA).
  • Most lived in Gosnells (369), followed by Armadale (276) and
    Serpentine-Jarrahdale (48).

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 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.

  • In this profile area 277 people were supported in shared supported accommodation or an individualised accommodation arrangement in 2011–2012 (DSC 2012).

Shared supported accommodation (group homes)

169 people in this profile area lived in one of 31 shared support accommodation arrangements homes in 2011–2012 (DSC 2012). Observations included:

  • Almost halfof these peoplewere aged between 45 and 59 years.
  • Most people were living in City of Gosnells (140), followed by Armadale (31).
  • The Commission’ s Accommodation Services Directorate and Nulsen Haven Association Inc. provided most of the shared supported accommodation in this profile area(see Appendix A for a full list of providers).
  • About nine per cent of all group homes are located in this profile area.

Individualised community living

60 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 Gosnells (37) followed by Armadale (22).
  • My Place is providing most of the individualised community living support in this area (see Appendix A for a full list of providers).
  • Fewer than five 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.

  • 175 people in this profile area received an ATE or PSO allocation in 2011–2012 (DSC 2012).
  • About 38 per cent of these peoplewere aged between 25 and 39.
  • Most people lived in Gosnells (113), followed by Armadale (53) and Serpentine-Jarrahdale (9).
  • There were many organisations supporting people with ATE and PSO funding allocations in this 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.

  • 71 people in this profile area used recreation support services in 2011–2012
    (DSC 2012).
  • Most people who accessed recreation services live in Gosnells (49) followed by Armadale (13) and Serpentine-Jarrahdale (9).
  • Activ Foundation and Inclusion WA provided support to 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:

  • 69 people and their families in this profile area received IFS funding (DSC 2012).
  • Almost half of these peoplewere aged between 10 and 24 years.
  • Most lived in Gosnells (40) followed by Armadale (22).
  • Five 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:

  • 74 people received some form of family support funding from the Commission in which was managed through LAC.
  • 189 people accessed Commission-funded respite support (DSC 2012).
  • The State government continued work building a respite house in Gosnellswith these services to be contracted to Rocky Bay.

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 ways,dependingways, depending 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:

  • 761 people accessed some form of disability professional service—most of these people lived in Gosnells (445) followed by Armadale (270) and Serpentine-Jarrahdale (46).
  • 163 people accessed comprehensive early childhood intervention services.
  • 312 people accessed comprehensive school age intervention services.
  • 171 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:

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 there isare a higher proportion of people accessing shared supported accommodation in the South East Metropolitan profile area compared to state-wide figures. In contrast there are fewer people accessing individualised community living services in this area (DSC 2012).

Future demand

There are two areas of potential future demand:

  • There are 244 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 90 people in shared supported accommodation (group homes) in this area who are older than 45 years. This is likely to impact on demand for services that support people with disability maintain health and wellbeing as
    they age.
  • Compared to other profile areas, there are fewer people using individualised community living support in this area. Demand for this type of support is expected to increase.

Sector development issues

This section considers any existing sector development initiatives and describes what may be emerging needs for this profile area. Consultations will provide an opportunity to consider sector development in more detail.

Potential areas for sector development

The following are potential areas for sector development:

Supporting people to share the management of their individual funding packages

Organisations and individuals may require practical assistance to develop and implement shared management. In this profile area many organisations do not offer shared management.

Healthy and active ageing

A large number of people in shared supported accommodation services (group homes) in this area are older than 45 years. It is likely that people ageing in shared supported accommodation will need additional supports over time—as many people with disability age prematurely and experience complicating health issues as they age.

Creating employment opportunities