Quick read profile—Wheatbelt 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 Wheatbelt profile area

The Wheatbelt area profile covers about 158,561 square kilometres (ABS 2012a) and includes 44 local government authorities (LGAs) (see Appendix A for a full list of LGAs).

There are an estimated 76,376 people living in the Wheatbelt area (ABS 2012a). The Wheatbelt profile area represents 3.28 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 Perth WA6872

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).

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 living6
  • 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 7–8
    and Family Living Initiative, and breaks for families
    and carers
  • Support to optimise independence and wellbeing—8
    disability professional services

Other community services

  • Employment support9
  • Home and Community Care (HACC)9

Demand for supports and services9

Sector development issues10

Tell us what you think—consultation questions11–12

References13

Appendix A14–17

  • Information about organisations providing support in the area

Wheatbelt area

Population characteristics

  • It is estimated that 3.5 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).
  • 15.37 per cent of the population in this area was born overseas, which is below the WA average of 31 per cent (ABS 2012a).
  • 3.84 per cent of the Wheatbelt population speaks a language other than English at hom. Tthis is significantly below 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 4.65 per cent of the population in the Wheatbelt area. The state-wide figure is three per cent.
  • For all LGAs in this profile area, more than nine per cent of the population provided unpaid assistance to a person with disability (ABS 2012a). This is consistent greater than the percentage recorded for the State (7.50 per cent) (ABS 2012a).

Other observations

  • Median household weekly incomes across this area range from $759 to $1,814. The State figure is $1,415 (ABS 2012a).
  • Weekly rental costs for a threebedroom house in a sample of towns in the area are between $200 to $350. The Perth metropolitan median weekly rent for a threebedroom house is $385 (REIWA 2012).
  • Median house prices for a sample of towns in this area are lower than the Perth metropolitan median house price of $470,000. Prices range from $115,000 to $308,500 (REIWA 2012).

Networks and support groups

People get practical and moral support from their wider family, friends, neighbours and other families, thissupport 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 Wheatbelt profile area include:

Share and Care Community Service Group Inc.: Assists those in need of health, welfare and childcare services in communities in the Coastal, Wheatbelt and Upper Great Southern areas. Services include financial counselling, emergency relief, supported accommodation, women's refuge, and home support service.

Postal address: PO Box 365, Northam, WA, 6401.

WA Special Families: A state-wide Facebook support groupaccessed 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.

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.

  • 339 people in this area were registered with LAC in 2011–2012 (Disability Services Commission (DSC) 2012).
  • More than 52 per cent of people were aged between five and 19 years (this trend is common across WA).
  • Most lived in Narrogin (51), followed by Northam (49) and Merredin (27).

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.

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

Shared supported accommodation (group homes)

Eight people in this area lived in shared support accommodation homes in 2011–2012 (DSC 2012). Observations included:

  • Activ Foundation and the Commission’s Accommodation Services Directorate provided all theshared supported accommodation in this profile area.

Individualised community living

28 people in this area used individual community living support and services and were assisted to live independently in the community in 2011–2012 (DSC 2012).

  • Most of these people live in Northam (8).
  • Perth Home Care Services are 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.

  • 77 people in this area received an ATE or PSO allocation in 2011–2012 (DSC 2012).
  • Almost 60 per cent of these peoplewere aged between 15 and 29 years.
  • Most people lived in Narrogin (13), followed by Northam (12) and York (10).
  • Perth Home Care Services and Avon Community Employment Support Centre Inc. provide most of the ATE and PSO support 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.

  • 19 people in this area used recreation support services in 2011–2012 (DSC 2012).
  • The Activ Foundation was the only provider of recreation services.

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.

  • 34 people and their families in this area received IFS funding in 2011–2012
    (DSC 2012).
  • These people are spread across the Wheatbelt profile area.
  • Fewer than 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 2011-2012 in this profile area:

  • 19 people received some form of family support funding from the Commission in which was managed through LAC.
  • 110 people accessed Commission-funded respite support (DSC 2012).
  • Most people lived in Northam (28), followed by York (16) and Merredin (15).
  • The WA Government built a respite house in York. Wheatbelt Individual and Family Support Association have the contract to provide services.

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.

In regional Western Australia comprehensive disability professional services are provided through the WA Country Health Service (WACHS). Services can also be accessed privately, or in some cases using Commonwealth funding.

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.

In this profile area comprehensive disability professional services are were provided by WACHS.

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 a lower proportion of people in the Wheatbelt live in shared supported accommodation compared to other areas of the state (DSC 2012).

Future demand

There is one area of potential future demand:

  • There are 113 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.

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

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.

Creating employment opportunities

Strategies may need to be developed to support people with disability to have adequate career/employment preparation, and planning and services to pursue further education, find employment or pursue meaningful lifestyles.

Tell us what you think—consultation questions

Below are questions that we would like to hear your responses to.

Community

  1. What other information would you like to add about the Wheatbelt area that is not in the area profile consultation document?
  2. What other disability or community support groups are active in this area?
  3. What other informal community support groups would help people in the area?

Disability supports and services

  1. What difference are supports and services making?
  2. How well are disability-specific supports and services complementing other community supports?
  3. Can you provide details of any partnerships that are working well in this area?
  4. Do they match the needs of people in this area?
  5. What supports are working well in this area?
  6. Are there services and supports in this area that are not achieving the best outcomes? What kind of fine-tuning is needed?
  7. Are there barriers to accessing services and supports in this area? What are they?

Other community services

  1. What needs to be done to support people with disability in the area to find and keep
    a job?
  2. What are the main factors that help people with disability to achieve their employment goals?
  3. What are the barriers to people with disability achieving their employment goals?
  4. What examples can you provide of Home and Community Care (HACC) services that are working well for people with disability in this area?

Service demand and coverage

  1. Are you aware of any emerging trends where the changing needs of people with disability in this area are not fulfilled by current services? If so, what are they?
  2. What supports and services are likely to be in demand in this area into the future?
  3. What types of supports and services needed by local people are not available now?

Service planning

  1. Can you suggest any ways to improve the effectiveness of disability supports and services in WA? If so what are they?
  2. Can you identify barriers to improving the effectiveness of disability supports and services in WA?
  3. If so, what are the main barriers?
  4. Can you suggest any ways to develop the disability sector in WA? If so, what are they?
  5. Are there any emerging issues about the disability services sector, or issues facing people with disability, their families and carers? What do we need to think about when planning in this area?
  6. Do service providers working in this area have the capacity to support people with disability, families and carers to share decision-making and management of their supports and services when they want to?

General comments