Annual Report 2013-14
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CARERS ACT ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14
Quote from a Carer Dear Carers ACT, Over recent months Cathy, I have thought often to write a thank you for your intervention, the day we met at the NGA….and I was in a bad way. Cathy you have massively turned my life around…at a time when I was desperately in need of help. You pointed me in the direction of the wonderful Jan Stirling, one of Carers ACT’s counsellors….and the wonderful Janine in the fantastic Mindfulness Workshop which I loved being a part of. From this workshop I met a woman who steered me in to CIT Skills for Carers Yoga class…I did every week last term…missed it heaps during the holidays… happy to be back today. I have found this class enormously helpful in many many ways. It is almost a lifeline. I have also been a part of Robin’s Mental Health Carers Support group…. only just finding my feet there, but certainly finding it helpful to listen. Fellow carers have told me I have “changed”… “improved” and I certainly do feel in a better place. So many thanks for your help. I appreciate it so much. Cheers, Helen Murray Carer
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CARERS ACT ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14
Contents Introduction
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Highlights – 2013-2014 against strategic plan goals
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Services for carers and their families
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• Information and services • Talking time out • ACT key results • Feedback from those who attended the Carers Gathering • Talking it over • Workshops and learning • SE NSW key results • Social connections for carers • Advocacy for carers • Branch Out Disability Services Raising awareness and reaching carers
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• Engaging with community and media • Caring issues Campaigning for carers
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• Conference or forum presentations • Committees and representation • Mental Health Carers Voice Program • Carer representation Managing our resources
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• Our people • Quality • Governance • Information and communication technology • Financial resources • Where our funding comes from • How our funding is invested Consolidated audit
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Thank you to sponsors and supporters
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Carers ACT contacts
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Staffing as at 30 June 2014
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Who are carers Carers provide unpaid care and support to family members and friends who have a disability, mental illness, chronic condition, terminal illness, drug or alcohol issues or who are frail aged. There are an estimated 2.6 million carers across Australia with an estimated 43,000 carers in the ACT. Carers are the foundation of Australia’s aged, disability, palliative and community care systems yet their role often goes unnoticed.
Who we are Carers ACT is a not-for-profit community organisation which has been supporting and providing services to family carers and the people they care for, since 1992. We are a member of the national network of Carers Associations and our work is focussed on supporting and advocating for carers of all ages and all caring circumstances. We actively engage with caring families in all aspects of our work and we are governed by a committed and skilled Board of Directors. Our staff are dedicated, experienced, qualified professionals who share a passion for making a measurable difference to improving carers’ lives. A number of our team are also carers or have been in caring roles.
Our Vision An Australia that values and supports caring families.
Our Mission We campaign with and for carers to advocate for the systemic support they need. We provide services to support carers’ needs and the needs of the people they care for.
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CARERS ACT ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14
Letter from the Chairman and CEO In the face of monumental reforms in the aged care and disability sectors Carers ACT has risen to these challenges while responding to the increasingly complex needs of carers. This year we have also achieved organisational growth and a number of strategic imperatives.
families’ fear of losing person-centred services they have come to expect from Carers ACT since 2006. The services include the new Isaacs Respite Cottage, the transition to work Branch Out Café, independent living skills and other new innovative services.
This year carers presented with more complex needs with increased incidence of carer stress, poor mental and physical health. This evidence continues to inform most of our systemic policy work in articulating to government the importance of retaining carer-specific services and supports in the context of major reforms.
Carers ACT is keen to ensure that although we are expanding our service offerings, we retain the quality reputation we have earned over 23 years. This year we were awarded external accreditation ISO9001:2008 demonstrating our commitment to deliver proven quality services to caring families and to the funding bodies who entrust us with funding.
Thanks to the trust and confidence of the Australian Government, Carers ACT was appointed to manage the Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre in SE NSW, as of 1 July 2013. We have taken on this challenge with enthusiasm and are delighted to report that within just 12 months, we have provided support to more than 1,800 carers across the SE NSW region – with more than 1,000 carers accessing respite services for the first time. During this time Carers ACT also secured Australian Government funding to better support carers in North Canberra who are caring for a family member with mental illness. This new program has also achieved excellent results – particularly with young carers who are in complex caring situations. We have hosted numerous education and information forums in collaboration with the ACT Government and the National Disability Insurance Agency to support families’ transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). In June 2014 we also launched a suite of NDIS-ready services branded as Branch Out Disability Services. This was to allay caring
On behalf of the Board of Directors, management and staff, we are delighted to present this report on Carers ACT’s activities and achievements over the past twelve months.
Sincerely
Richard Bialkowski Chairman
Dee McGrath CEO
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Carers ACT Board of Directors (as at 30 June 2013)
The Board of Directors brings together a wealth of skills and expertise and is responsible for the organisation’s fiduciary and legal obligations.
Richard Bialkowski – Chairman has been on the Board since 2007, Richard has extensive leadership, governance and executive-level management experience in the community sector at both ACT and national levels.
Brian Joyce – Vice Chairman and Secretary (Past Chairman) brings invaluable advice to Carers ACT on a range of management and organisational issues he has served on the Board since December 2005.
Robert (Bob) Cotton – Treasurer has extensive public sector leadership, management and diplomacy experience. A former carer, Bob has been on the Board since 2004.
Brett Walker has 30 years’ experience as a commercial lawyer and business executive in the public and private sectors. He has a special interest in respite care and has been on the Board since December 2005.
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CARERS ACT ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14
Bridget Larsen juggles being a family Carer with her role as an inhouse lawyer. She brings to the Board a sound understanding of Canberra’s community, culture and services, including services for children with a disability and their families.
Barbara Causon is a long-time carer and sits on the Expert Panel in the ACT for the National Disability Insurance Scheme. She is also a Public Service Medal recipient
Bruce Mackay has worked in marketing and advertising for over thirty years and brings invaluable communication advice to the Board.
Antony Stinziani has 25 years experience in ICT across numerous government agencies and is also a member of the AICD. He has a keen interest in carers’ issues through personal experience with family and close friends.
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Highlights 2013-14 Our ACT/SE NSW productivity at a glance: Information services:
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14,049 calls
which equates to 54 calls per day.
Referrals to community and health services:
4,708 referrals to community and health care services.
All other services:
4,811 carers of which 3,526 accessed our services for the first time.
Through Australian and ACT Government funding, we broker services to meet the various needs of caring families in the ACT and the SE NSW region. Last year we purchased services worth more than $1.5m.
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CARERS ACT ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14
Services for carers and their families Information and services Our information services helps caring families as well as community and health care service providers to understand and navigate multiple service systems. Importantly we also assist with guided referrals to that people can make the right links to the services that best meet their needs.
ACT key results
“Thank goodness for Carers ACT. As a dual carer for my elderly father and my son with a disability, I found the different service systems impossible to navigate. Nobody else could help me like Carers ACT. Thank you,” R.M.
Taking time out Time out from the caring role is critical to carers’ health and wellbeing and significantly enhances their ability to continue to provide care. Supporting carers to take time out for themselves includes options such as, in home respite, social interaction, domestic assistance, transport and personal care. Carers ACT manages 34 respite beds in 12 residential aged care facilities ranging from low to high care including dementia care. In addition we provided direct respite support including: • 4 0,000 hours at Deakin (dementia care) and at Fraser House (disability care). • W e hosted four Carer Only retreats including one for young carers providing 6,840 hours of respite to 135 carers.
ACT (multiple services)
3,737
No. of carers supported
26,686
No. of respite hours provided
$1.04m
Value of respite services brokered
10,868
No. of information calls supported
13,839
Hours of education and social support
No. of counselling hours 4,039 to 2,257 individuals and sessions
143
family
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Feedback from those who attended the Carers Gathering The annual Carers Gathering at Murramarang Beachfront Nature Resort provided relaxation and social opportunities for another appreciative group this year. Participant feedback reflected:
74%
felt more able to cope with their situation
95% felt more refreshed and relaxed
85%
would like to participate in future social activities, and
65%
felt better able to cope with stress
78%
felt more positive about continuing in their caring role
85%
had an opportunity to reduce their stress by attending the Gathering.
Some carers’ feedback forms noted: “Taking time off from caring is extremely important. The previous six years has worn me out. Having a hobby is important to direct attention from stressful situations and having the opportunity to share my personal experiences with others is really important. Having Carers ACT on our side offers us more hope. A holiday on the south coast is a really effective and economic way to reduce carers’ stress.” “Meeting and talking with other carers is very helpful to help me cope. I feel better equipped to face challenges in my situation, while the love and understanding from other carers has made me feel I can cope with anything. I think the staff at Carers are wonderful people and commit themselves wholly to their work in supporting Carers ACT.” This year we also commenced a new service for carers of people with mental illness who live in North Canberra. With funding from the Department of Social Services we were able to deliver highly innovative services to more than 140 caring families in the ACT. These included: • Case management for young carers. This year we delivered intensive case support for 31 young carers in complex caring roles, helping them balance their caring responsibilities with their education and other activities; • A new support group for mental health carers in North Canberra; • Hosting four networking forums for carers to enable access to peer support and information relevant to their caring roles; • Hosting three special retreats for 55 carers. One of these retreats was for 15 young carers who travelled to Sydney for a day at Taronga Park Zoo. This provided valuable peer support for this vulnerable group; and • This initiative also enabled 64 carers to access specialist counselling support.
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CARERS ACT ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14
Talking it over Talking with a professional counsellor can resolve carer concerns, build resilience and coping skills. This year we introduced new methods to support carers through: Mindfulness, Sandplay and Art Therapy. We improved accessibility of counselling services in Canberra’s south at Woden and had an increase in our telephone counselling services. In the ACT there are currently eight carer support groups, which delivered 151 sessions and 649 hours of structured support.
• We delivered six sessions of the popular On Course for Carers workshops – topics included advanced care planning, nutritional advice, how to develop a healing garden and more. • We introduced a very popular new initiative called Wellness Days, which covered the social, educational, emotional and physical needs of carers. Two sessions meant 101 carers could participate. • In collaboration with Alzheimer’s ACT we held three workshops for 59 carers of family members with dementia.
Workshops and learning
Carers ACT delivered educational workshops for a diverse range of carers and caring situations including: • K eeping Families Connected – a psychoeducational program for carers providing care to family members with mental illness. Three programs were delivered this year including a specially designed program for Vietnamese carers.
“On the Wellness Day for carers they undertook health checks and found some issue with my wife’s eye. We visited a specialist and identified the issue before it became a real problem. This Wellbeing day was a really good opportunity for all carers. A big thank you to Carers ACT.”
• Boosting self-esteem and assertiveness for women caring for children with disabilities was a session delivered in partnership with Disability ACT, the Women’s Information and Referral Centre and Carers ACT.
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Southern Highlands Aged Care Planning Region NSW
Mid North Coast Orana Far West
Orana Far West
Hunter
Central Coast
Central West
Nepean
Western Sydney
Northern Sydney Inner West South East Sydney Young (A)
South West Sydney
Boorowa (A) Upper Lachlan (A)
Harden (A)
Riverina/Murray
Goulburn Mulwaree (A) Bal
Yass Valley (A)
Illawarra
Palerang (A) - Pt A
Palerang (A) - Pt B
ACT Cooma-Monaro (A)Eurobodalla (A)
Snowy River (A)
Southern Highlands
Hume
Bega Valley (A) Bombala (A)
Gippsland Eastern Metro
Southern Metro
SE NSW key results Northern
Northern
Centres Aged Care Planning Regions and respite services only) SEUrbanNSW (information M a p p r o d uc e d b y t h e G I S Te am , I n f o r m at i o n , S t r a t e g y a n d D e v e l o p m e n t S e c t i on , Bu d g e t , F i n a n c e a n d I n f o r m at i o n B r a n c h, A ge i ng an d Ag e d C ar e D i v i s i o n . © C o m m o n w e a l t h o f Au s t r a l i a 2 0 11
1,800
27,137
No. of carers supported (1,074 were first time service users)
No. of respite hours provided
In July 2013, Carers ACT commenced delivery of the Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre in the Southern Highlands region of SE NSW. This also includes specialist respite services for young carers, carers caring for someone with a mental illness and respite for carers of people with severe and profound disabilities. In our first 12 months we learned a lot about the challenges for people living across the region. We organised or participated in 150 network and promotional events including 11 information and support “Mingles” for carers in the following towns: Goulburn, Yass, Young/ Boorowa/Bombala, Cooma, Jindabyne, Bega, Moruya, Bateman’s Bay and Queanbeyan. This program of activities has given the Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre significantly increased visibility with 1,000 new caring families accessing this service for the first time. Carers ACT manages six respite beds in four residential aged care facilities across SE NSW, ranging from low to high care, including dementia care.
Social connections for carers
$528k Value of respite services brokered
4,613
86
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No. of information calls supported
Although caring is rewarding it can also be socially isolating for many carers. Through Home and Community Care funding, Carers ACT provides a range of initiatives to facilitate social connectivity for carers. This year we provided 13,839 hours of social support for carers. • 11 culturally and linguistically diverse carers’ groups met monthly and once as a whole group • The CALD Winter Celebration involved 186 carers, and
No. of Young carers supported
CARERS ACT ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14
• 112 carers attended two Seasonal Lunch Get Togethers during the year.
Advocacy for carers
Other new Branch Out services also include:
Carers ACT’s Carer Advocacy Service supported 41 individual carers and their families to resolve complex issues such as:
• After school club based at the Woden School
• Communication problems with the Acute Mental Health and Aged Care services
• F riendship Club (weekends away and other community based activities)
• Lack of accommodation options for young people with disabilities
In the last twelve months we have supported 18 individuals in our training to work initiative – Branch Out Café. We were pleased to see seven people successfully transition into open or supported employment or go on to undertake further training or study elsewhere.
• Guardianship • Carer-related leave with employers • Complaints regarding aged care facilities • Inappropriate/early discharge from hospitals, and • Poor case management in disability and mental services.
Branch Out Disability Services
• I Love Cooking Club • School Holiday Program
Carers ACT’s goal-orientated Daily Living Skills Program, delivered at Fraser House, supported 32 participants with 19 achieving their goals and the remainder making excellent progress against their goals. Skills developed included: understanding money and how to use it, improving personal hygiene, preparing simple meals and social skills. Branch Out Café won the ACT Chief Minister’s Inclusion Award (Tourism and Hospitality) and a second award for the Branch Out Café – ACT Community Services Directorate, Disability Support Worker Awards for outstanding team. Carers ACT also won the ACTCOSS RSM Bird Cameron Embracing Change award. We received this award for our Branch Out Disability Services program and were recognised as an organisation that has seen the need to change aspects of our service delivery and is walking the walk on the way to change.
Carers ACT has been delivering services to people with a disability in the ACT since 2006. In readiness for the NDIS we held numerous workshops with carers who helped us design a suite of services including existing and new programs. In June we formally launched Branch Out Disability Services and its suite of NDIS ready services including the new Isaacs Respite Cottage for 24/7 home away from home experience for individuals with disability.
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Raising awareness and reaching new carers Engaging with community and media
Caring issues
A key function of our role is to raise awareness of caring issues in the community so that carers are better recognised, valued and supported. We undertook a range of planned activities that helped us reach 3,526 new carers who connected with our services for the first time. This is a significant increase of 45.5% compared to the previous year.
In the course of providing emotional support and gathering information from carers to support our systemic advocacy work, carers reported experiencing the following issues in their caring roles and some of the steps we have taken to address these concerns:
Some of the key initiatives that helped secure this result included: • Carers Week: Around 30 carers from the ACT participated in Carers Australia’s national launch of Carers Week at the National Press Club with Prime Minister The Hon. Tony Abbott and Minister Mitch Fifield. 100 carers from ACT and the region joined our Carers Week celebration at the National Gallery of Australia hosted by NGA Director – Ron Radford. • Promotion: We distributed 19,000 information sheets/fliers at community events such as Seniors Week, Multicultural Festival, Royal Canberra Show and more. We hosted 11 Carer Mingles throughout SE NSW. • Media: Key media activities included the ActewAGL Staff Volunteer make over of Deakin Dementia Cottage, the launch of Branch Out Disability Services and the Mental Health Carer Connection Program, the start of the ACT NDIS Launch site and ACT and National Carers Week events. Several carers participated in these media events and told their caring story. The value of free media coverage in 2013-14 is valued at approximately $260,000.
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CARERS ACT ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14
• T he National Disability Insurance Scheme: Many carers have presented distressed and unsure about what the NDIS launch in Canberra will mean for both themselves and their care recipients. Carers have reported attending a number of information sessions, however, until their eligibility and requirements are confirmed by the National Disability Insurance Agency, there was still uncertainty about the future. rom July 2014, Carers ACT will be funded F to deliver a new Connected Carers program featuring NDIS Pathways and Care Wellbeing workshops to work closely with families and support them through this major reform. • Financial: The release of the federal budget provoked some distress for carers and uncertainty about employment for those who are working carers, especially in the public service. Other carers receiving Centrelink assistance reported that they were worried about how they will manage in the future with pension cuts. Financial worries for most carers are a constant reminder of the extra pressure carers face and their powerlessness to change their situation. • Negative carer health: Carers struggling with their own health issues or deteriorating health is a reoccurring issue reported by carers accessing counselling. Carers’ health suffers as a result of caring; the lack of time and energy to take care of their own physical and mental health results in poor health. Many carers are extremely concerned about the future of their care recipient, if their own health were to deteriorate so much that they are no longer able to care for them.
arers in this situation often say they fear their C illness/death only because of their concerns for the welfare of the person they care for, after they are gone. arers ACT has responded to this by running C two Carer Health Check workshops. • Mental health carers: Carers experiencing violent threats and domestic violence as a result of caring for someone with a mental health or drug/alcohol issue are common and ongoing issues. Carers who are struggling with supporting those who self-harm and have attempted suicide is also a recurring theme. The ongoing frustrations of carers of a person with a mental illness, the lack of support and services for people who are unwell and refuse treatment, the distress for families who desperately want their care recipient to receive help and treatment are concerns that continue to affect carers. • Grief and loss: Working through grief and loss has been another increasing issue among carers. Carers who are recently bereaved often find their grief intensifies as the months go by. Initially families provide support and comfort; then the reality of the loss increases and their need for support becomes more important. For many, the person they care for has been at the centre of everything they do, from the time they get up to the time they go to bed. Many have been in the caring role so long that they have developed a strong identity as a carer and when their care recipient either moves into residential care or passes away, the carer is not only dealing with the grief and loss of a loved one but also with the loss of identity. • Guilt: Guilt is another recurring theme brought up by carers. Some struggle with accepting the fact that their child’s disability/mental health issue is not their fault, while others feel guilty that they ‘cannot do enough’ or should be doing more.
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• Relationships: There has been an increase in the number of carers accessing counselling during this year due to complications with personal relationships as a result of the caring role. Carers are often under an immense amount of stress, which puts pressure on relationships. Many carers are also caring for their partner, which can bring about complicated and mixed roles and emotions for both parties. The struggle to maintain a romantic relationship while also being a carer is a recurring theme. • Lack of assisted care: Families struggling with long-term caring for an adult child is another issue. The exhaustion and fatigue that carers face often leave carers feeling they can’t keep going; yet there’s not often a long-term solution due to the lack of ongoing longerterm options for young adults with high needs. • Housing: Stresses surrounding appropriate accommodation options are a constant and ongoing issue for a lot of carers and their families as they face long waiting periods for Government housing and even longer waiting times for people with a disability to be granted a Government house with a package of funded care. There are difficulties for carers who are waiting for housing for their adult children with a disability who also need the assistance of Disability ACT. • Complex situations: Clients struggling with multiple carer roles and complex family situations continue to be a fairly constant theme. • General wellbeing: Carers who are feeling overwhelmed, fatigued, and experiencing low self esteem and suicidal thoughts are also regular monthly issues.
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CARERS ACT ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14
“Thank you for enabling me to have the most restful break I have ever had, and also providing wonderful support for my mother whilst I was away” Sheila Perryman
Campaigning for carers Carers ACT uses an evidence-based approach to campaign for the issues that concern carers. Carers work alongside us and are actively involved in informing our policy submissions and making representations to Government at all levels about systemic issues and recommending solutions that improve the quality of life for carers. 2013-14 Carers ACT Submissions
Topic
ACT Health Directorate
Response to the Draft Secure Mental Health Unit Model of Care Response to Draft Hospital Experience Questionnaire Submission to ACT Government’s Service Delivery Plan for the University of Canberra Public Hospital Response to ACT Health Directorate’s guidelines for secretariats working with consumers and carers Response regarding coronial process in ACT Government 2014-2015 Budget Consultation
ACT Treasury
Carers ACT Budget Submission 2014-15 Response to ACT Budget MyHome in Canberra ACT and Australian Government Budget submission
ACT Community Services Directorate
Response to the ACT Community Services Directorate Community Consultation What is important for children and young people in Canberra? Response to the Community Services Directorate Discussion Paper: Towards One Human Services System with you at the centre
National Disability Services
Response to NDS Policy Paper: The place for block funding in a NDIS (National)
ACT Law Reform Advisory Council
Response to the Review of the Discrimination Act 1991 (ACT)
National Report – “Obsessive Hope Two chapters: Disorder” (Mendoza et al) The journey of mental health caring, by Dee McGrath and Doris Kordes; and The dismantling of institutional care: the ‘Richmond Report’, by Doris Kordes
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Carers Australia 2013-14 Carers Australia Report
Culturally and linguistically diverse carers in Australia: background report
Australian Government National Commission of Audit
Carers Australia submission to the National Commission of Audit
Australian Government Department of Finance
Unpaid Carers: The necessary investment
Senate Select Committee into the Abbott Government’s Commission of Audit
Carers Australia submission to the National Commission of Audit
National Disability Insurance Agency
Response to the Draft National Disability Insurance Scheme Strategic Plan 2013-2016
Australian Government Department of Social Services
Response to the National Disability Strategy Consultation: Carer views and insights
Australian Government Department of Social Services
Submission on the Fees and Payments Principles 2014 (No. 2) under section 96 (1) of the Aged Care Act the quality and delivery of care in Australia
Australian Government Department of Social Services
Submission on the User Rights Principles 2014 Exposure Draft
Discussion Paper
Dying at home: Preferences and the role of unpaid carers
Australian Government Department of Social Services
Response to Key Directions for the Commonwealth Home Support Program Discussion Paper
Federal Budget Submission 2014-2015
Conference or forum presentations Carers ACT staff and carer representatives spoke at many conferences, forums and functions on the issues impacting carers. Events included:
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Forum
Topic
The MHS National Conference
Recovery for carers (Kordes,Telford, Milford)
Mental Health Community Coalition ACT
Changing the Services Landscape
National CALD Ways Forum
Supporting CALD carers
Noetic NDIS Roundtable Forum
Change for NFPs and Government
ACT Multicultural Mental Health Network
Caring for a person with mental illness
ACT Medicare Local: Partners in Recovery – Training for Support Facilitators
Supporting carers and referral pathways
CARERS ACT ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14
Committees and representation The management and staff at Carers ACT are frequently invited to sit on ACT and national committees and sector development forums. The following examples indicate the breadth of representation undertaken in the last twelve months: Australian Government •F ederal Ministerial Dementia Advisory Group (until September 2013) •A ged Care Standards and Accreditation (Agency Liaison Group) •A ged Care Assessment Program Advisory Committee •A ustralian National Young Carer Action Team (ANYCAT) •C entrelink’s Carers Service Delivery Reference Group •C arers Australia National Policy Working Group Meetings. ACT Committee & Sector Development Forums •N ational Disability Insurance Scheme – ACT Expert Panel •N ational Disability Insurance Scheme – Innovative Housing Forum • National Disability Insurance Scheme – Therapy Services Forum
”We are so grateful to you and your organisation, the Just Better Care staff and of course Breakaway Camp. You all do a marvellous job.” Judith Benson
• ACT Medicare Local Advisory Member • ACT Medicare Local Health Alliance •A CT Medicare Local – Partners in Recovery Strategy Group •A CT Medicare Local – Primary Health Care Consultation ‘Towards One Human Services System with you at the centre’ •A CT Combined Respite and Packaged Care Network Meeting • ACT Multicultural Forum Information Exchange • ACT Office for Ageing Older Persons Forum • Aged Care Assessment Advisory Committee •A CT Community Services Directorate Quarterly Community Forums
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• Diversity Health Network ACT • Community Sector Leadership Group •E lder Abuse Advisory Committee (ACT Health Directorate) •H ome and Community Care/Disability Services Working Group •A CT Health Consumer and Carer Participation Framework Working Group •A CT Health Transcultural Mental Health Working Group
Carers of people with a mental illness have different needs to other carers because of the episodic nature of some mental illness, or the impact of enduring mental disability. As the peak body for mental health carers in the ACT, we facilitate policy development. Information and networking forums
• NDS ACT Housing Subgroup
This year we held numerous information and consultation forums including:
•W omen and Mental Health Working Group, Women’s Centre for Health Matters
•A boriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health carers
• MyHome Canberra Board Member
• Suicide Prevention
•M ental Health Community Coalition – Quarterly Community Forums
• Understanding Carers Rights
•M ental Health Community Coalition – Consumer and Carer Caucus
• Meet your Carer Representatives Networking
•M ental Health Community Coalition – Consumer & Carer Engagement Project •M ental Health Community Coalition – Conference Committee • Mental Health Community Forum • ACT Mental Health Week Committee •A CACIA Mental Health Consumer and Carer Research Unit Advisory Group, ANU National Institute for Mental Health Research • MuMaMee (Multicultural service providers) • Palliative Care Steering Committee •U niversity of Canberra Public (Rehabilitation) Hospital – Consumer and Carer Catch-Up Meetings •U niversity of Canberra Public (Rehabilitation) Hospital – Expert Reference Group.
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Mental Health Carers Voice Program
CARERS ACT ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14
• Mental Health Policy Development • Carer Burnout Prevention •A lcohol and Other Drugs – co-hosted with the Mental Health Consumer Network • MH Assessment Unit, Canberra Hospital. Postoccupancy evaluation and co-hosted with the Mental Health Consumer Network •M IEACT Do NO Harm training for Carer representatives. Do NO Harm principles have been incorporated into all Carers ACT communication activities, and supported through a Memorandum of Understanding between Carers ACT and MIEACT. Communication 17 e-Bulletins were distributed this year to a growing number of subscribers. Carers ACT secured regular speaking spots on Radio 2XX Opening Minds show, encouraging and supporting many carers to tell their story.
Carer representation In additional to two training workshops, we also introduced bi-monthly forums for mental health Carer representatives to discuss current issues. Carers ACT supports 24 carer representatives on 29 committees as follows: ACT Health Directorate •E xecutive Strategy and Business Planning Committee • Collaborative Engagement Forum •P olicy and Standard Operating Procedures Development and Review Committee • Publications Advisory Committee • I nformation Management and Information Technology •M HAGIC (Mental Health Assessment Generation Information Collection) Advisory Committee • Electronic Clinical Record Steering Committee • Safety and Quality
• Risk Management – Natalie Malcolmson • Expert Reference Group, Secure Mental Health Unit. ACT Housing • Housing and Accommodation Services Initiative/Housing and Recovery Initiative (HASI/HARI) Committee. Community Sector • Transition to Recovery Consumer and Carer Advisory Group • Women and Mental Health Working Group, Women’s Centre for Health Matters • ACT Mental Health Week Committee. Research Advisory Groups • ACT Mental Health Consumer and Carer Research Unit, Centre for Mental Health Research, Australian National University
• Seclusion and Restraint Review
• Advisory Group for Research Project on Suicide in ACT, ACT Health Directorate.
•C hild and Adolescent Mental Health Services Model of Care Steering Committee
National Forum
•C ommunity Smoke Free Environment Working Group
• National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum.
•S moke-Free Monitor and Review Working Group • Reducing Aggression Steering Committee •M ental Health Services Plan – Strategic Oversight Group •M ental Health Services Plan – Executive Strategic Oversight Group • Transcultural Mental Health Advisory Group •S uicide Prevention Implementation and Evaluation Working Group •P romotion, Prevention, Early Intervention Implementation and Evaluation Working Group •A dult Mental Health Unit, Clinical Effectiveness Committee • NDIS Implementation Steering Group
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Managing our resources Our people We redesigned the Carers ACT Capability Map, which is a useful tool for providing consistency of expectations, staff management and development in the organisation. The map is the basis upon which to strengthen the capability of the organisation by building the capability of its people.
Governance
We also invested in our people’s professional development and held 21 training programs including accidental counselling, Aboriginal cultural training, leadership development, change management and mandatory training such as food handling, medications, fire and safety. We also customised our orientation program eLearning module.
Quality Quality and continuous improvement is important to us at Carers ACT, We must meet and comply with multiple legislation and regulatory frameworks as part of being a quality service provider. This year we were successful in gaining external accreditation against ISO9001:2008. Eleven staff have also been trained in internal auditing. Our internal audit processes ensure every area of our organisation is constantly being reviewed and improved.
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CARERS ACT ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14
As Carers ACT is now funded by the Australian Government to deliver services in NSW as well as the ACT, we must now comply with Federal, ACT and NSW laws and regulations. In consultation with carers, staff and other stakeholders, a new constitution has been drawn up to align with the Corporations Act 2001. Members of Carers ACT voted at a special meeting to transition Carers ACT from an incorporated association to a company limited by guarantee. The new constitution is located on our website.
Information and communication technology Technology is critical in contemporary businesses such as Carers ACT in ensuring our systems are robust and can help us make good business decisions in delivering quality services to caring families. This year we finalised the development of communication, collaboration and reporting platform called CarePoint which has greatly improved internal communication. Moreover, our internal audit report shows that this project has helped us reduce significant costs including $185,000 per annum plus an estimated $210,000 in indirect costs per annum.
“Thank you so much for your help, we feel a huge relief” Janet Johnson 25
The success of this initiative is being shared with Carers Tasmania and Carers SA who are leveraging this excellent business tool technology and joined us on a cost sharing basis. Transparency, relevance and reliability of our information system materially increases our contract compliance as well as information support for our decision making processes and, most importantly, enables us to respond more effectively to delivering quality services to caring families.
Financial resources The following pages outline the consolidated audit report detailing funding received and how it was invested in delivering services to carers and the people they care for. A detailed audit report is available on our website, under publications or in hard copy by request. Carers ACT receives most of its funding from the Commonwealth and ACT Governments to deliver programs targeting specific carer demographics.
“Can I please say how much Carers ACT really helped when we went through a very difficult situation a few weeks ago – the support and advice that was offered was amazing and I am very grateful for all the help” Stella Nasg
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CARERS ACT ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14
The following graph shows a convenient summary of the sources of our income in 201314. ‘Other sources’ includes contributions by Shaw Building Group, bank interest, corporate donations and membership donations.
Where our funding comes from:
How our funding is invested:
27
Consolidated audit
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CARERS ACT ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14
Consolidated audit (cont)
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Consolidated audit (cont) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 30 JUNE 2014
CURRENT ASSETS Cash assets Other current assets
Notes 2 3
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS NON CURRENT ASSETS Property, plant and equipment
4
TOTAL NON CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS CURRENT LIABILITIES Payables Provisions
5 6(a)
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES NON CURRENT LIABILITIES Provisions
6(b)
TOTAL NON CURRENT LIABILITIES TOTAL LIABILITIES NET ASSETS EQUITY Accumulated surplus
30
7
CARERS ACT ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14
2014 $
2013 $
2,898,163 215,580
2,743,177 99,886
3,113,743
2,843,063
97,152
-
97,152
-
3,210,895
2,843,063
1,129,303 1,156,999
1,209,740 769,389
2,286,302
1,979,128
67,539
55,576
67,539
55,576
2,353,840
2,034,704
857,055
808,359
857,055 857,055
808,359 808,359
Consolidated audit (cont) STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2014 Notes Revenues from Operating Activities:
Grant Income and ERO Unexpended grant rollover Association income Interest income Member contribution and donation User/Client Service Fee Subsidised income Innovation income Other income Total Revenue from operating activities
8
Expenses from Operating Activities: Brokerage Expenses Employee expense Membership fees FBT expense Program running costs
Donation Consultancy fees Bank charges and fees Audit and accounting fees Legal fees Advertising, Brochures and Newsletters Rent Insurance Other expenses Total Expense from operating activities Profit/ (Loss)
9
$ 7,819,092 301,766 484,842 118,576 89,364 129,907 4,500 113,845 124,839
2014 $
9,186,731
$ 6,139,893 56,062 301,909 118,449 39,686 38,621 6,000 11,818 100,169
1,568,776 5,297,113 10,627 7,049 303,727
854,551 4,212,085 12,752 9,614 231,770
39,709 176,106 3,444 12,480 17,391 60,823
24,281 9,070 2,847 11,450 1,502 19,636
263,858 40,913 1,336,019
233,723 35,354 1,128,305
9,138,035 48,696
2013 $
6,812,608
6,786,940 25,668
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Consolidated audit (cont) NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2014 Notes NOTE 8: Revenue from operating activities Association Association Innovation A.T.S.I.H Program Better Start for Children Program Brach Out Cafe Carers Advisory Carers Advocacy Program Carers Respite Centre Commonwealth Carelink Commonwealth HACC Consumer Directed Respite Care Cottage Dementia Training Employed Carers Program FAHCSIA Mental Health Program Family and Community Services Flexible Family Support G. E Shaw Fund raising Gungahlin Mental Health Program HACC HACC – One off funding Mature Carers Mental Health Outreach Mental Health Representation Mental Health Respite National Carers Counselling Non-Recurring Programs Respite Links Southern Highlands Commonwealth Carelink Southern Highlands Commonwealth Respite Centre Southern Highlands Consumer Directed Respite Care Southern Highlands FAC Southern Highlands Mental Health FAC Southern Highlands Young Carers FAC Young Carers Information Program Young Carers Program
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45
Total Revenues from Operating Activities
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CARERS ACT ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14
2014 $
2013 $
690,809 113,845 56,617 138,885 242,808 255,401 113,899 1,157,511 201,764 274,817 62,019 828,875 21,433 320,567 20,769 172,119 204,799 84,436 503,199 228,001 975,789 137,045 245,753 175,729 191,270 92,260 226,909 844,483 43,436 129,690 202,387 77,451 33,791 118,165 9,186,731
526,201 57,769 198,837 156,014 250,285 110,817 1,067,129 305,551 269,846 62,000 749,108 21,130 315,523 23,911 167,703 199,147 52,662 14,098 221,956 60,000 951,305 133,183 239,404 165,795 185,063 40,000 88,370 31,750 32,187 115,864 6,812,607
Consolidated audit (cont) NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2014 Notes NOTE 9: Expenditure from Operating Activities: Association Association Innovation A.T.S.I.H Program Better Start for Children Program Branch Out Cafe Carers Advisory Carers Advocacy Program Carers Respite Centre Commonwealth Carelink Commonwealth HACC Consumer Directed Respite Care Cottage Dementia Training Employed Carers Program FAHCSIA Mental Health Program Family and Community Services Flexible Family Support G. E Shaw Fund raising Gungahlin Mental Health Program HACC HACC – One off funding Mature Carers Mental Health Outreach Mental Health Representation Mental Health Respite National Carers Counselling Non-Recurring Programs Respite Links Southern Highlands Commonwealth Carelink Southern Highlands Commonwealth Respite Centre Southern Highlands Consumer Directed Respite Care Southern Highlands FAC Southern Highlands Mental Health FAC Southern Highlands Young Carers FAC Young Carers Information Program Young Carers Program Total Expenditure from Operating Activities
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45
2014 $
2013 $
670,566 108,738 56,714 138,885 201,960 255,401 114,405 1,157,586 201,764 274,817 62,029 828,991 21,433 320,576 20,769 172,168 203,687 84,436 503,211 230,785 986,306 137,069 247,248 175,755 191,270 92,260 226,913 846,432 43,436 130,298 202,497 77,462 33,791 118,377 9,138,035
506,081 57,868 198,837 146,062 250,285 110,817 1,067,149 305,660 269,617 61,854 751,230 21,202 317,493 23,911 167,703 200,599 52,662 14,098 222,213 59,650 951,305 133,079 239,404 165,795 185,063 40,000 87,501 31,750 32,187 115,864 6,786,938
33
Consolidated audit (cont)
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CARERS ACT ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14
Consolidated audit (cont)
35
Thank you to sponsors and supporters Carers ACT would like to acknowledge and thank the Australian and ACT Governments and other strategic partners for their continued support and funding to help us realise our mission and purpose. Australian Government
Department of Social Services
Department of Health ACT Government
ACT Health Directorate
Community Services Directorate Mental Health, Justice Health, Drug and Alcohol Services ACT Health Directorate Carers Australia Alzheimer’s Australia ACT Shaw Building Group has supported Carers ACT since 2005 by organising an annual fundraising event supported by dozens of organisations across the ACT. We would like to thank Valdis Luks and his team for his generous support and the measurable difference the Shaw Building Group makes to hundreds of caring families across the ACT. • Australian Federal Police • King and Wood Mallesons • Country Womens Association • Ernst and Young • Align for sponsoring mentoring services
Thank you to the following shared service centre partners: • MS ACT (The Cottage in Deakin) • The Smith Family (Our Service Centre in Woden) • Centrelink at Bateman’s Bay (our Southern Highlands access point) A BIG THANK YOU to the many carers who generously donated their time in supporting our work as Carer Representatives, speaking to the media about individual lived experiences as carers, participating in focus groups and policy development forums, providing input to our strategic and business plans and responding to surveys and giving us feedback.
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CARERS ACT ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14
Carers ACT contacts
Information about our programs, events, publications and other activities can be found on our website: www.carersact.org.au. Carer Advisory Service (information, referral, advocacy, problem solving, counselling appointments) 1 800 242 636* Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre ACT and S.E. NSW (information, referral, short term and emergency respite, residential respite bookings)
The Cottage in Deakin 6285 2082 117 Denison Street, Deakin ACT 2600. Branch Out Disability Services 1 800 BRANCH (27 26 24) Email: branchout@carersact.org.au www.branchout.org.au
1800 052 222* Carer Service Centre – Holt 6296 9900 (Monday to Friday) 80 Beaurepaire Crescent, Holt.
Isaacs Respite Cottage 6286 8407 28 Rowntree Crescent Isaacs ACT 2607.
Carer Service Centre - Woden 6282 0287 (Monday to Friday) C/o The Smith Family, Corner Launceston and Easty Streets, Woden. *An Australian Government Initiative. Free local call. Mobile phones charged at mobile rates.
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Staffing as at 30 June 2014 Board of Directors
Chief Executive Officer (1)
EA - CEO (1) Carer Services Executive Director (1)
Respite Services Manager (1)
Cottages Manager (1)
Administration Assistant (.2)
Administration Assistant (1)
ACT CRCC & Programs
CRCC SH
Fraser House
Deakin Cottage
Team Leader (1)
Team Leader SH (1)
Coordinator (1)
Respite Care
ACT
Coordinators 1.6
Respite Care
Assistants 8.2
CRCC & RCSYP
Moruya Office .6
Assistants 4.2
Coordinators (4)
Cooma Office .2
Mature Carers
Young Carers
Coordinator (1)
Carer Support Services Manager (1)
Counsellors (2.6) Nthrn MH Carer Support Coordintor (1) YC Case Manager (1)
Coordinators (1)
MHRP - ACT & SH
Employed Carers
Coordinator (1)
Coordinator (1) Flexible Family
ATSI
Coordinator (1)
Coordintor (.6)
Residential Respite Coordinator (1) Carelink Coordinator (1)
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CARERS ACT ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14
Chief Financial Officer (1)
GM - Strategy, Policy & Governance (1)
Senior Accountant (1)
Senior Policy Advisor (.8)
Finance Accountant (1)
Mental Health Policy Officer (1)
Finance Officer (1)
MH Admin (1)
Database Admin (.6) Business Analyist/BI (1)
Director of Human Resources (1)
HR Assistant (1) Front Desk Admin (1)
Individual Advocacy (1)
HACC Services Admin Officer (.4)
Community Awareness
Coordinator CALD (.6)
Educator (.4)
HAAC Coordinator (1) Staffing Statistics Carer Advisory Coordinator (1.6) Better Start Coordinator (.6)
Full Time Equivalent
60.6
Full Time Staff
39
Part Time Staff
21
Casual Staff
21
Total staff
80
Branch Out CafĂŠ Coordinator (.6) Trainer (.8) Support Worker (1)
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