Northern Carers Network

NCN steps up to meet growing demand

Lauren Lo Basso | Executive Manager

Strategic direction and governance remains a key focus at Northern Carers Network (NCN) as we work to strengthen our culture and vision, respond to client needs, and consolidate our position in the community.

Our workforce continues to demonstrate flexibility as we identify innovative ways of delivering responsive services during the COVID-19 pandemic. NCN staff put the safety and wellbeing of others at the centre of our everyday operations, conducting regular welfare checks and providing phone and online services to ensure continuity of support.

When many transitioned to working from home during state lockdowns, our support workers continued to provide essential 'in-home' supports to clients, ensuring their daily needs were met.

This year brought with it other uncertainty as the State Government continued to issue short-term contract extensions for our Carer Support programs. This saw NCN through to 30 June 2021 when the Department of Human Services (DHS) launched the new Community Connections Program (CCP).

With this came a redefined eligibility criteria which has meant a significant number of our existing carers are no longer eligible for support. We are working with them to access alternate referral pathways, including the Carer Gateway and My Aged Care, to ensure they are not disadvantaged by the changes.

There is some uncertainty and concern about the future of the reputable Carer Day Outs program, a favourite amongst the NCN community. In 2020-2021, 46 regular clients participated in a variety of excursions and events including trips to Port Adelaide, Monarto, Hahndorf and McLaren Vale.

Importantly, we have formed new sector partnerships this year. Working with the Aboriginal Sobriety Group (ASG) has been a highlight. Together, we successfully tendered for the DHS CCP Community Partner contract, which we named Deadly Connect. This program will enable NCN to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to maintain social and cultural connections.

We continue to see a growing number of referrals for clients registered with My Aged Care's Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP). This has presented an ongoing recruitment challenge as we seek to attract and sustain a steady workforce to respond to growing need. The mid-accreditation cycle NDIS Surveillance Audit saw our Direct Care Services team collect information to contribute to the suite of evidence required to monitor our compliance to the NDIS Practice Standards.

NCN maintains partnerships with Carer Support Networks SA and the NCN Advisory Board to elevate the voice of carers through collaborative and consultative processes. We continue to provide a means for advocacy and to ensure services are responsive and meaningful.

We are hopeful that the Kindred Spirits program will continue to grow as we continue to foster referral pathways with the Kaurna Plains Community Centre, Department for Education, Aboriginal Family Support Services and local area schools.

I want to acknowledge and thank our staff for their ongoing support, resilience and commitment to our clients through a year of turmoil and significant change.