Profile —Midwest area

Consultation Document

Area profile for comment January 2013

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

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Profile—Midwest area Area profile for comment January 2013

Consultation document

The Disability Services Commission’s (DSC) vision is that all people live in welcoming communities that facilitate citizenship, friendship, mutual support and a fair go for everyone. To achieve this, Western requires a responsive disability service sector to support people with disability, their families and carers to access more opportunities in the community.

To meet this goal, the Commission in Guiding strategic documents partnership with key stakeholders is creating a Sector Development Plan. Its  Convention on the Rights of purpose is: Persons with Disability (United Nations 2006)  to provide further direction and targeted developmental  Count Me In: Disability Future opportunities across WA Directions (DSC 2009)  Delivering Community Services in  to ensure the disability services Partnership Policy (Department of sector continues to evolve to meet Premier and Cabinet 2011) the needs, goals and preferences  Disability Care and Support Reports of people with disability. (Productivity Commission 2011) Fifteen profile area documents have been  Disability Services Commission created to cover all areas across WA. Strategic Plan 2011–2015 They combine existing information to (DSC 2011) create a picture of supports and services  National Disability Agreement that make up the disability sector in each (Commonwealth of Australia 2011) area. It provides a base of information to  National Disability Strategy be validated or challenged by (Commonwealth of Australia 2009) stakeholders.

Feedback will add to our understanding of each area and how well supports and services match people’s needs. The consultation process will identify strengths and gaps in supports provided to people with disability in each area.

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Profile—Midwest area Area profile for comment January 2013

This diagram below explains how the plan will be developed:

Phase one Phase two Phase three  Describing existing  Seeking local  Planning and supports and services feedback identifying  15 profile area  Identifying strengths opportunities to consultation and gaps improve the sector documents  Developing solutions  State-wide overview to address gaps

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 [email protected]  post the template to: Disability Services Commission Sector Development Plan Feedback PO Box 441 WEST WA 6872 The template has been supplied as a helpful tool but it is not compulsory that you use it or answer every question to provide your feedback. Any general comments can be provided to the Commission via email or post using the details above, or they can be provided verbally or by attending a focus group.

To provide feedback another way you can:

 provide verbal feedback by phoning Sector Development on 9426 9309  attend a focus group that will be hosted in local areas (these will be advertised on the www.dsc.wa.gov.au web site).

The closing date for feedback will be advertised on the www.dsc.wa.gov.au web site. If you have any questions or require further assistance, please email [email protected] or phone 9426 9309.

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Profile—Midwest area Area profile for comment January 2013

Note about information and data

All efforts have been taken to ensure that the data contained in these profiles is as accurate and contemporary as possible. Specific data limitations are listed throughout the profiles and in Appendix B and users are encouraged to interpret the information with caution.

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Profile—Midwest area Area profile for comment January 2013

Location

The Midwest area profile covers about 601,904 square kilometres—almost 24 per cent of the state (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2012b). It includes 22 local government authorities (LGAs): Shire of Carnavon Shire of Shire of Upper City of Greater

The region stretches from Greenhead and Gunyidi in the south to Exmouth in the north and from Leeman in the west to the Gibson Desert in the east. Of the 22 LGAs, the Shire of Wiluna covers the largest expanse of land covering about 30 per cent of the total area (ABS 2012b). Demographics

According to the 2011 Census (ABS 2012b), there is an estimated 62,958 people living in the region and about 58 per cent reside in the City of Greater Geraldton (see Appendix A). This represents about three per cent of the West Australian population.

The age distribution across the population in the Midwest area is similar to that across —except between the ages of 19 to 35 where there are fewer people represented in this area.

According to the Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC) 2009, Small area estimates, an estimated 1,705 (3.5%) (refer to footnote 1) of the private dwelling population have a severe or profound core activity limitation (ABS 2012c) (refer to footnote 2). In reality most areas do not deviate hugely from 3.1% because the numbers are so small.

1 Figures from the SDAC are produced from samples which are then generalised to the population—the numbers are referred to as estimates and are to be used as a guide only (see Appendix B). 2 Core activities are tasks related to self-care, mobility and communication. People with severe and profound limitations sometimes or always need help and supervision with a core activity, or have difficulty understanding or being understood by family and friends (ABS 2012b) (see Appendix B). 5 │Area profile for comment January 2013 (last updated 25/03/2013)

Profile—Midwest area Area profile for comment January 2013

Population characteristics

 About 15 per cent of the population in this area was born overseas, which is significantly lower than the WA average of 31 per cent (ABS 2012b).

 Six per cent of the Midwest population speak a language other than English at home (ABS 2012b).This is significantly below the WA average of 21 per cent.

 People who identified as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander in the 2011 Census (ABS 2012b) represent almost 11 per cent of the population in the Midwest area. This is higher than the figure for all of WA, which is three per cent.

 For all LGAs in this profile area, over seven per cent of the population provided unpaid assistance to a person with disability (ABS 2012b). This is consistent with the percentage recorded for the State (ABS 2012b).

The median total household weekly incomes across the Midwest area are below the State figure ($1,415)—with weekly household incomes ranging from $671 in Cue to $1373 in Exmouth (ABS, 2012). A range of median total household incomes from across the area are outlined in the table below:

Table 2: Median total household income State-wide median total household income $1,415 Shire of Cue $671 Shire of Northampton $768 $862 Shire of Carnamah $1,007 Shire of Murchison $1,018 Shire of Sandstone $1,042 Shire of Chapman Valley $1,244 Shire of Wiluna $1,278 Shire of Exmouth $1,373

Source: ABS 2012b.

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Profile—Midwest area Area profile for comment January 2013

Table 3: Rental and housing prices Suburb LGA Median weekly Median house rent (3 b/rm) price (3 b/rm) Exmouth Shire of Exmouth $405 $470,000 City of Greater Geraldton Geraldton $330 $356,500 Shire of Mount Mount Magnet Magnet NA $48,500 Perth metropolitan N/A $385 $470,000

Source: Real Estate Institute of WA (REIWA) 2012 (refer to footnote 3).

There are many other sources of information that could be considered with this area profile document. Information about health services, local government services and education services will enhance the context in which disability sector development is considered. For example, Regional Development Australia (RDA) has developed a regional plan for the Midwest Gascoyne area. The plan can be accessed via rda.gov.au/my-rda/wa.

Tell us what you think

1. What other information would you like to add about the Midwest area that is not already contained in the profile?

People, families, supports and services

This section describes supports and services people with disability, families and carers accessed in the Midwest profile area in 2011−2012. It includes information about networks and support groups, Commission-funded and provided services and other community services available. Networks and support groups

People with disability, their families and carers often get practical and moral support from their wider family, friends, neighbours and other families of people with disability. This support is important.

Informal and structured community groups also play a valuable role in supporting and strengthening individuals and families. People and families are often involved within their

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Profile—Midwest area Area profile for comment January 2013 community in 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.

People can access information about local support groups through other community members, the Commission’s Local Area Coordination (LAC) or through information services provided by Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres (CRCC), Carers WA or local government authorities (LGAs).

A sample of groups and organisations providing support in the area includes (Support Groups Association WA 2012):

Northern Districts Community Support Group—Morawa Family Counselling Service: Family and financial counsellors available to provide support to rural individuals and families. This is a free service to the shires of Morawa, Coorow, Carnamah, Three Springs, Mingenew, Perenjori and Yalgoo. Contact: 9971 1030

WA Special Families: Is a state wide Facebook support group. It is accessed by invite-only and the people able to access it must be a parent of or someone caring for, a person with disability.

Tell us what you think

2. What other disability or community support groups are available and active in this area? 3. What other informal community support groups would the area benefit from?

People using Commission-funded and provided services This section describes people with disability and their families who live in the Midwest area and used Commission-funded and provided supports and services in 2011−2012. It reflects how the Commission defines, organises and funds services at present. It does not provide detail about how well these services are working. Local information and support for individuals and families Local Area Coordination (LAC) Many people with disability and their families access the Commission’s LAC support. LAC works at an individual and community level to support people with disability, their families and carers to participate, contribute and belong in their local communities. It assists people with disability and their families’ access supports and services designed to help them exercise

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Profile—Midwest area Area profile for comment January 2013 choices in their daily lives. This approach helps to foster independence and the development of skills and abilities that enables them to participate in their community and to pursue a good life.

LAC works directly with individuals and families to provide support that is personalised, flexible and responsive. The cornerstone of the LAC role is building and maintaining effective working relationships that help support individuals and families to pursue their goals and meet their needs. LAC provides local support to children and adults with physical, sensory, neurological, cognitive and/or intellectual disability who are under 65 at the time they first apply for support.

In 2011–2012, 305 people in the Midwest area were registered with LAC according to the Annual Client and Service Data Collection (ACDC) (Disability Services Commission 2012). Of these people:

 More than 49 per cent were aged between five and 19 (this is consistent with the high numbers of young people registered with LAC across WA).

 Most lived in Geraldton (211), followed by Carnarvon (27) and Irwin (15).

Directing supports and services—shared management Most people with an individualised funding allocation from the Commission have their support managed and provided by a prequalified disability sector organisation. Some people with Community Living or Family Living manage their funding allocation through an agreement with their LAC.

Disability service organisations are encouraged to offer shared management which enables individuals and/or families to have directive control over matters related to their supports and funding. Some people have their funding allocation transferred to them by the organisation and they manage the use of these funds and acquittal in accordance with the shared management agreement.

Where the individual and/or family elect to take on shared management, negotiation occurs between the individual and/or family and the organisation to achieve a shared agreement. This enables each party’s requirements, expectations and responsibilities to be clearly established and subsequently documented in a signed shared management agreement.

Shared management gives those people who want autonomy an opportunity to have greater control. It requires a good relationship between all parties to ensure the right balance of support is provided.

Table 4: Organisations that offered shared management in the Midwest area in 2012 Activ My Place Baptistcare Perth Home Care Services

Source: DSC 2012.

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Profile—Midwest area Area profile for comment January 2013

Supported living

Supported living describes a type of support provided to people with disability so they can live in their home and community. In WA, it is resourced through individual funding allocated by the Commission. This funding is applied for by the individual (or their family) and is allocated on the basis of priority of need, through the Combined Application Process (CAP), or allocated based on need and planning through the Community Living Program.

Increasingly, this support is provided in ways that allow people greater choice and flexibility.

In 2011−12, 49 people in the Midwest area had a Commission allocated individualised funding package and were supported in shared supported accommodation or an individualised accommodation arrangement (DSC 2012).

Shared supported accommodation In 2011−12, 17 people in the Midwest area had an individualised funding package for accommodation support and lived in one of three shared support accommodation arrangements (group homes) (DSC 2012). This represented less than one per cent of all group homes across the State. Other information of note includes:

 All people were living in Geraldton.  Activ Foundation was the sole provider of shared supported accommodation in this profile area.

Individualised community living (ICL) In the Midwest area in 2011−12, 32 people had an individualised funding package for accommodation support and utilised individual community living support and services (DSC 2012). Most of these people live in Geraldton.

Midwest Community Living Association and Perth Home Care Services are providing most of the individualised community living support in this area.

Less than five people in this area have a community living package.

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Profile—Midwest area Area profile for comment January 2013

Support to pursue meaningful occupation/lifestyle

This section describes services and supports available for people to pursue meaningful occupation and an active lifestyle. These services tend to be referred to as social participation, alternatives to employment or post-school options and recreation.

Post School Options (PSO) and Alternatives to Employment (ATE) are Commission funded programs intended to support people to pursue meaningful activities during their week. Both programs involve the application and allocation of individualised funding packages to individuals. The PSO program is for individuals of school-leaving age and allocated based on eligibility and support needs. ATE funding can be accessed by adults with disability through the Combined Application Process and is based on eligibility, support needs and priority of need.

In the Midwest area, 53 people received an ATE or PSO allocation in 2011−2012 (DSC 2012):

 More than 49 per cent were aged between 20 and 29,

 Most people lived in Geraldton (39).

 Perth Home Care Services and Activ Foundation are providing most of the ATE and PSO support in this area.

Recreation Eligible people with disability may access support to pursue recreational activities. The Commission contracts and funds organisations to provide recreation support. People contact organisations to find out about eligibility and access to services.

In 2011–2012, eight people in the Midwest area used recreation support services (DSC 2012):

 The Activ Foundation and Multiple Sclerosis Society were the only providers of recreation services in the Midwest region.

Support to families

This section describes services and supports for families when additional support is required. These supports and services aim to improve family wellbeing. In some cases, these supports and services are individually funded such as through the Family Living Initiative (FLI) or Intensive Family Support (IFS). In other cases, service organisations are funded directly (block-funded) to provide support to eligible people, such as with respite services. The FLI is a relatively new strategy to support families. It has a strong emphasis on planning. Families can apply for an individualised funding allocation based on a plan that

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Profile—Midwest area Area profile for comment January 2013 complements informal supports provided by families, carers, friends and the wider community.

When families are under stress or at risk of breakdown people with disability can apply for IFS funding through the Commission’s Combined Application Process (CAP). Funding is allocated to people who have been given the highest priority by an independent panel and is allocated specifically to the person with disability.

In the Midwest area in 2011–2012:

 12 people and their families received Intensive Family Support funding (DSC 2012).

 Most of these people lived in Geralton (10).

 Less than five have a plan and funding package through the Commissions Family Living Initiative (DSC 2012).

Breaks for families and carers

To give themselves a break, families and carers can sometimes access services from Commission-funded disability sector organisations (often called respite or family support services). The Commonwealth also funds respite services.

Respite programs are generally block-funded (direct contract and funding to organisations) with individuals and families applying for respite opportunities that are allocated based on need and vacancies.

These services can be provided in the person’s home and/or community (also known as flexible or non-residential respite) or in respite houses (also known as out-of-home or residential respite). Many organisations offer places in school holiday programs.

Access to family support services by a person and their family will vary depending on their relative need, type of respite accessed and availability of services. It is important to note Commonwealth Respite and Care Link can provide families with information about organisations that provide respite in their area. It can also fund short-term or one-off respite through Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing funding.

Local Area Coordinators can also help families have a break or access supports. 14 people received some form of family support package funded through the Commission and managed through LAC.

In 2011–2012, 91 people in the Midwest profile area accessed Commission-funded respite support through prequalified organisations (DSC 2012).

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Profile—Midwest area Area profile for comment January 2013

Support to optimise independence and wellbeing

Disability professional services

Many people with disability access professional services, including therapy, to contribute to their wellbeing, independence and positive relationships and to develop skills to participate in community life.

In regional Western Australia comprehensive professional services are provided through WA Health’s Country Health Services (WACHS). People may also pay privately for these types of services, or, in some cases, access Commonwealth funding.

Through comprehensive services, eligible individuals can access therapies (including speech and occupational therapy), physiotherapy and psychology support. Comprehensive services respond flexibly to the needs and desired outcomes of individuals and their families. Services are organised by early childhood, school age and adult intervention services. People can access disability professional services through several means, depending on eligibility, availability of services and relative need.

Targeted services are single-focused, highly specified services available State-wide and across a person’s lifespan. Services include equipment display, specialised equipment consultancy, interventions for challenging behaviours and State-wide consultancy and resource teams. These teams work with service providers to better support people with highly complex needs.

Tell us what you think

4. What difference are supports and services making?

5. How well are disability-specific supports and services complementing other community supports?

6. Can you provide details of any partnerships that are working well in this area?

7. Does the mix of services match the needs of people in this area?

8. What supports are working well in this area?

9. Are there services and supports in this area that are not achieving the best outcomes? What kind of fine-tuning is needed?

10. Are there barriers to accessing services and supports in this area? If so, what are they?

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Profile—Midwest area Area profile for comment January 2013

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 requirements. Individuals may be required to undergo formal assessments such as a job capacity assessment (by Centrelink) to determine their eligibility for support.

Australian Disability Enterprises (ADE)

ADEs (formerly Business Services) provide employment opportunities for people with disability. These are commercial enterprises funded by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) (Australian Government, FaHCSIA 2011). There is one ADE operating in the Midwest area—Activ Geraldton.

Disability Employment Services (DES)

Disability Employment Services help people with disability find and keep a job in the open labour market. DES are funded by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) (Australian Government, DEEWR 2012).

People can access one of two DES programs, depending on their assistance needs: Disability Management Services (DMS) and Employment Support Services (ESS). DMS programs provide support to job-seekers with disability, injury or health conditions who do not require long-term assistance in the workplace. ESS programs provide longer term support in the workplace to people with disability (Australian Government, DEEWR 2012).

Detailed information about DES available to people in the Midwest profile area can be found at www.deewr.gov.au/Employment/Programs/DES/Pages/About.aspx.

Tell us what you think

11. What is required to support people with disability in the area to achieve their employment aspirations?

12. What are the main three factors that assist people with disability to achieve their employment aspirations? (list in order of importance—with one being most important).

13. What are the top three barriers to people with disability achieving their employment aspirations? (list in order—with one being the greatest barrier).

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Home and Community Care Services (HACC)

The HACC program provides basic assistance to people who are aged, frail or with disability, supporting them to continue living independently (Australian Government 2010). 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 metropolitan area, individuals may 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 (Australian Government 2010). HACC is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing and WA Health. The WA Government is responsible for managing and approving HACC services. Detailed information about the number and types services provided in the Midwest profile area can be found at www.health.wa.gov.au/hacc/docs/mds/HACC_Report_2010_2011.pdf

Tell us what you think

14. What examples can you provide of Home and Community Care services working well on the ground for people with disability in this area?

Demand for supports and services

The demand for supports and services (current and future) can be challenging to accurately quantify. Demand from people wanting support and services continues to grow, as does new and responsive ways of meeting demand. This includes the use of social media to provide information and support, flexible delivery of services in the home, school or community and locally-based solutions such as those proposed through the My Way project. While demand grows, many people need less support over time as they gain confidence.

Over many years, demand has been quantified in relation to service programs such as the need for more accommodation or respite services or by considering waiting lists. The evolution of services to focus on individualised responses provides an opportunity to focus on new ways of providing more tailored support and services. The focus on more individualised self-directed supports aims to achieve increased quality and better use of limited resources. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in demand for services that allow a tailored, flexible approach. Increasingly, service organisations are shifting their focus to offer new ways of providing support and services, such as sharing management. It is expected demand for more tailored services will continue to increase.

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Profile—Midwest area Area profile for comment January 2013

Service access

The number of people accessing most service types in the Midwest area is relatively consistent with those accessing services in other areas across the state, considering service use per 1,000 head of population. In contrast to other programs, there is a lower rate of people in shared supported accommodation or group homes (.0.27) compared to WA (0.88). This is similar to other areas of regional WA. Lower rates of people are accessing intensive family support in this area (0.19) compared to across the state (0.42).

Table 5: Service coverage for Midwest and state-wide per 1,000 head of population People People People People People accessing accessing accessing accessing accessing LAC shared individ. ATE/PSO intensive supported community family accommod. living support Midwest 4.07 0.27 0.51 0.84 0.19 State-wide 3.89 0.88 0.51 1.12 0.42

Source: DSC 2012. Future demand

The data in the Midwest area highlights at least two areas of potential future demand:

 There are 98 young people between the ages of 10 and 19 registered with LAC in the Midwest area. This may impact on future demand for supports and services that effectively allow young people to achieve their employment aspirations. This may also include support to pursue a meaningful lifestyle following school. Many young people with disability across Australia are not achieving adequate further education or employment opportunities (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 2009). Local collaboration and targeted efforts may be required to improve this situation.

 Shared Management—it is expected that demand will increase for shared management. There are four organisations offering shared management in the Midwest however more may be required as demand grows.

Tell us what you think

15. 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?

16. What supports and services are likely to be in demand in this area into the future? 17. What types of supports and services needed by local people are not available now?

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Profile—Midwest area Area profile for comment January 2013

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. Sector development initiatives

A shared management resource has been developed by West Australia’s Individualised Services (WAIS) and is available online at www.waindividualisedservices.org.au. This resource will be regularly updated and WAIS have a shared management advisor available to support organisations to develop and improve practice in shared management. Potential areas for sector development

When considering the potential areas for sector development it may be useful to take the Count Me In: Disability Future Directions into account. Count Me In was developed after many consultations with people with disability, their families and carers, through these consultations 13 areas for development were identified. These include ways to support people with disability to participate and contribute in all areas of life, ensuring people have economic security, live in accessible communities, and have access to personalised supports and services (DSC 2009, 7).

An initial review of data included in this profile area suggests the following potential areas for sector development initiatives:

 Optimising employment opportunities—sector development may be required to ensure adequate career/employment preparation and planning and support opportunities are developed to help the high numbers of young people registered with LAC in this area pursue meaningful lifestyles.

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Tell us what you think 18. Can you suggest any ways to improve the effectiveness of disability supports and services in WA? If so what are they? 19. Can you identify barriers to improving the effectiveness of disability supports and services in WA? 20. If so, what are the top three barriers? (list in order—with one being the greatest barrier). 21. Can you suggest any opportunities for developing the disability sector in WA? If so, what would they be? (list in order—with one being the biggest opportunity). 22. Are there any emerging issues regarding the disability services sector or emerging issues facing people with disability, their families and carers? What do we need to take into consideration when planning in this area? 23. To what extent do service providers have the capacity to support people with disability, families and carers to share decision-making and management of their supports and services where and when needed?

General comments

24. Do you have any other feedback?

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References

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2012a, Table Builder Basic 2006, Map Builder, CData Online, accessed 13 August 2012, www.abs.gov.au/CDataOnline .

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2012b, Census of Population and Housing, Basic Community Profiles, accessed 25 July 2012, www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/censushome.nsf/home/communityprofiles?opendocument&na vpos=230 .

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2012c, Survey of Disability Ageing and Carers (SDAC) 2009, Small Area Estimates.

Australian Government, Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs 2011, Australian Disability Enterprises, accessed 21 June 2012, www.australiandisabilityenterprises.com.au/About.aspx .

Australian Government, Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations 2012, Disability Employment Services, accessed 21 June 2012, www.deewr.gov.au/Employment/Programs/DES/Pages/About.aspx .

Australian Government, Department of Health and Ageing, Home-based care 2010, accessed 21 June 2012, www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/hacc-index.htm .

Australian Government, Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport (RDA) 2012, Midwest Gascoyne: Gearing for growth, accessed 27 November 2012, www.rdamwg.com.au/_content/documents/Regional%20Plan%202010/Gearing%20for%20 Growth%20Draft%20Plan%20%5BFINAL%20-%20Low%20res%5D.pdf.

Disability Services Commission (DSC) 2009, Count Me In: Disability Future Directions. Disability Services Commission: Perth, WA, accessed 10 December 2012, www.disability.wa.gov.au .

Disability Services Commission (DSC) 2011, Annual Client and Service Data Collection (ACDC) Data Guide: Questions and Definitions. For Western Australian Service Providers 2011–2012, accessed 28 November 2012, www.disability.wa.gov.au .

Disability Services Commission (DSC) 2012, Annual Client Data Collection (ACDC) 2011–2012, Service User Data.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) 2009, Sickness, Disability and Work: keeping on track in the economic downturn–background paper. www.oecd.org/employment/employmentpoliciesanddata/42699911.pdf .

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Real Estate Institute of Western Australia 2012, Perth Suburb Profiles, Rental price for period October–December 2011 and house prices for period April 2011–April 2012, accessed 1 August 2012, reiwa.com.au/Research/Pages/Suburb-profile- results.aspx?suburb_id=121&census_code=SSC51036&geogroup_id=2627&geogroup_pare nt_id=3 .

Support Groups Association Western Australia 2012, Connect Groups, Directory Search, accessed 20 August 2012, www.connectgroups.org.au/modules/directory/search.php?search_term=&location=6126&s earch=Submit+Search .

Western Australia’s Individualised Services (WAIS) 2012, Shared Management. A guide for Support Organisations exploring Shared Management, accessed 25 November 2012, www.waindividualisedservices.org.au/assets/Uploads/SharedmanagementGuide- FINAL2.pdf .

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Profile—Midwest area Area profile for comment January 2013

Appendix A—Additional data

Table 5: Midwest population by LGA area Total: Midwest profile area 62,958 Shire of Carnamah 545 5,787 Shire of Chapman Valley 1,173 Shire of Coorow 1,066 Shire of Cue 271 Shire of Exmouth 2,393 City of Greater Geraldton 36,447 Shire of Irwin 3,567 Shire of Meekatharra 1,377 Shire of Mingenew 480 Shire of Morawa 893 Shire of Mount Magnet 643 Shire of Mullewa 715 Shire of Murchison 113 Shire of Northampton 3,193 Shire of Perenjori 903 Shire of Sandstone 106 857 Shire of Three Springs 616 Shire of Upper Gascoyne 251 Shire of Wiluna 1,158 Shire of Yalgoo 404

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2012b.

Table 6: Percentage of total state-wide population residing in the Midwest profile area

Midwest total population State-wide total population Percentage of state-wide total population

62,958 2,239,170 2.81%

Source: ABS 2012b.

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Profile—Midwest area Area profile for comment January 2013

Chart 1: Population age distribution Midwest compared to state-wide 14.00

12.00

10.00

8.00 Percentage of people 6.00

4.00

2.00

0.00

Age Ranges

Midwest population distribution(%) State-wide population distribution(%)

Source: ABS 2012b.

Table 7: General population and population with severe or profound core activity limitation under 65 years-of-age in Midwest and state-wide Area Estimated Estimated Estimated residential population with percentage of population severe or population with profound activity disability limitation Midwest profile area 48,820 1,705 3.5% State-wide 1,932,500 60,300 3.1%

Source: ABS 2012c.

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Profile—Midwest area Area profile for comment January 2013

Chart 2: Numbers of people registered with Commission’s Local Area Coordination (LAC) in the Midwest area by age range in 2011–2012

65 60 55 50 45 40 Number 35 of people 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Age ranges 0-4 5-9 10- 15- 20- 25- 30- 35- 40- 45- 50- 55- 60- 65+ 14 19 24 29 34 39 44 49 54 59 64 Midwest 12 53 53 45 28 22 14 11 18 11 17 6 10 5 totals

Source: Disability Services Commission (DSC) 2012 (refer to Appendix B).

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Profile—Midwest area Area profile for comment January 2013

Chart 3: Number of people accessing shared supported accommodation and individualised community living in the Midwest area in 2011–2012

Shared Supported Individualised Community Living 65 60 55 50 45 40 Number 35 of people 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Accommodation Shared supported Individualised community type living Midwest totals 17 32

Source: DSC 2012 (refer to Appendix B).

Table 8: Organisations used by people in the Midwest area for shared supported accommodation in 2011–2012 Organisation Number of people rounded to nearest 5 Activ Foundation Inc 20

Source: DSC 2012 (refer to Appendix B).

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Profile—Midwest area Area profile for comment January 2013

Table 9: Organisations used by people in the Midwest area for individualised community living in 2011–2012 Organisation Number of people rounded to nearest 5 Midwest Community Living Association Inc 15 Perth Home Care Services 10 Activ Foundation Inc 5 Baptistcare 5 LAC (self-managing) 5 Life Without Barriers 5 Multiple Sclerosis Society 5 My Place 5

Source: DSC 2012 (refer to Appendix B).

Table 10: Organisations used by people in the Midwest area for Alternatives to Employment (ATE) and/or Post School Options (PSO) in 2011–2012 Organisation Number of people rounded to nearest 5 Perth Home Care Services 30 Activ Foundation Inc 15 ATLAS (Access to Leisure and Sport) Inc 5 Baptistcare 5 LAC (self-managing) 5

Source: DSC 2012 (refer to Appendix B and footnote 4).

4 These services may not actually be based in this area and some people may travel out of the area to a preferred service. 25 │Area profile for comment January 2013 (last updated 25/03/2013)

Profile—Midwest area Area profile for comment January 2013

Table 11: Organisations used by people in the Midwest area for recreation in 2011–2012 Organisation Number of people rounded to nearest 5 Activ Foundation Inc 5 Multiple Sclerosis Society 5

Source: DSC 2012 (refer to Appendix B and footnote 5).

Table 12: Organisations used by people in the Midwest area for Intensive Family Support (IFS) services in 2011–2012 Organisation Number of people rounded to nearest 5 Baptistcare 5 LAC (self-managing) 5 Midwest Community Living Association Inc 5 Perth Home Care Services 5

Source: DSC 2012 (refer to Appendix B).

5 Recreation services are provided by organisations contracted directly by the Commission. People may travel out of their local area to receive this support. Access to services is directly through the organisations.

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Profile—Midwest area Area profile for comment January 2013

Table 13: Organisations used by people in the Midwest area for out-of-home (centre- based) respite in 2011–2012 Organisation Australian Red Cross (Lady Lawley Cottage) Family Support WA Midwest Community Living Association Inc Multiple Sclerosis Society

Source: DSC 2012 (refer to footnote 6).

Table 14: Organisations used by people in the Midwest area for flexible respite in 2011–2012 Organisation ATLAS (Access to Leisure and Sport) Inc Kids' Camps Inc Lifestyle Solutions (Aust) Ltd Midwest Community Living Association Inc Perth Home Care Services

Source: DSC 2012 (refer to footnote 7).

6 The respite accessed by a person and their family will vary depending on their relative need, type of respite accessed and availability of services. It is important to note Commonwealth Respite and Care Link can provide families with information about organisations that provide respite in their area and can also fund short-term or one-off respite through Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing funding. This table only reflects Commission-funded centre-based services.

7 It is important to note Commonwealth Respite and Care Link can provide families with information about organisations that provide respite in their area and can also fund short- term or one-off respite through Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing funding. This table only reflects Commission-funded flexible services.

Some people manage their family support funding (flexible respite) allocation, directly through LAC.

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Profile—Midwest area Area profile for comment January 2013

Table 15: Organisations used by people in the Midwest area for Commission-funded disability professional services (DPS) in 2011–2012 Organisation Comprehensive DPS Targeted DPS ECI SAI AI BSI Other Association for the Blind of Western

Australia (Inc)  DSC - Statewide Specialist Services   Independent Living Centre  The Centre for Cerebral Palsy 

Source: DSC 2012. Key: ECI Early childhood intervention BSI Behaviour specialist intervention Equipment and other targeted SAI School-aged intervention Other services, relationships AI Adult intervention

Table 16: Organisations providing Australian Disability Enterprise (ADE) services in or near the Midwest area Organisation Activ Geraldton

Source: Australian Government, Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) 2012.

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Profile—Midwest area Area profile for comment January 2013

Chart 4: Numbers of people accessing services per 1,000 head of population, comparing the Midwest area to state-wide in 2011–2012.

Midwest State-wide 6

5

4 Number of people per 3 1,000 head of population 2

1

0

Registered Shared Individualised ATE/PSO IFS with LAC supported community accommod. living Midwest 4.07 0.27 0.51 0.84 0.19 State-wide 3.89 0.88 0.51 1.12 0.42

Source: DSC 2012 (refer to footnote 8).

8 This chart compares the number of people with disability using various service types in the Midwest area to state-wide by using numbers of people per 1,000 head of population. LAC refers to numbers of people registered for the LAC service. Shared Supported Accommodation refers to people in group home accommodation. Other programs represent people allocated individualised funding packages receiving a service. 29 │Area profile for comment January 2013 (last updated 25/03/2013)

Profile—Midwest area Area profile for comment January 2013

Appendix B—Data quality

All efforts have been taken to ensure that the data contained in these profiles is as accurate and contemporary as possible. Specific data limitations are listed throughout the profiles and in this appendix and users are encouraged to interpret the information with caution.

Survey of Disability Ageing and Carers (SDAC) 2009, Small Area Estimates (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2012c)

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) conducted the Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC) and have released data for local government areas. These have been amalgamated into regions or profile areas for the Sector Development Plan which are based on the Commission’s Local Area Coordination (LAC) areas.

Important notes about data quality:

Figures from the SDAC are produced from samples which are then generalised to the population—the numbers are referred to as estimates and are to be used as a guide.

The small area estimates are applicable to private dwellings, with data from special dwellings excluded from the analysis. Some groups have been excluded from SDAC 2009 and have not been reflected in the small area estimates.

For the Midwest profile area it is possible that the prevalence of people in the following LGAs has been under-estimated—but as the number of people in these areas is small it is likely that any impact is minor.  Shire of Cue  Shire of Exmouth  Shire of Meekatharra  Shire of Mount Magnet  Shire of Murchison  Shire of Sandstone  Shire of Shark Bay  Shire of Upper Gascoyne  Shire of Wiluna  Shire of Yalgoo

Exclusions:

The following groups are excluded from SDAC 2009 and are therefore not reflected in the small area estimates:  remote and very remote settled areas  members of the permanent Australian defence forces  non-Australian diplomatic personnel

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Profile—Midwest area Area profile for comment January 2013

 members of non-Australian defence force personnel (and their dependants) stationed in Australia. The small area estimates are applicable to private dwellings in scope of ABS household collections. Data for the following special dwellings has therefore been excluded from the analysis:  hostels for the homeless and people with disabilities  night shelters  refuge  hotels and motels  hospitals and homes, including nursing homes and retirement villages which have a care facility onsite  religious and educational institution  institutions, including psychiatric institutions and corrective institutions  cared accommodation including residents of hospitals, nursing homes, aged care and disability hostels and other homes such as children’s homes, who had been or were expected to be living there for at least three months  prisons  boarding houses  indigenous communities  caravan parks and camping grounds.

Annual Client and Service Data Collection (ACDC) 2011–2012, Service user data (Disability Services Commission 2012)

The ACDC is the Disability Services Commission’s (DSC) system of collecting and analysing important information concerning people with disabilities and the services they use. This information is collected on an annual basis by each service provider and is reported to the Commission.

Organisations are requested to provide information about:  each of the service types they are funded to provide  all service users who received appropriate support over the financial year  the service type(s) the service user received.

For more detailed definitions about ACDC collection refer to Annual Client and Service Data Collection (ACDC) Data Guide: Questions and Definitions (disability.wa.gov.au) .

Reporting exclusions: Some service type outlets—particularly those providing advocacy or information/referral services are not requested to provide any service user details.

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Profile—Midwest area Area profile for comment January 2013

Unique count: Service use data People recorded in ACDC as using services in this area have been reported as a unique count, with multiple recordings of people against service types removed. If a person lives in two profile regions during the same year they may be counted in both locations.

Provider data Some people are reported as using services from multiple service providers within a service type. In this instance multiple records have not been removed as this occurrence could reflect personal choices in changing their provider (i.e., portability of funding).

Rounding of numbers: In this document all recordings of service use with less than five people have been rounded to five to prevent identification.

Service type definitions: The Commission-funded services reported in this document relate to specific ACDC service type classifications recorded in the ACDC. The following table outlines the various ACDC categories that fall under the service types detailed in this document:

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Profile—Midwest area Area profile for comment January 2013

Table 17: Commission-funded service types and the related ACDC reporting categories

Service type ACDC reporting categories

Alternatives to Employment and Post Alternatives to Employment (ATE) School Options Post School Options (PSO) Disability Professional Services Behaviour specialist intervention Comprehensive adult intervention Comprehensive early childhood intervention Comprehensive school aged intervention Regional and support teams Family support and respite Centre-based respite Family Living Initiative (FLI) Flexible/combination respite Host family respite Other respite Own home respite Peer support respite Respite brokerage Respite for carers Individualised community living Alternative family Attendant and personal care Community Living Initiative (CLI) In-home accommodation support Intensive Family Support Intensive Family Support (IFS) Recreation Holiday programs Recreation Shared supported accommodation Group homes or duplex Hostels Large and small residential institutions Shared care arrangements

Source: DSC 2011.

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Profile—Midwest area Area profile for comment January 2013

Tell us what you think

Below is a list of questions that appear in this document. We welcome your feedback and response. Demographics and community

1. What other information would you like to add about the Midwest area that is not already contained in the profile?

2. What other disability or community support groups are available and active in this area? 3. What other informal community support groups would the area benefit from?

Disability supports and services

4. What difference are supports and services making?

5. How well are disability-specific supports and services complementing other community supports?

6. Can you provide details of any partnerships that are working well in this area?

7. Does the mix of services match the needs of people in this area?

8. What supports are working well in this area?

9. Are there services and supports in this area that are not achieving the best outcomes? What kind of fine-tuning is needed?

10. Are there barriers to accessing services and supports in this area? If so, what are they?

Other community services

11. What is required to support people with disability in the area to achieve their employment aspirations?

12. What are the main three factors that assist people with disability to achieve their employment aspirations? (list in order of importance—with one being most important).

13. What are the top three barriers to people with disability achieving their employment aspirations? (list in order—with one being the greatest barrier).

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Profile—Midwest area Area profile for comment January 2013

14. What examples can you provide of Home and Community Care services working well on the ground for people with disability in this area?

Service demand and coverage

15. 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?

16. What supports and services are likely to be in demand in this area into the future? 17. What types of supports and services needed by local people are not available now?

Service planning

18. Can you suggest any ways to improve the effectiveness of disability supports and services in WA? If so what are they? 19. Can you identify barriers to improving the effectiveness of disability supports and services in WA? 20. If so, what are the top three barriers? (list in order—with one being the greatest barrier). 21. Can you suggest any opportunities for developing the disability sector in WA? If so, what would they be? (list in order—with one being the biggest opportunity). 22. Are there any emerging issues regarding the disability services sector or emerging issues facing people with disability, their families and carers? What do we need to take into consideration when planning in this area? 23. To what extent do service providers have the capacity to support people with disability, families and carers to share decision-making and management of their supports and services where and when needed?

General comments

24. Do you have any other feedback?

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