Collaboration provides new accomodation for NDIS participants

Queensland-based disability provider Focused on Care has partnered with not for profit community care organisation Churches of Christ to provide new homes for NDIS clients.

Under the 10-year licencing agreement, Churches of Christ will provide 64 rooms at its Warwick aged care facility for NDIS clients in the region.  

The partnership will allow NDIS clients currently living in hospitals and residential aged care services to move into shared living accommodation with similarly-aged people.

Focused on Care Director Gavin Dunlop says the agreement is an example of an innovative and  collaborative approach to meeting an unmet need for NDIS clients in regional Queensland.

Mr Dunlop says there are currently more than 600 Queenslanders with a disability living in settings that aren’t suited to their needs because of a lack of appropriate accommodation.

Once housed, they’ll be supported by Focused on Care to build skills with a view to enabling them to live independently in the community.

“The best outcome of the partnership is we are able to support people under the age of 65 to live with peers in appropriate surrounds and a familiar environment, and for some back in the community they’re originally from,” he said.

Churches of Christ Director Seniors Living Richard de Haast says lack of demand from aged care residents means the NDIS clients will have their own section in the

Warwick facility, which opened in 2019.   

“When we built Warwick Aged Care Service, it was designed to serve the Southern Downs Region well into the future,” he said.

“While there is not currently the demand for residential aged care to fill the whole service, we are excited to be able to welcome residents who will gain so much from being there.”

Many of the lifestyle activities available to aged care residents at Warwick will be available to the Focused on Care residents, and they’ll also have access to the onsite gym.

Mr Dunlop says the close proximity of the aged care and NDIS serviced accommodation, and similarities in their support requirements, will also create efficiencies in the sharing support services, including allied health professionals.

“Through the increased need for physiotherapy, occupational therapy and other support services by our Focused on Care clients, it is hoped that the partnership will entice more professionals to the region, which will have great benefit for the whole community,”  he said.

The Focused on Care clients are expected to move into their new homes from September.

It comes as the federal government reports progress on its commitment to remove young people from the age care system.

*Main image: Gavin and Dunlop (L) and Richard de Haast

Comment on the story below. Follow Community Care Review on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn and sign up to our newsletter.