At the Council meeting on 14 December 2021, Council made the decision to begin the process to proactively transition out of Aged and Disability Services from 30 June 2022, or as otherwise agreed with the Commonwealth and State Governments.
This decision was made in response to Commonwealth Aged and Disability reforms, which are expected to impact the funding and regulations of a number of City of Casey services.
The Commonwealth Government reforms will see significant changes in the aged and disability sector, with a greater emphasis on client choice, a competitive market and a requirement for service providers with specialist skills as part of a holistic service.
While Council would struggle to compete with other service providers who specialise in this area, we still have a vital role to play in this space - a role that aligns with our strategic focus of enhancing access to services to support healthy and active living, planning and developing neighbourhoods to support people to be physically active in their daily lives, and supporting an inclusive, healthy and connected community.
In the lead up to the decision, Council had been reviewing its Aged and Disability Services to determine what impacts these reforms will have and how Council can best support its aged residents and those living with a disability over the coming years. Details of the review were presented in a report to the Council Meeting on 14 December; Council meetings are also livestreamed and a recording thereof made available as part of the minutes of meetings. Council's Aged and Disability staff were keep informed of the progress of the review and the future service options being considered, including the option to transition out of services, before a final decision was made. This occurred through regular updates to Community Care staff as well as a Staff Reference Group, which helped provide valuable two-way communication between staff and the review team.
The Australian Services Union was also part of this process and worked closely with Council on the review as part of the Fair Work Commission's Cooperative Workplaces Program, a new model engagement program that helps parties build cooperative working relationships by identifying shared interests and working together to solve problems, reach agreements and support change.
While the ASU raised a dispute to the Fair Work Commission in 2019 in relation to Council's review of Aged and Disability Services, the Fair Work Commission dismissed the dispute as Council is within its rights to review its services. Subsequently, as participants in the Fair Work Commission's Cooperative Workplaces Program, the ASU and City of Casey worked in partnership on the Aged and Disability review process, which was transparent, consultative and generated early engagement and input from the union as well an opportunity to influence the options being considered by Council. ASU delegates attended monthly meetings with Council since June 2021, and were abreast of all the options being considered throughout the extensive engagement process and the union has been well aware of the support that has, and continues to be, offered to staff.
There will be an impact on staff in terms of employment and Council is currently working with the Commonwealth Government on the transition of services, which will determine the timing of any changes and how staff will be impacted. As Council is a funded agency of the Commonwealth Government for its Aged services, it is up to the Commonwealth Government to determine the transition arrangements.
No changes are expected to be made to services as a result of this decision before 30 June 2022 at the earliest, in line with the current funding arrangements and contracts that are in place. Council has also committed to continue to deliver thin market services, i.e. where there are no suitable providers to ensure vulnerable community members are supported.
Staff and clients are being supported through the transition and the needs of each client will be individually considered before any change to services occurs. Once we have confirmation from the Commonwealth about the details of the transition, an extensive program of support will be provided to staff.
