Annual Report 2015 - 2016

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Report from the Chairperson

Our Vision Justice,hopeandopportunityforall.

Our Mission Toworkwithpeopleandcommunitiessothosemostinneedcanbelongandthrive.

Our Values AspartofthelifeandmissionoftheUnitingChurchinAustraliainpursuitofjustice,hopeand opportunityforall,weatUnitingCareWestwillactwith:

Empathy, Showingunderstandingforthefeelingsandcircumstancesofothers

Respect, Valuingpeople,propertyandtheenvironment

Inclusiveness, Acceptingandcelebratingdiversity

Integrity, Beingethicalandtrustworthyandupholdingprinciplesandbeliefs

Commitment, Workingtogethertowardsagreedoutcomeswithsteadfastnessandresilience

UnitingCareWest(UCW)wasestablishedbytheWASynodoftheUnitingChurchon1July2006.PreparingthisAnnualReporthasprovidedeveryoneinvolvedwithatimetoreflectonthedevelopmentandachievementsofUCWoverthatdecade.

Somethingshavestayedthesame.UCWisstillverydistinctlypartoftheUnitingChurchwithvaluableconnectionswithmembers,congregationsandthewiderchurchagencies,schools,SynodandnationalpartsoftheChurch.Asthechurchchanges,sodotheconnectionsbutthecoreidentityandpurposeisopenlyevident.

ThemissionoftheorganisationstilldistinctlyreflectstheobjectsthatweresetoutbytheUnitingChurchintheUCWconstitution.Duringtheyear,theBoard,staff,servicerecipientsandotherstakeholdersthoroughlyreviewedthemissionandstrategicdirectionsforUCWforthecomingthreeyears.

UCWstrivestoliveitsmissionofworkingwithpeopleandcommunitiessothosemostinneedcanbelongandthrive.

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Report from the ChairpersonSomethingschangedduringtheyear.DrGlendaCampbell-Evans,DeputyChairpersonoftheBoardandChairpersonoftheGovernanceCommitteeablyleadtheBoardforthefirstsixmonthsoftheyear.Duringthattime,theBoardundertooktheprocessofidentifyinganewBoardChairperson.MrPeterFitzpatrickAMwasappointedbytheGeneralCounciloftheSynodinDecemberandtookoverfromDrCampbell-EvansinFebruary2016.

TheorganisationalsodevelopeditsfirstReconciliationActionPlan.TheBoard,staffandvolunteersoftheorganisationenthusiasticallyembracedmakingbothpersonalandorganisationalcommitmentstoworktowardsreconciliationinallthatwedoandsay.

Andthefinalchange,launchedatthetenthbirthdaycelebrationswasarefreshedbrand.ThecollaborativeworkacrossallpartsoftheorganisationestablishedanewwayoftalkingaboutUCWaswellasanewlogoandassociatedidentitychanges.

• Wearecommittedtoactingjustlyaswellasadvocatingforjustice.HopeisadesiredresponseforandfromallpeopleUCWengageswith–eitherpeoplewhoaremostinneedorthosewhowanttomakeapositivedifferenceinthecommunityinwhichweliveanddobusiness.

• Connectingwithcommunityisimportantifwearetoachievethebestoutcomesforthepeopleweworkwith.ItisalsothejoiningpointbetweenUnitingChurch’sworship,witnessandservicesandourmissiontoworkwithpeopleandcommunitiessothatthosemostinneedcanbelongandthrive.

• Wearecommittedtobeinganorganisationthatleadsadvocacyforandwithvulnerablepeopleespeciallythosewhoaremostinneed.Wedothisthroughpartnershipsandsupportingservicecentres.Weendeavourtoberesponsiveandnimble,innovativeandwisestewardsoftheresourcesmadeavailabletousbysupportersandcommunities.

Inthisreportyouwillseehowourstaff,volunteersandsupportershaveworkedtodeliverthemissionofUCWthispastyear.Ithasbeenarewardingyearwithmanypeopleassistedandmanymorepeopleencouragedtosupportthosemostinneed.OurthankstotheBoardofUCWwhohaveworkeddiligentlytoensuretheorganisationhasastrongmissionandvisionwhileatthesametimeismanagedandgovernedeffectively.Finally,ourthankstotheCEOSueAshAO,theExecutiveLeadershipTeamandallthosewhohaveworkedsohardtoensurethosewhoaremostinneedbelongandthrive.

Wecommendthisreporttoyou.

PeterFitzpatrickAM GlendaCampbell-EvansChairperson DeputyChairperson

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Chris Ford

Ian JacksonChair of the Human Resources Committee 2015

Sue Ash AO Chief Executive Officer

Mark Webb

Glenda Campbell-EvansActing Chairperson of the Board from July 2015

Lisa Fini

David Thomas Chair of the Strategic Property and Asset Committee

Michael Brady

Deborah Marshall

Anton Ferreira

Peter FitzpatrickChairperson of the Board 2016

Chris Hunt Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee

UCW Board Members

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Report from the CEO

Sue Ash AO Chief Executive Officer

Ourtenthyearhasbeenanexcitingandproductiveone.OutcomesforpeopleaccessingserviceshavebeenincreasinglyselfdirectedandmeasuredandresultsfromthisworkdemonstratesthelifechangingexperiencethatworkingwithUnitingCareWest(UCW)meansforsomanypeople.

AsCEOitisoneofthegreatjoystohearsomeofthesestories:thepersonwhoentersthefinancialcounsellorsofficerindeepdespairandleaveswithhopethattheirfinancialpositioncanbemanaged;themanleavingprisonwithnowheretoliveandnowheretobelongwhofindsastartingplacetosorttheseproblemsbyvisitingtheInnerCityServiceCentreandislinkedtoarangeofservicesandoptions;andthewomanreunitedwithherchildrenafteryearsofstruggleandinvolvementwiththeChildProtectionsystem.

Changeisaconstantfactorfororganisationsaswellasindividuals.DuringSeptember,therewastimefortheCEOtotakethreeweeksawaytoreflectonthechangesthatareimpactingUCW.ThisstudywashighlyvaluableandenabledrichdiscussionsintheBoardaboutcultureandidentityofUCW;providedasimplebutusefulframeworkfortheleadershipandmanagementteamtoconsiderdirectionsforservicedeliveryandsomewhatunexpectedlyenabledUCWtoleadsomeprovocativediscussionsaboutthefutureofthenotforprofitsectorinWesternAustralia.CopiesofoneofthepapersdevelopedduringthestudyleaveisavailableontheUCWwebsite.

ThemainchangesthatUCWwillfaceinthecomingyearsarethesignificantdownturninGovernmentrevenueandtheneedtochangeservicemodels;thegrowingemphasisonenablingpeopletopurchaseservicesratherthanfundingorganisationstodeliverservicesandanincreasingnumberofpeopleinthecommunityexperiencingeconomichardship,alcoholanddrugissuesandpersonalviolence.

TheUCWStrategicPlanwasdevelopedcollaborativelywithBoard,staff,volunteers,peopleaccessingourservicesandotherstakeholdersinvolved.ThePlanwillensurethatUCWiswellpositionedtomoveforwardintothischangingenvironment.

Peoplewhosharethevaluesandmissionoftheorganisationareincreasinglyfindingaplacetomakeacontribution.InthepastfiveyearsthenumberofpeoplevolunteeringwithUCWhasincreasedfromapproximately150tomorethan600.ThisincreaserepresentsaverywelcomeadditiontoUCW’scapacitytodeliverservicesbutalsoreflectsagrowingviewinthecommunitythatpeoplewanttomakeapositivedifferencewhentheyseeotherpeopleexperiencinghardship.

OurAnnualStaffSurveythisyearreinforcedthefactthatthevastmajorityofourstaffworkwithUCWbecauseofthealignmentofthevaluesandthemissionandservicesoftheorganisation.Thismeansthatnotonlyareservicesprovidedinanenvironmentwherepeoplecare.Careaboutensuringgreatoutcomes;careaboutallpeopleincludingthosewhomaybeexcludedfromthefundedsystemandcareaboutusingtheresourcesavailablewisely.Findingnewresourcestosupportadditionalservicedeliveryhasbeenafocusinthepastyear.UCWhasbeensuccessfulinchangingtheservicefundingmixwithanexpectationthatthesechangeswillbeabletocontinueintothecomingyear.

Finally,mythankstoourpeoplewhohaveworkedsohardtodeliverservicesandcontinuetodeveloptheorganisationthroughouttheyear.MyparticularthankstotheExecutiveLeadershipTeamandtheirprofessionalapproachtoimplementingtheintroductionoftheChiefOperatingOfficerroleinApril.

UCWendedtheyearwithatenthBirthdaycelebration.AtthecelebrationwesetthesceneforthenexttenyearswiththeannouncementofanewlogoandcoloursandevenmoreimportantlyourcommitmenttoReconciliationthroughthelaunchoftheUCW’sReconcilationActionPlan.

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UCWhasbeenworkingforsometimewithayoungwomanlivingwithadisabilitywithexceptionallycomplexmedicalandbehaviouralneeds.

PriortocomingtoUCW,theyoungwomanhadspentmostofherlifeinhospitalunderthecareofDCPFS.TheFuturesteamhasbeenabletoprovideconsistencyofcareandsupport,andthishashadhugebenefitsforthisvulnerableyoungperson.

Sadly,hermedicalconditionhasdeterioratedandshehasspentrecentmonthsinhospital.TheFuturesstaffhavemaintainedregularcontact,andaplanisinplacetoreturnhertoUCW’scare.

Ourintentionisthatshewillcontinuetoliveintheonlyplacethat,inrecentyears,shehasidentifiedashome.

Inside Stories

Recently,amotherandherchildrengraduatedfromtheNewpinprogramaftercompletingthefulltwoyears.

WiththesupportofherNewpincommunity,themotherhasmadesignificantchangesinherlifetoensurethatherdaughtersarenowlivinginasafe

environment,awayfromdomesticviolenceanddruguse.

Shehasmadesignificantgainsinherrelationshipwithherchildren,hasagoodunderstandingoftheirneeds,andisnowabletorespondappropriately

tochallengingbehaviour.Inadditiontothis,thegirlsaredevelopingwell.

Theyoungesthasmadeimpressiveimprovementswithherspeechandlanguageskills,whilsttheolderchildis

copingwellwithschool.

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ServicesUnitingCareWestappointedKimBrooklynastheinauguralChiefOperatingOfficeratthebeginningofApril2016.

Astheorganisation’sservicesgrewandtheneedsofpeopleaccessingtheservicesbecamemorecomplex,itbecameevidentthattheorganisationshouldbestructuredinsuchawayastoensuretheneedsofthosemostinneedwereparamount.

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Service Centres Since2013,UnitingCareWest(UCW)hasbeenworkingtowardsaService Centre Strategy.TheStrategywillseethedevelopmentofsevenServiceCentresinthemetropolitanarea,andafurthertwoinregionalareas.EachServiceCentrewillhouseco-locatedservices,andprovideabaseforotherUCWservicesbeingdeliveredintheircatchmentareaaswellasbeingaplaceforthecommunitytoconnect.

TheInnerCityServiceCentre(ICSC)onAberdeenSt,EastPerth,isthelongestestablishedServiceCentre.Thisyear,theICSCunderwentaredevelopment,partiallysupportedbytheDepartmentofHealth,toprovideextracounsellingrooms,specialistmedicalroomsandamoreopenlayouttoensurepeoplewithdisabilitieswereablehaveappropriateaccesstoservices.Moreserviceshaveco-located,andtherenovationsalsopromptedamovetomorecloselyintegratetheTranbyCentre,whichprovidesservicestohomelesspeople,withthewideractivitiesoftheICSC.

In2015,theFremantleServiceCentrewasopened.ItislocatedneartheUnitingChurchFremantlecongregationandusesapurposedesignedfacilityonMarketSt,Fremantle.FacilitiessupportingvulnerablechildrenandfamiliesareaparticularfocusoftheCentrewhichincludesaplayandarttherapyspace,andanadaptablecounsellingspace.Previously,UCWhadonlyofferedfinancialcounselling,emergencyreliefandhomelessnesssupportservicesinthisarea.

ThroughtheServiceCentreStrategy,UCWisdeepeningitsunderstandingofthespecificneedsandstrengthsofeachcommunityweworkin.WearedevelopingstrongcommunitynetworksandcollaborativerelationshipswithkeystakeholdersintheServiceCentrelocations.Ourclientsbenefitfromeasieraccesstotheservicestheyneed.Co-locationofserviceshasalsoincreasedtheeasewithwhichwecanofferinternalreferralsandlinkstootherUCWservices.

TheServiceCentreStrategyisintendedtodomorethanmakeiteasierforourclientstoaccesstheservicestheyneed.EachServiceCentrealsoseekstomakedeepconnectionswithlocalUnitingChurchcongregations,localgovernments,businessesandcommunitygroups.Overtime,wewillseektobuildasensewithinourorganisation,andwithinthecommunity,thatweareallinterdependent-thatbothneedandthecapacitytomeetthatneedexistinessentiallythesameplace.

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Community Living ThisyearsawsignificantchangesintheprovisionofFinancialCounsellingservicesinWA.UnitingCareWest(UCW)wasinstrumentalindevelopingaFinancialCounsellingNetworkwithotherprovidersacrossthemetropolitanarea.NineagenciesarenowdeliveringimprovedfinancialcounsellingservicesinauniquepartnershipleadbyUCWandAnglicareWA.RelationshipswiththeFinancialCounsellingAssociationofWA,FinancialCounsellingAustralia,andtheDepartmentofLocalGovernmentandCommunitieswerealsostrengthened.Demandforfinancialcounsellingserviceshasbeenstrongthroughouttheyear.MorethanoneclienthasreportedthatfinancialcounsellingservicesprovidedbyUCWhavegiventhemhopeinasituationwheretheyhadbeenabletoseenone.

FamilyFoundationssupportsfamiliesinneedbyprovidingasafeenvironmentmostweekdayevenings.Familiescanhaveamealtogether,andaccessshowerandlaundryfacilities.Childrencanplay,completehomework,andtakepartineducationalactivities.UCWstaffofferemotionalsupport,materialassistance,informationandappropriatereferrals.Thenumberoffamiliesattendinghasremainedfairlyconsistentacrosstheyear.

Re-entryServicesprovidesarangeofspecialistservicestoindividualsreintegratingintothecommunityafterservingaprisonsentence.Theprogramunderwentconsiderablechangeandrenewalovertheyear,withtheretirementofanumberoflong-standingteammembers,andtherecruitmentofnewstaff.Theteamworkedhardtostrengthentheirrelationshipsacrossthecriminaljusticesystem,ensuringthatallstakeholdersareawareofthevariousprograms.

HousingServicescontinuestodeliversafeandsustainablehousingoutcomestopeoplewithcomplexneeds.Managingmorethan300houses,includingthetenanciesofover220peopleexperiencingsignificantperiodsofmentalillness,UCW’sexpertiseinthisareahasbeenrecognisedinvariousforums,includingattheNationalHousingConferenceheldinPerthinOctober2015.MaintainingstrongrelationshipswiththemetropolitanMentalHealthClinicsisimportanttooursuccessindeliveringthisservice.Inlate2015,workcommencedonastrategytoincreasethenumberofpropertiesUCWmanages,withafocusondevelopingaviabletenancyroundoperatingfromeachServiceCentre.UCWalsosupportsarangeofotherserviceprovidersthroughpropertymaintenanceandsupportservices.

WehaveseenincreasesinthedemandforUCW’srangeofHomelessnessServicesacross2015/16.Emerginggroupsofpeopleexperiencinghomelessnessincludepeoplewithdisabilities,olderwomenandasmallbutgrowinggroupofpeoplewhoareineligibleforsocialservicesupportinAustralia.Uncertaintyaroundhomelessnessfundingandpolicycontinues.Atwo-yearNationalPartnershipAgreementonHomelessnesscommencedon1July2015.Itisthelatestinaseriesofshort-termfundingagreementsbetweenStateandFederalGovernments.

TheDepartmentforChildProtectionandFamilySupport(DCPFS)hasalsocommencedareviewprocesstoshapethedesignofallofitsservicescurrentlyprovidedbynotforprofitandforprofitorganisations.ThisprocesswillincludethehomelessnessservicesinWA.Despitetheuncertainty,UCW’sintegratedandholisticrangeofhomelessnessprogramsplacestheorganisationinapositivepositiontorespondtochangeinthisarea.Thereviewwillalsocoveroutofhomecare,intensivefamilysupportservicesandfostercareservices.

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A29-yearoldmaleparticipanthasmadeexcellentprogresstowardshisrecovery.

Afewmonthsagohewashospitalisedafterdisplayingsuicidalideation,andheidentifieswithamultifaceteddiagnosis.

Throughhisassessmentandactionplanning,heshowedadeterminationandcouragethatindicatedhewasmotivatedtoworktowardshisrecovery.

Withthesupportoftheprogram,heappliedfortransitionalhousingandenlistedhimselfinagymwithapersonaltrainer.

Hehasmadecontactwithasocialinclusionorganisation,andattendedhisfirstmeeting.

Overrecentweeks,hehasbeenworkingatabakery,andhopestopursuehisdreamofbecomingabaker.

Inside Stories

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Strengthening Communities UnitingCareWest(UCW)providesarangeofout-of-homecareservicesforchildrenandyoungpeople.FamilyGroupHomescareprimarilyforchildrendealingwithexperiencesofabuseorneglect.Futuresisalong-termfostercareserviceforchildrenandyoungpeoplewithhighcareneeds.Acleartrendin2015/16hasbeenanincreaseinthecomplexityofbehaviourofchildrenandyoungpeoplereferredtotheservices.Thishaspresentedchallengesinareassuchasstaffretention,andincreasedvacancyratesingrouphomesduetothedifficultiesinappropriatematchingofchildren.UCW’sout-of-homecareactivitieswillbeimpactedbythesectorreformagendadescribedintheDepartmentforChildProtectionandFamilySupport’spaper,‘BuildingaBetterFuture:OutofHomeCareReforminWesternAustralia,’releasedinApril2016.Asnotedinthepaper,therearemorechildrenincareinWAthaneverbefore.Childrenarelikelytocomeintocareearlier,andremaintherelonger.Strikingly,forthefirsttime,themajorityofchildrenincareareAboriginal.Whilemanychallengesareforeseeableinthisarea,UCW’slongstandingmissionalcommitmenttothosemostinneedcontinuestodriveourcareforthiscohort.

Newpinisanearlyinterventionprogramdirectedatstrengtheningfamilyfunctioning,withaparticularfocusonthemother-childrelationship.NewpinAustralia’sannualqualityassuranceassessmentofUCW’sprogramwasverypositive,notingthat,allstaff(includingthevolunteers)shouldbecongratulatedintheircommitment…asitisobviousthemothersvalueitgreatly.

TheChildandFamilyTherapeuticServiceofferscounsellingtochildren,adolescentsandfamilieswhohavebeenimpactedbychildsexualabuse.Inthepast12months,theyhaveseenanincreaseinfamiliesfromCulturallyandLinguisticallyDiverse(CALD)backgrounds.Inmanycases,theparentsinthesefamiliesspeaklittleornoEnglish.Atpresent,therearequestionsabouttheavailabilityofongoingfundingforinterpretersforclientsinthissituation.

TherolloutoftheNationalDisabilityInsuranceScheme(NDIS)islikelytohaveasignificantimpactonboththeFuturesandRecoveryOptionsservices.ItisanticipatedthatasignificantamountoffundingpreviouslyavailablefortheseserviceswillbefoldedintotheNDIS.Across2015/16,theStrengtheningCommunitiesDirectoratehasparticipatedinUCW’sNDISreadinessprojecttomapandmanagetherisksandopportunitiesofthesechanges.

TheRecoveryOptionsserviceisoneofmanyserviceareasexperiencingsignificantbenefitsfromtherolloutofthe‘OutcomesStar’,aframeworkforcasemanagementthatsupportsclientsinachievingself-determinedgoals.Over2015/16,332participantscompletedRecoveryStars,withtheaggregatedoutcomesshowingimprovementsacrossalltendomainsmeasured.Aconsistentchallengefacedbytheprogramistheprevalenceofmethamphetamineusebyparticipants.Thismaynotbedisclosedatthetimeofassessment,andoftenhinderstherecoveryprocess.Manyspecialistdrugandalcoholservicesnowrequireaminimumof12weeksattendanceatgrouporone-to-onecounsellingsessions.Especiallywhereaparticipant’snaturalsupportsystemsarenotinplaceorarenolongerableorwillingtoprovidesupport,manyparticipantsstruggletomeetthisrequirement.

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AgroupofresidentswhohadbeensharingahousethroughtheYourHomeprogramneededtomovethisyear.Theywerekeentokeeplivingtogether.

Afterlookingatmanyproperties,theychoseanewhomeinBelmont.Anumberofthementookthedayoffworktohelpwiththemove.

Whiletherehavebeenchangestogetusedto,theylovetheirnewhome.

Theyarequicklybecomingfamiliarwithnewwaysofcommuting,andconnectingwiththeircommunity.

Inside Stories

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LevelUpcommencedintheKwinanaareain2016.LevelUpisamentoringandskills-developmentprogramforyoungpeopleages18-29.Clientsworktogethertoorganisecommunityeventstoaddressissuesaffectingyoungpeopleintheirarea,andworkwithUnitingCareWest(UCW)stafftoruntheservicethroughworkexperiencepositionssuchasreception,administrationandsafety.In2015/16,UCWranfourprogramtrials.Asaresultofthesuccessofthosetrials,weexpecttoexpandtoeightnewlocationsin2016/17.

Forsevenyears,UCWhasbeenlargelyself-funding,throughcontributionsfromtheUnitingChurchintheCitycongregations,theTrueColoursprograminsouth-westWesternAustralia.TrueColoursdirectlysupportsyounglesbian,gay,bisexual,transgenderandintersexpeoplebyprovidingsafespaces,andworkingwithschoolsandteachers.UCWhasnotbeenabletosourceongoingfundingforthisprogramandwithdecreasingfundsavailablefromtheUCIC,UCWhasneededtofindalternativewaystosupportLGBTIyoungpeople.Inlightoftheroll-outofthe‘SafeSchools’program,wemadethedecisionthatthecurrentTrueColoursprogrammodelwouldceaseoperatinginDecember2016.YoungLGBTIpeopleareoftensomeofthemostvulnerablepeopleinourcommunity,andUCWcontinuestobecommittedtosupportingthem.WearecurrentlyinvestigatingalternativeserviceandfundingmodelsandexpectmanyyoungpeoplewillbeabletoaccesssupportthroughtheirschoolsandtheLevelUpprogram.

CommunityConnectionssupportspeoplewhoaresociallyisolatedtoincreasetheirnetworksthroughregularinteractionswithvolunteers.Historically,CommunityConnectionshasbeenfundedthroughtheFederalGovernment’sHomeandCommunityCare(HACC)program.However,duetofundingchangesrelatedtotheimplementationoftheagedcarereformsandtheNDIS,manyoftheclientswhoaccessCommunityConnectionsarenolongereligibleforfunding.Asaresult,2015/16hasseenaredesignoftheservicemodelwithadecreaseinthestaffingofthisprogram.TheprogramisnowrunningtocapacitybutisexpectedtogrowastheServiceCentrestrategyisimplemented.

CommunityOptionsisaperson-centeredservicesupportingpeoplewithadisabilitytomaintaintheirindependenceandwellnessbyparticipatingincommunity-basedactivities.Theservicehasgrownthroughouttheyear,withmanynewreferralsandfewpeopleleavingtheservice.CommunityOptionsnowoperatessevendaysperweek,includingevenings.Withanemphasisonfamilycontact,andtheintroductionofawiderangeofspecialevents,theserviceisgainingaverypositivereputationinthecommunity.Evidenceofthisincludesanincreaseinprivate,fee-payingclients.

UCW’sYourHomeprogramprovidessupportedsharedaccommodationforpeoplewithdisabilities.InlightoffundingchangesconnectedwiththeimplementationoftheNDIS,theprogramhasbeenreviewedthisyear,withtheexpectationthataredesignedservicemodelwillbeimplementedin2016/17.

Community Inclusion

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InJanuary2016UnitingCareWest(UCW)launcheditsStrategicPlanfor2016–2020.Aspartofthestrategicconsultationprocess,UCW

reviewedandendorsedthenextiterationoftheorganisation’smissionstatement,whichreflectsourdesiretobeinclusiveofallpeoplein

society.

TherevisedmissionstatementforUCWis“To work with people and communities so those most in need can belong and thrive”. It

emphasisestheaimtoworkinandwithcommunities,forthebenefitofall,butparticularlythosemostinneed.Movingforward,UCWlooks

forwardtoworkingwithpeopleandcommunitiestoadvancetheimportantworkofUCW.

Itremainsourvisiontoachievejustice,hopeandopportunityforallwithourmissiontoworkwithpeopleandcommunities

sothosemostinneedcanbelongandthrive.

Strategic Plan2016 - 2020

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OrganisationalDevelopment

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Preparing for Individualised Funding Models

LegislationfortheNationalDisabilityInsuranceScheme(NDIS)cameintoforcein2013.Sincethen,trialareasandconceptshavebeenintroducedthroughoutAustralia.Eachtrialsitewasuniqueinsomeaspect.TheNDISisaperson-centricmodel,focusingon‘choiceandcontrol’,andthedeliveryof‘reasonableandnecessarysupports.’

Theintentionistoempowerpeoplewithdisabilitiestomakechoicesontheirownbehalfaboutthewayinwhichtheyreceiveservicestosupporttheirneeds.FororganisationslikeUnitingCareWest(UCW),thisisasignificantshiftinthewayinwhichfundscomeintotheorganisation.Previously,‘blockfunding’wasgiventoproviders,andclientswereabletousethoseservices,ornot.

Fundsarenowallocatedtoindividualeligiblepeopleandareportableattheparticipant’sdiscretion.OrganisationssuchasUCWmustnowfocusnotonlyonprovidinghighqualityservices,butonconceptsofquality,marketability,andfinancialsustainability.

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Reconciliation Action Plan

2015/16sawconsiderableworktodevelopUnitingCareWest(UCW)’sInnovateReconciliationActionPlanJuly2016-July2018(RAP),whichwasapprovedon1July2016.UCWiscommittedtoproactivelyengagingwithAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeopleandcommunitiestoimprovethedeliveryofculturallyrespectfulandappropriateservices.WearecommittedtoreconciliationinAustraliabetweenAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeopleandotherAustralians.TheRAPisonewayofdemonstratingthesecommitments,embeddingempathy,respect,inclusiveness,integrityandcommitmentinourorganisationalplanningandwork.

DuringthedurationofthisRAP,UCWwillbelookingatwaystoenhanceitsworkforcestrategy,andtoenhancetheskillsanddiversityofourworkforce.AboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderstaffwillplayanimportantroleinourunderstandingofwhatculturallyappropriatepracticesandprocedureswilllooklike,asweseektobecomeaplacewhereAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeoplefeelwelcomeandvalued,bothasclients,volunteersandstaff.CommitmenttotheUCWRAPimplementationbeginswiththeBoard,andflowsthroughalllayersofmanagementandstaff.ServiceCentreManagerswilltakeanactiveroleinplace-basedimplementationoftheRAP.

UCW’sRAPfocusesonthreekeyareas:

Relationships-UCWwillbuildpositiveoutcomesbyworkinganddevelopingrelationshipsandpartnershipswithAboriginalpeopleandcommunitiesinawaythatisevidence-informed,integrated,andmeaningful.

Respect-UCWwillseektobeseenandheardasanorganisationthatrespectfullyengageswithAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeople.

Opportunities-UCWwillbeathrivingandagileorganisation,asought-afterpartner,collaboratorandemployer.Reflection,curiosity,andcreativityarecentraltoourworkingethos.

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RAP ArtworkTheUnitingCareWest(UCW)RAPartworkwascreatedbyDaleTilbrook,aWardandiBibbulmumwomanfromthesouth-westofWesternAustralia.

ThefivemaincolourblocksrepresentthefivecorevaluesofUCW,andalsoreflecttherefreshedbrandoftheorganisation.WithinthesecolourblocksareAboriginalsymbolsdepictingthecorevaluesofUCWbeingincorporatedintopolicyandactions.Asthesearesharedwiththecommunity,theyarepickedupandembeddedfurtherintothecommunity.

The‘U’shapesrepresentpeoplemeeting.Atfirst,itisjustUCWstaff,asinglecolour.Theintroductionofdifferentcoloursinthegroupsshowstaffinvolvementwithcommunitymembers,whothenmeetwithothersandsoon.Thefinalgroupsdonotincludethecoloursusedforstaffmembers,theimplicationbeingthatthevaluesoftheorganisationflowthroughandareadoptedbythecommunity.Theuseofthespiralalsosymbolisesthecontinuumofsharingvaluesandinfluencingcommunityoutcomes,withthelargedotsrepresentingthecommunity.

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Technology and SystemsIn2011,UnitingCareWest(UCW)commencedtheimplementationofa5yearInformationManagementStrategicPlan.ThisstrategyincludedestablishingtheInformationandCommunicationTechnology(ICT)capacitytolinkallUCWbusinesssystemsincludingClientRelationshipManagement.Atyearend,thesystemwassoimbeddedintheorganisation,thatitneededitsownname.Bymajorityvoteofthestaff,thesystemwillberenamedUCWLInK.

UCW’skeytechnologysystemisTechnologyOne.Ouruseofthesystemhascontinuedtoevolvein2015/16.Previouslyusedprimarilytocapturetransactionalinputs,itisnowbeingusedasatooltodriveinnovativeorganisationaloutcomes.Forexample,TechnologyOneallowsmanagersacrosstheorganisationtoreviewfinancialdatainrealtimeagainstabroadrangeofledgersreflectinginformationsuchasfleetcostspervehicle,andpropertyincomeandexpenditureperaddress.Incertainprogramareas,managersareabletogenerateProfit&Lossinformationatthelevelofindividualclients.InrespectofMarketing&Advancementactivities,eachmarketingeventisbeingreportedasaseparatefinancialproject,allowingadetailedcost-benefitanalysistobeappropriatelyperformed.

Beyondfinancialreporting,TechnologyOneisbeingusedbytheFacilitiesteamtocontrolcomplianceactivities(suchasRCDchecks)foreverysiteandServiceCentre.HousingServicesaredoingthesameforthepropertiestheycontrol.Complianceobligationspertainingtostaffqualificationsandtrainingobligationscanalsobemonitoredthroughagrowingrangeofmanagementdashboards.

TechnologyOnehasalsobeendeployedinthenewIncidentReportingandFacilityServiceRequestprocesses.DetailsofcriticalincidentsorfacilityservicerequestsarenowcapturedthroughTechnologyOneandreportedinatargetedmannertoarangeofusergroupsforresponse.

In2015/16,theCorporateServicesteamhasworkedwithotherbusinessareastoprototypefunctionalitywithinTechnologyOnetorespondtoNDISandotherindividualisedfundingmodels.Relatedtothis,wearealsoworkingontheabilitytoacceptpaymentsfromindividualclientsviaBPAY;thisfacilityisexpectedtobeavailablefromJuly2016. UCW’sICTteamhasbeencriticaltothesuccessfulroll-outofTechnologyOne.Althoughweexperiencedanumberofsignificantchallengesacrosstheyear,includinghardwarefailuresandpoweroutagesthatbroughtdownthemainserverroom,systemcontinuitywasmaintainedatahighlevel.TheICTteamworkedtominimisedisruptionandmaximisestaffsafetyanddatasecurity.TheICTteamalsodeliveredtwomajorprojectsduringtheyear.WithLotterywestfunding,thephonesystemwasupgradedinamannerthat‘internallyconnected’allUCWsites.TheteamalsotransitionedUCW’sdatacommsfromTelstratoAmcom,achangethatisexpectedtoresultinconsiderablefinancialsavings.

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Assets, Facilities & Fleet

TheAssetsteamisarelativelynewgroupwithinUnitingCareWest(UCW).In2015/16,theyhavedevelopedanddistributedhandbooksdetailingarangeoftopicsandinformationinrespectofbothFleetandFacilitiesmanagement.

TheFacilitiesteamhasplayedacentralroleinthesuccessfulupgradeoftheInnerCityServiceCentre,andthedevelopmentoftheFremantleServiceCentre.Theyhavealsorolledoutsecurityimprovementsacrossmultiplesites,andchangestofitoutatSunburyRoadinlinewithchangestotheorganisation’sstructure.

TheFleetteammanagedthetransitionofUCW’sfleetleasingarrangementsthisyear.Theyhaveidentifiedafocusonvehicleanddriversafetyasapriorityfornextyear.

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Finance

Revenue

Expenditure

TheFinanceteamhavemadeimportantstrategicprogressover2015/16.Forthefirsttimeintheorganisation’shistory,five-yearforwardestimateswereproduced,providingmanagementandtheBoardwithclearinsightintosomeofthefinancialchallengesfacingtheorganisation.

Adraftinvestmentstrategywasalsopreparedforthefirsttime.ThisenabledtheFinance,Audit&RiskCommitteetohavearichdiscussionabouthowUnitingCareWest’sbalancesheetmightbeusedtogreatereffect.

Acashflowmodelhasalsobeencreatedtohelptheorganisationwiththekeychallengeofprojectingandmanagingcashflowasmoreofourservicesmoveintotherealmofindividualisedfunding.

Grants (82%)

Employee Expenses (71%)

Other Revenue (12%)

Other Expenses (20%)

Uniting Church In the City (2%)

Property Expenditure (7%)

Donations (2%)

Depreciation & Impairment (2%)

Interest & Dividends (2%)

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People and Culture

UnitingCareWest’s(UCW)diverserangeofservicesaredeliveredbyaworkforceofmorethan800highlycommitted,enthusiasticandengagedemployeesandvolunteers.Workingwithpeopleandcommunitiessothosemostinneedcanbelongandthrive,ourworkforceensuretheeffectiveoperationsofservicesdayandnight,yearround.

The2015/16financialyearsawanumberofstrategicPeopleandCultureprogramsdeliveredacrossourorganisation.Thesuccessfulre-negotiationofUCW’sEmployeeCollectiveAgreementprovidesapivotalindustrialrelationsfoundationforourworkforcetodeliveronournewStrategicPlan.Stronglysupportedacrosstheorganisation,thenewagreementrecognisesthediversityofroletypesinarangeofservicesandsupportsourworkforcebeinginnovativeandadaptabledeliveringresponsiveservicestoourclients.

Recognisingthefundamentalroleofourmorethan60leadersinrolesfromTeamLeadertoCEO,thenewLeadershipFrameworkarticulatestheleadershipbehavioursourpeopleneedinordertoachievetheoutcomesinourStrategicPlan.Withanemphasisoninnovationandagilitytheframeworkprovidesabasisforleadershipdevelopmentandsuccessionplanning.Tosupportouremergingleaders,UCWhaspartneredwithourfellowWestAustralianUnitingCareagencies,GSIandJunipertodelivera12weekleadershipprogramwithamixofclassroomandonthejoblearning.Graduatesoftheprogramconsistentlyprovidefeedbackindicatingtheirleadershipskills,knowledgeandconfidencehasgrownsignificantly,assistingthemtobemoreeffectiveleaders.

“I considered myself very fortunate to have been chosen for the leadership program. Leading up to the commencement of the

leadership program I was intrigued as to what I would learn and be able to transfer back to my role. I found the participation

from the entire group of fellow participants to be really positive. Along our journey I learnt a lot from them on their background,

experiences and what leadership qualities they showed.

As the program progressed I found I was able to transfer skills and knowledge I acquired to work situations. The overall feeling I got out

of the program was being able to focus on the things that mattered and things that I could

control. Prior to the program I would often feel frustrated by situations that I couldn’t control

and which caused undue stress.”

Lyndon Nilsson Food Rescue Team Leader

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People and Culture

Theworkhealthandsafetyofouremployeesandvolunteerscontinuestobeaworkforcepriority.Allemployeesandvolunteersparticipateinarangeofsafetyrelatedtrainingandanumberofprogramswereheldtoraisesafetyawarenessacrosstheorganisation.NumbersofworkerscompensationcasescontinuedtodeclineandUCW’sincidentmanagementandresponsesystemshavebeenfurtherimprovedtoprovideswiftresponsestomanagingissues.

VolunteercontributionstoUCWserviceshavemorethantripledinthelastfouryears.Engagementwithvolunteersfromcongregations,corporates,schools,clientbaseandthecommunityprovidesvaluableassistanceinalmostallofourservices,includingtheservicesupportareas.RecognisingandcelebrationourvolunteersisimportantandincludedarangeofactivitiesheldonNationalThankaVolunteerDay,5December,theannualvolunteerafternoonteaheldinFebruaryandanumberofactivitiesheldduringVolunteersWeekinMay.

TheannualAwayDay,heldon1Julyprovidedafantasticopportunityforallofouremployeesandvolunteerstocometogetherandcelebratemakingadifferenceinourcommunities.Withafocuson‘joiningthedots’theAwayDayprovidedopportunitiesforourworkforcetocontributetoourStrategicPlan,providearangeofimprovementideasandalsofeedbackontheiroverallviewofwork.TheAwayDayalsoprovidedanopportunitytorecogniseandcelebratethefiverecipientsofourannualERIICAwards,coordiantedbyUCW’sMissionDevelopmentLeaderandawardedtoemployeesandvolunteersnominatedbytheircolleagues,whodemonstrateUCW’svaluesintheirwork.2015recipientswereFionaCafferty,KarenGriffin,WayneMcOnie,DarleneNewittandHelenRobinson.

Full time (39%)

Part time (30%)

Casual (31%)

Employees

Congregational (15%)

Community (35%)

Corporate (36%)

Schools and students (12%)

UCW Clients (2%)

Volunteers

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Inside Stories

In2016,UnitingCareWest(UCW)launchedTheWarehouseGallery;aninclusivegalleryspacethatprovidesaplatformforemergingartistsexperiencing

disadvantagetodisplaytheirartwork.

Eachexhibitionwilllastbetweensixandeightweeks,commencingwithanopeningnightevent.Allartworkwillbeforsalewithproceedsgoingtowardsthe

artistsandtosustainingthegallery.

TheWarehouseGalleryOpeningNightattractedwideinterestandwasverywellattended.TheMayorofSubiaco,HeatherHenderson,andtheChairofUCW,

PeterFitzpatrickAM,formallyopenedthegallery.

TheCityofSubiacoprovidedagrantthathelpedcompletephysicalupgradesincludinglightingandpicturehanging.

Avolunteercuratorwasrecruitedtoselectandhangartworkfortheever-changingcollectionofworkbycommunityartistswhomaynototherwisehavea

chancetopubliclydisplaytheirart.

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Connecting with Communities

26

The Warehouse CaféTheWarehouseCaféisasocialenterprisecaféinShentonParkthatconnectspeopleinthecommunityandsupportspeoplewhoarelivingwithadisability.Openforbreakfastandlunchfivedaysaweek,alongwithprivatebookings,theCaféprovidesopportunitiesfortraining,buildinglifeskills,andthepossibilitytomoveintoopenemployment.

Athree-yearstrategicplanfortheCaféwasfinalisedinDecember2015,withthegoalofincreasingthefinancialsustainabilityoftheproject.Aspartoftheplan,furniturehasbeenupgraded,acommunityartgalleryhasbeenopened,andplansareinplacetoestablishasecond-handbookshoparea.

TheWarehouseCaféwillbeopensixdaysperweekfromSeptember2016(closedMondays).

Food Rescue

FoodRescueaimstoalleviatehungerinWesternAustraliabyrescuingperishable,freshandnutritiousfoodfromcafes,caterers,supermarketsandwholesalersanddeliveringittodisadvantagedandvulnerablepeople.

FoodRescueismadepossiblethroughanumberofcorporatesponsorships,andover2015/16,teamsfromourcorporatesponsors,aswellasstudentsfromChristchurchGrammarandotherindividualshelpedinrolessuchasadministration,driving,collectingfood,sortingandpacking.

Onaverage,theManagerofFoodRescuespeakswithatleasttwocommunityserviceorspecialinterestgroupsabouttheworkofFoodRescueeverymonth.Thevolumeoffoodcollectedthisyearincreasedbyover13%to478,000kgs,andvolunteerin-kindhoursrosebyover10%toapproximately741hourspermonth.

OnThursday19May2016FoodRescueranitsFoodieFundraiserattheOldBreweryinCrawley.

ShakShukaauthenticMoroccanfood,TheTrustee,TheShorehouseandTaylorsCoffee&ArtHousealldonatedtheirtimealongwithprovidingan

arrayoffoodfortheguestsattheevent.

Supportersenjoyedfinewine,craftbeerandfoodstations,alltohelpFoodRescuefeedover11,000

Perthpeopleinneed.

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Christmas in JulyUnitingCareWest(UCW)’sinauguralChristmasinJulyDinnerDancewasheldonFriday,24July2015.HerExcellencytheHonourableKerrySandersonAC,GovernorofWesternAustraliawasPatronandtheeventwasheldintheGovernmentHouseBallroom.

UCWmadeaninitialthreeyearcommitmenttothisevent.In2015,ourgoalwastogrowUCW’ssupporterdatabase,operateacost-neutralorsmallsurpluseventandraisetheorganisation’sprofileinthecommunity.

Weexceededthesegoals.

Ourlong-termgoalisthattheeventwillbecomeanannuallandmarkfundraisingeventforthewholeofUCW,andonethatgeneratessignificantrevenueinthecomingyears.

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SchoolsUnitingCareWest(UCW)haslong-standingrelationshipswithUnitingChurchSchoolsacrossPerth,aswellaswiththewidereducationnetwork.

The2015AnnualSocialJusticeConferencewasagainwellreceivedbystudentsandteachers.WealsoreceivedapositiveresponsetothesecondUCWStudentForum.

Arangeofpresentersspokeonthetheme,‘BeTheChange,’includingamovingpresentationfromaclientofUCW’sWynCarrWomen’sServices,whichprovidescrisisaccommodationandsupporttowomenseekingrefugefromdomesticorfamilyviolence.

ThisyearwealsoheldaSchoolChaplainMorningTea.OurintentionistorepeatthisnextyearaspartofourstrategyofengagingdifferentgroupswithinUnitingChurchSchoolswiththeworkofUCW.

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Unleashing Your CreativityInearly2016,incollaborationwith360Health+Community,Ruah,AdvancedPersonnelManagement(APM),TPM,andPartnersinRecovery,UnitingCareWest(UCW)ranaseriesof11freeworkshopsforpeoplelivingwithpersistentmentalhealthissues,theirfamilies,friendsandcarers.

MusicalworkshopssuchasAfricandrumming,singing,songwriting,‘junk’instrumentcreationandhiphop,aswellasphotography,art,danceandcomedywereoffered.

TheprogramculminatedinashowcaseattheWABalletCentre,withPeterRowesthornasMasterofCeremonies.

TheCreativeArtsProjectwasanewinitiativeforUCW,givingpeoplewhoareexperiencingmentalhealth

challenges,theopportunitytoparticipateinaseriesofcreativeworkshopsasanoutletofexpressingtheir

thoughtsandfeelingsinanartform.

ManywereclientsofUCWorothercommunityserviceorganisations.Participantsinthe

workshopspresentedtheirartisticandcreativeachievementattheCreativeArtsshowcaseeventonWednesday

25MayattheWABalletCentre,Maylands.

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With thanks to all those organisations that supported UnitingCare West with grants throughout 2015-2016.

Main Funding Sources

GovernmentFundersCityofSubiacoDepartmentofChildProtection&FamilySupportDepartmentofCorrectiveServicesDepartmentofHealthDepartmentofLocalGovernment&CommunitiesDepartmentofthePrimeMinister&CabinetDepartmentofSocialServicesDisabilityServicesCommissionLotterywestNationalDisabilityInsuranceAgency

OtherFunders360Health&CommunityAtWorkAustraliaBlackSwanHealthLimitedInclusionWARelationshipAustralia

UnitingChurchintheCity

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UnitingChurchandUnitingCarePartnersandSchools

UnitingCareWestisgreatlyappreciativeofthemanyindividualsandfamilieswhogivesogenerouslyoftheirtimeandresourcesthroughdonations,in-kindsupportandvolunteering.

Inaddition,UCWwouldliketoextendheartfeltthankstotheUnitingChurchintheCity,FremantleWesleyMissionandotherUnitingChurchinWAcongregations,aswellastheUnitingCareWAForumwhosesupportiswholeheartedlyappreciated.

Inclosing,thankyoualsotothefollowingorganisationsandgroupsfortheirgeneroussupportandfriendship.

Acknowledgements

GoodSamaritanIndustriesJuniperMethodistLadies’CollegePenrhosCollegePresbyterianLadies’College

ScotchCollegeStStephen’sSchoolTranbyCollegeUnitingCareAustraliaUnitingChurchinWesternAustralia

UnitingChurchInsuranceServicesUnitingChurchInvestmentFundWesleyCollege

Sponsors

100StGeorgesTerraceAlintaEnergyAusdrillLtdArgonautBenzIndustriesBowenFoundation

ClaytonUtzEurekaLegacyFoundationGalvinFamilyFoundationGoodGuysFoundationGREngineeringServicesHWLEbsworth

StanPerronCharitableTrustStormflowerWestpacWillis

KeySupportersAllpestAustageBDRProjectsBankwestBeckhor&AssociatesBraincellsBunningsChristmas360CommonwealthBankDalcosPanel&PaintPtyLtd

DimmickCharitableTrustFleetwestGalleriaMorleyGlenmoyMedicalCentrePtyLtdGrill’dPtyLtdJettsGymsLesterBladesLloydCollinsMillarHoldingsMyriadImages

NPBQuickmailSBDDrillingScottPrintSoroptimistInternationalclubofSouthPerthTargetWoodsRecruitmentWorkitWorkwear

Contact

If you would like to find out more about our organisation and work, please visit www.unitingcarewest.org.au or contact us at:

UnitingCare West16 Sunbury RoadVICTORIA PARK WA 6100

Phone 1300 663 298Fax 1300 663 528

www.unitingcarewest.org.au

AnagencyoftheUnitingCareNetwork