1 │Area profile for comment January 2013
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.
Profile—Wheatbelt area Consultation Document
Profile—Wheatbelt area
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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 Australia 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
partnership with key stakeholders is
creating a Sector Development Plan. Its
purpose is:
to provide further direction and
targeted developmental
opportunities across WA
to ensure the disability services
sector continues to evolve to meet
the needs, goals and preferences
of people with disability.
Fifteen profile area documents have been
created to cover all areas across WA.
They combine existing information to
create a picture of supports and services
that make up the disability sector in each
area. It provides a base of information to
be validated or challenged by
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.
Guiding strategic documents
Convention on the Rights of
Persons with Disability (United
Nations 2006)
Count Me In: Disability Future
Directions (DSC 2009)
Delivering Community Services in
Partnership Policy (Department of
Premier and Cabinet 2011)
Disability Care and Support Reports
(Productivity Commission 2011)
Disability Services Commission
Strategic Plan 2011–2015
(DSC 2011)
National Disability Agreement
(Commonwealth of Australia 2011)
National Disability Strategy
(Commonwealth of Australia 2009)
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This diagram below explains how the plan will be developed:
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 PERTH 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.
Phase one
Describing existing supports and services
15 profile area consultation documents
State-wide overview
Phase two
Seeking local feedback
Identifying strengths and gaps
Phase three
Planning and identifying opportunities to improve the sector
Developing solutions to address gaps
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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.
Profile—Wheatbelt area
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Area profile for comment January 2013
Location The Wheatbelt area profile covers about 158,561 square kilometres (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2012b) and includes 44 local government authorities (LGAs):
Shire of Beverley Shire of Dumbleyung Shire of Mukinbudin Shire of Victoria Plains
Shire of Boddington Shire of Gingin Shire of Narembeen Shire of Wagin
Shire of Brookton Shire of Goomalling Shire of Narrogin Shire of Wandering
Shire of Bruce Rock Shire of Kellerberrin Town of Narrogin Shire of West Arthur
Shire of Chittering Shire of Kondinin Shire of Northam Shire of Westonia
Shire of Corrigin Shire of Koorda Shire of Nungarin Shire of Wickepin
Shire of Cubaling Shire of Kulin Shire of Pingelly Shire of Williams
Shire of Cunderdin Shire of Lake Grace Shire of Quairading Shire of Wongan-Ballidu
Shire of Dalwalinu Shire of Merredin Shire of Tammin Shire of
Wyalkatchem
Shire of Dandaragan Shire of Moora Shire of Toodyay Shire of Yilgarin
Shire of Dowerin Shire of Mount Marshall
Shire of Trayning Shire of York
The region stretches from Moodiarup in the south to Bimbijy in the north and from Cervantes and Jurien Bay in the west to the Parker Range in the east. Of the 44 LGAs, the Shire of Yilgarin covers the largest expanse of land covering about 19 per cent of the total area (ABS 2012b).
Demographics
According to the 2011 Census (ABS 2012b), there is an estimated 76,376 people living in
the region and about 13 per cent reside in the Shire of Northam (see Appendix A). The
Wheatbelt area represents 3.28 per cent of the West Australian population.
The age distribution across the population in the Wheatbelt area differs to that across
Western Australia. The area has fewer numbers of people between the ages of 15 and 44
and higher numbers of people over the age of 45.
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Area profile for comment January 2013
According to the Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC) 2009, Small area
estimates, an estimated 4,855 (2.7%) (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.
Population characteristics
About 15 per cent of the population in this area was born overseas, which is around
half the WA average of 31 per cent (ABS 2012b).
Four per cent of Wheatbelt population speaks 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 four per cent of the population in the Midwest area.
This is similar to the percentage reported for all of WA, which is three per cent.
Over nine per cent of the population reported provided unpaid assistance to a person
with disability—this higher than the percentage recorded for the State (ABS 2012b).
The median total household weekly incomes across the Wheatbelt area are mostly below
the State figure ($1,415)—with 30 of the 44 LGAs reporting figures under $1,000 per week
(ABS 2012b). 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 Pingelly $759
Shire of Quairading $850
Town of Narrogin $955
Shire of Mukinbudin $1,055
Shire of Yilgarin $1,118
Shire of Wandering $1,298
Shire of Chittering $1,368
Shire of Westonia $1,458
Shire of Boddington $1,814
Source: ABS 2012b.
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).
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Table 3: Rental and housing prices
Suburb LGA Median weekly
rent (3 b/rm)
Median house
price (3 b/rm)
Beverley Shire of Beverley $200 $177,500
Gingin Shire of Gingin $350 $315,000
Narrogin Shire of Narrogin $260 $227,500
Toodyay Shire of Toodyay $335 $308,500
Wyalkatchem Shire of Wyalkatchem
NA $115,000
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) provides information
about the Wheatbelt area—information is available at rda.gov.au/my-rda/wa.
Tell us what you think
1. What other information would you like to add about the Wheatbelt 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 Wheatbelt 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.
3 Rent prices from October–December 2011. House prices based on sales as at 4 May 2012.
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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
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):
Share and Care Community Service Group Inc.: Assists those in need of health, welfare
and childcare services in communities in the Coastal, Wheatbelt and Upper Great Southern
areas. Services include financial counselling, emergency relief, supported accommodation,
women's refuge, and home support service.
Postal address: PO Box 365, Northam, WA, 6401.
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 Wheatbelt
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
Profile—Wheatbelt area
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Area profile for comment January 2013
disability and their families’ access supports and services designed to help them exercise
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, 339 people in the Wheatbelt area were registered with LAC according to the
Annual Client and Service Data Collection (ACDC) (Disability Services Commission 2012).
Of these people:
More than 52 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 Narrogin (51), followed by Northam (49) and Merredin (27).
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.
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Table 4: Organisations that offered shared management in the Wheatbelt area in 2012
Activ Foundation Perth Home Care Services
Baptistcare Wheatbelt Individual and Family Support
My Place
Source: DSC 2012.
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, 36 people in the Wheatbelt 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, eight people in the Wheatbelt area had an individualised funding package for
accommodation support and lived in one of two shared support accommodation
arrangements (group homes) (DSC 2012). This represented less than one per cent of all
group homes across the State. Two organisations provided all the shared supported
accommodation in this profile area—the Activ Foundation and Disability Services
Commission—Accommodation Services.
Individualised community living (ICL)
In the Wheatbelt area in 2011−12, 28 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 Northam (8).
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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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 Wheatbelt area, 77 people received an ATE or PSO allocation in 2011−2012
(DSC 2012):
Almost 60 per cent were aged between 15 and 29,
Most people lived in Narrogin (13), followed by Northam (12) and York (10).
Perth Home Care Services and Avon Community Employment Support Centre Inc.
provided the majority of ATE and PSO support to people in the Wheatbelt 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, 19 people in the Wheatbelt area used recreation support services (DSC
2012):
The Activ Foundation was the recreation service used by the largest number of
people in this 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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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 Wheatbelt area in 2011–2012:
34 people received Intensive Family Support funding (DSC 2012).
These people were spread across the Wheatbelt area.
Less than five people 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. 19 people
received some form of family support package funded through the Commission and
managed through LAC.
In 2011–2012, 110 people in the Wheatbelt profile area accessed Commission-funded
respite support through prequalified organisations (DSC 2012). The majority of these
people lived in Northam (28), followed by York (16) and Merredin (15).
The WA Government is building a respite house in York. It is expected to be completed
before the end of 2012. Wheatbelt Individual and Family Support Association have the
contract to provide respite services in this respite house.
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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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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 Wheatbelt area—Activ Narrogin.
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 Wheatbelt 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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Area profile for comment January 2013
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
Wheatbelt 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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Service access
The number of people accessing services in the Wheatbelt area is relatively consistent with
other areas across WA, using numbers of people 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 (0.11) compared to WA (0.88). This is consistent with most regional areas.
Table 5: Service coverage for Wheatbelt and state-wide per 1,000 head of population
People
accessing
LAC
People
accessing
shared
supported
accommod.
People
accessing
individ.
community
living
People
accessing
ATE/PSO
People
accessing
intensive
family
support
Wheatbelt 4.13 0.11 0.38 1.05 0.46
State-wide 3.89 0.88 0.51 1.12 0.42
Source: DSC 2012.
Future demand
The data in the Wheatbelt area highlights the following potential future demand:
There are 113 young people registered with LAC in the Wheatbelt area between the
ages of ages of 10 and 19. 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.
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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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:
Adequate support to individuals and families who prefer to undertake shared
management—demand for individuals and families to share manage services is
increasing. In the Wheatbelt area, some organisations offer shared management but
many do not. Demand for shared management is likely to increase into the future.
Organisations and individuals may require practical assistance to undertake shared
management and ensure they are supported adequately.
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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Area profile for comment January 2013
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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Area profile for comment January 2013
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, Wheatbelt profile, accessed 3 December 2012,
www.rdawheatbelt.com.au/ .
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 .
Profile—Wheatbelt area
20 │Area profile for comment January 2013 (last updated 11/12/2012)
Area profile for comment January 2013
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 .
Profile—Wheatbelt area
21 │Area profile for comment January 2013 (last updated 11/12/2012)
Area profile for comment January 2013
Appendix A—Additional data
Table 5: Wheatbelt population by LGA area
Total: Midwest profile area 73,376
Shire of Beverley 1,567
Shire of Boddington 2,227
Shire of Brookton 934
Shire of Bruce Rock 974
Shire of Chittering 4,428
Shire of Corrigin 1,063
Shire of Cubaling 870
Shire of Cunderdin 1,310
Shire of Dalwalinu 1,265
Shire of Dandaragan 3,185
Shire of Dowerin 677
Shire of Dumbleyung 605
Shire of Gingin 4,684
Shire of Goomalling 985
Shire of Kellerberrin 1,181
Shire of Kondinin 1,045
Shire of Koorda 437
Shire of Kulin 826
Shire of Lake Grace 1,360
Shire of Merredin 3,282
Shire of Moora 2,476
Shire of Mount Marshall 486
Shire of Mukinbudin 490
Shire of Narembeen 811
Shire of Narrogin 875
Town of Narrogin 4,220
Shire of Northam 10,557
Shire of Nungarin 230
Shire of Pingelly 1,163
Shire of Quairading 1,043
Shire of Tammin 403
Shire of Toodyay 4,388
Shire of Trayning 348
Shire of Victoria Plains 897
Shire of Wagin 1,847
Shire of Wandering 439
Profile—Wheatbelt area
22 │Area profile for comment January 2013 (last updated 11/12/2012)
Area profile for comment January 2013
Shire of West Arthur 868
Shire of Westonia 277
Shire of Wickepin 749
Shire of Williams 914
Shire of Wongan-Ballidu 1,433
Shire of Wyalkatchem 523
Shire of Yilgarin 1,638
Shire of York 3,396
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2012b.
Table 6: Percentage of total state-wide population residing in the Wheatbelt profile
area
Wheatbelt total population State-wide total population Percentage of state-wide
total population
73,376 2,239,170 3.28%
Source: ABS 2012b.
Profile—Wheatbelt area
23 │Area profile for comment January 2013 (last updated 11/12/2012)
Area profile for comment January 2013
Chart 1: Population age distribution Wheatbelt compared to state-wide
Source: ABS 2012b.
Table 7: General population and population with severe or profound core activity
limitation under 65 years-of-age in Wheatbelt and state-wide
Area Estimated
residential
population
Estimated
population with
severe or
profound activity
limitation
Estimated
percentage of
population with
disability
Wheatbelt profile
area 63,084 2,199 3.5%
State-wide 1,932,500 60,300 3.1%
Source: ABS 2012c.
0.00
2.00
4.00
6.00
8.00
10.00
12.00
14.00
16.00
18.00
Percentage of people
Age Ranges
Wheatbelt population distribution(%) State-wide Population distribution(%)
Profile—Wheatbelt area
24 │Area profile for comment January 2013 (last updated 11/12/2012)
Area profile for comment January 2013
Chart 2: Numbers of people registered with Commission’s Local Area Coordination
(LAC) in the Wheatbelt area by age range in 2011–2012
Age ranges 0-4 5-9 10-
14
15-
19
20-
24
25-
29
30-
34
35-
39
40-
44
45-
49
50-
54
55-
59
60-
64
65+
Wheatbelt
totals 29 64 45 68 25 23 19 8 14 16 11 10 5 5
Source: Disability Services Commission (DSC) 2012 (refer to Appendix B).
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
Number of people
Profile—Wheatbelt area
25 │Area profile for comment January 2013 (last updated 11/12/2012)
Area profile for comment January 2013
Chart 3: Number of people accessing shared supported accommodation and
individualised community living in the Wheatbelt area in 2011–2012
Accommodation
type
Shared supported Individualised community
living
Wheatbelt totals 8 28
Source: DSC 2012 (refer to Appendix B).
Table 8: Organisations used by people in the Wheatbelt area for shared supported
accommodation in 2011–2012
Organisation Number of people
rounded to nearest 5
Activ Foundation Inc 5
DSC - Accommodation Services 5
Source: DSC 2012 (refer to Appendix B).
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
Number of people
Shared Supported Individualised Community Living
Profile—Wheatbelt area
26 │Area profile for comment January 2013 (last updated 11/12/2012)
Area profile for comment January 2013
Table 9: Organisations used by people in the Wheatbelt area for individualised
community living in 2011–2012
Organisation Number of people
rounded to nearest 5
Perth Home Care Services 10
Accessability (formerly Upper Great Southern Family Support
Association)
5
Anglicare WA Inc 5
Baptistcare 5
LAC (self-managing) 5
Life Without Barriers 5
My Place 5
Teem Treasure 5
UnitingCare West 5
Source: DSC 2012 (refer to Appendix B).
Table 10: Organisations used by people in the Wheatbelt 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 20
Avon Community Employment Support Centre Inc 15
Accessability (formerly Upper Great Southern Family Support
Association)
10
Activ Foundation Inc 10
Baptistcare 10
Anglicare WA Inc 5
Disability in the Arts Disadvantage in the Arts (WA) Incorporated 5
Elba Inc 5
LAC (self-managing) 5
Rise (formerly Hills Community Support Group (Inc)) 5
Wheatbelt Individual and Family Support Association 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.
Profile—Wheatbelt area
27 │Area profile for comment January 2013 (last updated 11/12/2012)
Area profile for comment January 2013
Table 11: Organisations used by people in the Wheatbelt area for recreation in
2011–2012
Organisation Number of people
rounded to nearest 5
Activ Foundation Inc 10
Multiple Sclerosis Society 5
Riding for the Disabled Association of WA 5
The Centre for Cerebral Palsy 5
WA Disabled Sports Association 5
Source: DSC 2012 (refer to Appendix B and footnote 5).
Table 12: Organisations used by people in the Wheatbelt area for Intensive Family
Support (IFS) services in 2011–2012
Organisation Number of people
rounded to nearest 5
Perth Home Care Services 10
Wheatbelt Individual and Family Support Association 10
Accessability (formerly Upper Great Southern Family Support
Association)
5
Activ Foundation Inc 5
Baptistcare 5
Elba Inc 5
LAC (self-managing) 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.
Profile—Wheatbelt area
28 │Area profile for comment January 2013 (last updated 11/12/2012)
Area profile for comment January 2013
Table 13: Organisations used by people in the Wheatbelt area for out-of-home
(centre-based) respite in 2011–2012
Organisation
Activ Foundation Inc
Australian Red Cross (Lady Lawley Cottage)
Family Support WA
i.d.entity.wa
Midwest Community Living Association Inc
Multiple Sclerosis Society
Pilbara and Kimberley Care Inc
The Centre for Cerebral Palsy
Wheatbelt Individual and Family Support Association
Source: DSC 2012 (refer to footnote 6).
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.
Profile—Wheatbelt area
29 │Area profile for comment January 2013 (last updated 11/12/2012)
Area profile for comment January 2013
Table 14: Organisations used by people in the Wheatbelt area for flexible respite in
2011–2012
Organisation
Activ Foundation Inc
Community Vision Inc
Kids' Camps Inc
Multiple Sclerosis Society
Perth Home Care Services
Rise (formerly Hills community support group (Inc))
Rocky Bay Inc
Valued Independent People
Wheatbelt Individual and Family Support Association
Source: DSC 2012 (refer to footnote 7).
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.
Profile—Wheatbelt area
30 │Area profile for comment January 2013 (last updated 11/12/2012)
Area profile for comment January 2013
Table 15: Organisations used by people in the Wheatbelt 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
Family Planning WA
Independent Living Centre
Source: DSC 2012.
Key:
ECI Early childhood intervention BSI Behaviour specialist intervention
SAI School-aged intervention Other Equipment and other targeted services, relationships
AI Adult intervention
Table 16: Organisations providing Australian Disability Enterprise (ADE) services in or
near the Wheatbelt area
Organisation
Activ Narrogin
Source: Australian Government, Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and
Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) 2012.
Profile—Wheatbelt area
31 │Area profile for comment January 2013 (last updated 11/12/2012)
Area profile for comment January 2013
Chart 4: Numbers of people accessing services per 1,000 head of population,
comparing the Wheatbelt area to state-wide in 2011–2012.
Registered
with LAC
Shared
supported
accommod.
Individualised
community
living
ATE/PSO IFS
Wheatbelt 4.13 0.11 0.38 1.05 0.46
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 Wheatbelt 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.
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
5
Number of people by 1,000 head of population
Wheatbelt State-wide
Profile—Wheatbelt area
32 │Area profile for comment January 2013 (last updated 11/12/2012)
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.
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
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
Profile—Wheatbelt area
33 │Area profile for comment January 2013 (last updated 11/12/2012)
Area profile for comment January 2013
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.
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).
Profile—Wheatbelt area
34 │Area profile for comment January 2013 (last updated 11/12/2012)
Area profile for comment January 2013
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:
Table 16: Commission-funded service types and the related ACDC reporting categories
Service type ACDC reporting categories
Alternatives to Employment and Post
School Options
Alternatives to Employment (ATE)
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.
Profile—Wheatbelt area
35 │Area profile for comment January 2013 (last updated 11/12/2012)
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 Wheatbelt 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).
Profile—Wheatbelt area
36 │Area profile for comment January 2013 (last updated 11/12/2012)
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?