Council’s Aged and Disability Services to transition from July 2022

All Baw Baw Shire Council Aged and Disability Services will be transitioned to alternative, high quality specialist providers from 1 July 2022.  

The decision was made at the Council meeting held Wednesday 24 November and was passed by a unanimous vote from all Councillors.  

Council’s exit from the aged and disability services sector is the result of significant Federal reforms in the wake of the 2018 Royal Commission into the quality and safety of aged care in Australia. The reforms have had a significant impact on funding models and local government’s suitability for delivering aged and disability services.  

The services to be transitioned under this decision include the delivery of meals services, home maintenance, home modifications, social support groups and volunteer programs. They are in addition to the transition of the Home and Community Care Program for Younger People and Care Support programs decided in September 2021 and direct care services decided in March 2020.  

To ensure the transition for existing clients is smooth and seamless Baw Baw Shire Council, together with Latrobe City Council, undertook a comprehensive research project and identified high quality providers in the area capable of delivering a wide range of care services.  

Following this review, Council felt confident in transitioning its services to an existing and well-developed market of high-quality service providers who are available to deliver specialised support to existing clients. 

The information gathered from this research project has been provided to the Commonwealth Government to assist in their selection of the best providers to meet the requirements of the Baw Baw Shire community. 

A decision and subsequent appointment of the confirmed new providers will be determined by the Commonwealth Government in coming months. Council will continue to provide regular updates and guide clients through those decisions and impacts as soon as they become available. 

Council’s main priority has always been, and will continue to be, supporting its resident’s wellbeing and ensuring their ongoing access to quality aged and disability care providers and services.  

Existing clients and their families will be supported to ensure no disruption to the quality and delivery of services they receive. Council’s Aged and Disability Services Team has well developed relationships with their clients and takes pride in the quality and delivery of services they provide. They are committed to providing a seamless transition for clients.   

As a result of the Government-led reforms, Council’s role in the aged and community care sectors will shift towards supporting, advocating and planning to make sure the community continue to receive support they need to enable their independence and involvement within the Shire.  

Council will continue to support all staff impacted by the new arrangements throughout the entire transition period and all impacted staff will receive their full entitlement under the enterprise agreement.  

Quote attributable to Mayor Cr Michael Leaney 

“I would like to acknowledge and thank our wonderful service staff and volunteers who have carried out outstanding service and delivery for the Baw Baw Shire community. On behalf of Council, I formally recognise and thank all the teams, volunteers and staff impacted by this decision and previous service decisions for their exemplary work and service to the community.  

I acknowledge this can be a challenging and uncertain time, however all staff, volunteers, existing clients and their families can be assured Council will continue to support clients with receiving high quality care and support they need going forward." 

Quote attributable to Cr Tricia Jones  

“We want the community to know that all existing clients will be supported as they transition their services to a new provider. All staff impacted will also be supported throughout the transition and will receive their full entitlements.  

Most importantly, I would like to thank all staff, officers and volunteers for their time and service. The support and care they continue to provide is most valued by their clients and the community.”  

Quote attributable to Cr Peter Kostos 

“Council has continued to deliver exceptional, high-quality service for their clients. Council’s departure from the aged and disability services program has been brought upon us by service delivery and funding changes from the State and Federal Government.  

I would like to wholeheartedly thank all our officers who are managing this transition plan and acknowledge and thank the impacted staff. The passion and care they display towards their clients is immeasurable and I hope they can continue delivering this care and service with the alternative providers in the future.”