REPORT - Kurrajong Waratah

ACCOMMODATION SERVICES
Mr Cannon Banks
ACCOMMODATION SERVICES MANAGER
(Team B & C)
Accommodation Teams B & C
This year has certainly been busy for Adult
Accommodation as a whole and for Team B and
Team C it wasn’t hard to be caught up in the
turbulence of significant change.
In November 2009, NSW ADHC funded Kurrajong
Waratah to run a two year staff development
project called People for People (P4P). This
project provided opportunities for Management
and Team Leader changes for Teams B & C.
These changes were part of an overall
reconfiguration of Adult Accommodation due to
two new houses being built. The opportunity to
restructure adult accommodation teams through
a very comprehensive and extensive process
involved clients, families and staff.
Team B has established itself and is really taking
a strong hold on how it runs as a whole, with
routines being changed and varied to suit clients’
needs. Team B is running smoothly and the
clients are really getting the best service from this
reconfiguration change.
As an example, six clients had the opportunity to
be able to go on a holiday to Batemans Bay. They
enjoyed a five day short break on the coast which
included a range of activities such as taking part
in leisurely strolls along the beach, visits to Mogo
Zoo and other local attractions. I would like to
thank all staff who assisted in the implementation
of this worthwhile event. It is only financially
possible to offer such opportunities with staff
support to flexibly reshuffle staffing resources in
our other houses.
Team C has also had an eventful year, obviously
with the changes which occurred in October being
the main focus. Staff training in regards to clients’
health needs has been a major area of central
interest. Team C houses a number of clients with
particularly high support requirements, which as
a result have meant updating all comprehensive
health assessment programs so as to maintain
and provide the highest possible care.
With a particular client entering Team C, we
explored a range of options in alternative living
and commuting opportunities. The successful
implementation of this goal has given the client a
healthier lifestyle and encourages a more active
participation in everyday movements to work.
Staff are to be thanked for their ongoing help and
enthusiasm of this goal.
We have had the opportunity, in line with P4P
project to put into service a Lifestyle Environment
Review for a particular client. This enabled the
staff of the client to focus on decisions from an
‘important for’ and ‘important to’ perspective.
The program allowed staff to view their workplace
with fresh eyes, establishing new goals and
reassessing what is important to the client. There
has been a wonderful positive response from staff
in support of the program and the benefits of it
for their work. More importantly, the client has
reestablished contact with family members due to
the program and has regular reaffirmation of their
value.
It has been a sincere pleasure to partake in such
a successful year for this valuable organisation.
I would particularly like to acknowledge and
recognise the contributions made by staff and the
support and encouragement of management. My
thanks are especially extended to my committed
and hard working Team Leaders and staff of
Teams B and C.
Cannon Banks
Accommodation Services Manager
(Team B & C)
Staff training in regards
to clients’ health needs
has been a major area of
central interest.
Photos:
TOP: Travelling independently to work or
their day service is extremely important to
many group home residents and Lorraine
Pitman knows just what she has to do.
CENTRE: Keeping fit and active is an
important part of life for everyone and Helen
Makeham gets some added exercise at
Primage.
BOTTOM: Jade Ballantyne and Libby Biar
looked just the part at the fancy dress
dance held at Young. Disability services
across the Riverina host and support regular
dances which provide people with disability
opportunities to socialize and keep regular
contact with friends they have made over
the years.
28 www.kurrajongwaratah.org.au
www.kurrajongwaratah.org.au
29