Citizen Advisors - Turning Point

Turning Point Connected Care Report 18
In the absence of the LAC programme (at a per capita cost of $3,316),
the current alternatives to providing support to disabled people would be
non residential services (at a per capita cost of $3,899) or residential
services (at a per capita cost of $61,944).
Criticisms of the LAC model in Western Australia focus on the promotion of the
role and workload of the Local Area Coordinator. For example, consumers felt
that there was a high turnover staff which prevented them from developing
relationships with the coordinator. There were concerns that the high workload
of the coordinator was having a negative impact on the time the Local Area
Coordinators have for direct work with clients. Furthermore, service users
reported that, whilst the overall standard of support was high, there was some
inconsistency in the service provided. Other issues raised included the lack of a
process to manage difficulties or disputes between clients and coordinators,
unrealistic expectations, accessing the service outside business hours and the
partnership opportunities that were not realised. It was also commented that
Local Area Coordinators need to work more collaboratively with other agencies
in order to forge working relationships and gain further knowledge of the local
services available.
Of most significance is the suggestion that there is lack of clarity with regards to
the Local Area Coordinator role. Local Area Coordinators themselves, service
users and other agencies indicated that they are unclear as to exactly what the
role entails and it was suggested that the programme needs to be better
communicated and promoted so as to avoid confusion.
3.2 Scotland
In more recent years the model has been utilised in Scotland to provide support
for people with learning disabilities. There are currently 59 Local Area
Coordinators helping people with learning disabilities in Scotland to enjoy a
fulfilled life in the community.
An evaluation of the LAC model in Girvan, Scotland has indicated that the
service is of vital importance to families. According to the report, people with
learning disabilities and their families view the Local Area Coordinators very
positively and they feel that they are always there to support them. Local Area
Coordinators have assisted people in lots of ways, including finding support and
services, getting a paid job, moving house and meeting new people through
introducing them to groups and social activities.
Stalker et al. (2008), in a study commissioned by the Scottish Executive which
examined the introduction and implementation of LAC in Scotland, found both
strengths and weaknesses in the implementation of the LAC model. They
reported that there was great unevenness across Scotland in the number of
Local Area Coordinators employed by local authorities and in their roles and
remits. Progress in community capacity building was slow overall and some
managers expressed mixed feelings about Local Area Coordinator's usefulness
in a climate of scarce resources.