FWS Annual Report 2014/15

Community Solutions
Employment Services
Social Enterprises
1300 fws org
fws.org.au
2014-2015 Annual Report
Annual Report Print Final.indd 1
12/10/2015 3:31:50 PM

Our Mission:
To lead the disability employment
services industry through quality
service provision & innovative
business development.
Our Vision:
Through employment
participation, FWS will make a
difference to the lives of people &
communities.
Our Values:
Social inclusion
Innovation
A skilled workforce
Building Relationships
Transparency & Accountability
Sustainability
Success
message
2
Annual Report Print Final.indd 2
12/10/2015 3:31:50 PM

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN
After a challenging period of adjustment and adaptation, 2014 -2015 has seen a
pleasing improvement in FWS’ performance.
Chairnan’s Report
This is my first annual report as Chairman of FWS,
since I was elected to replace Elizabeth Hemphill
who stepped down in March 2015, to pursue
her career interstate. My short stint at the helm
has reinforced my admiration for the staff and
management of FWS, and my conviction that FWS
makes an important and valuable contribution to
the social fabric of the areas of South Australia in
which we operate.
Over the last few years the Board has had to make
some difficult choices in order to get FWS on a
stable foundation. However, thanks to the efforts
of the CEO and all the staff and management, we
are confident that the organisation is now well
placed to meet the challenges and opportunities
that will arise with the roll out of the NDIS and
other changes foreshadowed for the disability
sector.
I am pleased to report that during the past year
we successfully completed the first phase of our
2015 – 2020 strategic planning. Investigation
among our stakeholders shows that Finding
Workable Solutions has a strong brand presence
and a very good reputation in the industry, and
indeed this has been recognised by several awards
and commendations. Over the coming year we
will build on this brand awareness and reputation,
and we are well into the stakeholder consultation
phase of strategic planning and focussed on
accelerating our priority initiatives.
The Finance Committee continues to improve
our financial reporting standards and to carefully
monitor our financial performance while the Risk
and Audit Committee have also worked hard
to transform our internal policies and practices
according to the highest legal and accreditation
standards.
As our operational performance substantially
improves, so does our capacity to support our
client base. We hope all who have interacted with
us are better placed to make their lives stronger
and in turn, contribute further to the community
and environment.
I would like to thank all of our Board members and
committed staff as well as Management for their
service and guiding our ongoing success.
Over the past year there have been some changes
at the board level, with Elizabeth Hemphill
and Danielle Jiranek leaving to pursue other
interests. We convey our thanks and best wishes
to them both. We were fortunate to recruit
new directors Mark Hordacre, Bob Warner and
David Williams. All new directors are carefully
chosen to enhance and complement the skills
and experience of the Board, and the increasing
effectiveness of the Board over the last few years
demonstrates the value of this approach. The
Board conducts regular assessments of Board
performance (including assessment of the Chair!)
and I am committed to continuing to improve
our governance standards, benchmarked against
National best practice guidelines.
David Saint
Chairman
3
Annual Report Print Final.indd 3
12/10/2015 3:31:52 PM

Employment Services
Berri
Clovelly Park
Kingscote
Morphett Vale
Victor Harbor
Document Destruction
Mt Barker
Victor Harbor
In Stitches
Mt Barker
Fleurieu Lawns & Gardens
Victor Harbor
Hardwaste Pickup Services
Adelaide Hills
Mid Murray
Salvage & Save
Brinkley
Elizabeth
Goolwa
Windmill Hill
South Coast Firewood
Victor Harbor
Youth Services
Kingscote
Berri
our year
4
5 6
Annual Report Print Final.indd 4
12/10/2015 3:31:52 PM

THE YEAR AT A GLANCE
This year we have continued to provide a high quality service to our customers,
clients and stakeholders in an increasingly competitive market.
Chairnan’s Report
In this context, I am very pleased to report that we
have turned the organisation around from making
significant losses and are on track to a promising
future.
There have been many stand out achievements for
the year including the successful improvements
of our Employment Services team, as well as the
continuing efforts of Social Enterprises and the
emerging Community Services work. These have
been made possible by the work of our Board
and support from the Corporate Services team.
The investment in developing our Governance
framework has positioned us to deliver on needs
shaped by industry developments as well as
meeting our legislative obligations. I have worked
with the board and management to sharpen the
organisational systems, decision making and risk
management which has assisted in lifting overall
performance. The work of our Safety, Health,
Environment and Quality (SHEQ) Committee has led
to significant operational improvements and has
had a demonstrable impact on our practises within
these, as well as broader service delivery areas.
Lifting our profile has been achieved through
numerous awards, media and sector recognition
including being awarded second place in the large
business division of nationally recognised Social
Enterprise awards. FWS has revamped our online
presence this year with a new FWS website and a
second website dedicated to our Salvage & Save
retail recycling business.
Without detracting from the treasurers’ report; a
summary of the audited financial results for the
organisation are pleasing and contained in the
back of this annual report. We have significantly
increased our client expenditure from the previous
years and continue to serve our values as well as
the purpose of the organisation. FWS has a long
road ahead but we continue to take steps into a
bright and prosperous future.
I am are truly fortunate to have such a dedicated
board, staff and community members who
support our programs and future development.
I would like to thank everyone who has worked
hard to assist us to deliver on our strategic aims
and look forward to continuing to serve our
organisation.
The next cyclic phase of our strategic planning
process is due to commence, but we have already
begun to embraced the tone and flavour of our
Board’s strategic future directions and have made
progress into reinvigorating projects within all parts
of the organisation. I hope that we may broaden
FWS’ mission and vision of the organisation and
begin to expand into new areas of disability service
delivery. This will provide our participants with
greater choices and control as well as FWS with a
leverage point for continuing to provide new and
innovative services for our clients, funded under the
new future of the NDIS.
Wojtek Swietek
CEO
7
5
Annual Report Print Final.indd 5
12/10/2015 3:31:52 PM

Testimonial
“I would like to thank two members
of your team at Goolwa Salvage. I was
looking for an item that was not readily
available. However, rather than leave me
in limbo, after some discussion, Michelle
suggested one of your other depots.
At this point, Jody helpfully rang the
other depot, found they had the item and
reserved it till I got there the following
day. This was a good display of initiative
and co-operation.
Well done ladies”.
Andrew from Goolwa
operations
6
5 6
Annual Report Print Final.indd 6
12/10/2015 3:31:52 PM

SOCIAL ENTERPRISES
For the first time we have been recognised for the innovative service to
communities on a National level in 2015.
FWS is proud to be among the lead organisations
Chairnan’s in Australia in achieving Report measurable social
and community outcomes contributing to the
development of the social enterprise sector. Our
Supported Employees enjoy daily contact with
their local community, developing relationships
with our customers, local council and waste
management staff, which is a unique part of the
FWS Social Enterprise business model.
Contributing to our success we recognise that
our dedicated Managers and Supervisors work
ethic over the past year has been outstanding,
as they strive to build a work place that values
people’s abilities and still deliver a service to the
community that addresses environmental and
economic solutions.
This year we saw the expansion of our social
media, with a strong presence on Facebook,
Gumtree, Buy Swap Sell and eBay for our recycled
and up-cycled items. FWS currently has over 3500
friends on our Facebook sites and has introduced
a new Salvage & Save website. South Coast
Firewood has undergone a mini facelift with a new
logo and facebook page.
Relationships with the various local councils
continues to grow with a successful partnership
with Alexandrina Council for a Work for the Dole
project, Charles Sturt Council for Junky to Funky
exhibition, City of West Torrens showcasing
our wicking beds at the Rain Garden expo and
Burnside Council for the Peppertree Gallery
exhibition. Adelaide Hills Council continues to
support FWS with the ongoing hard waste pickup
service which is slowly expanding with a short trial
for the Mid Murray Council area.
KESAB has also partnered with FWS in the
development of their ‘Junk Craft’ kits, that reuses
waste materials from industry to produce craft
packs for schools, providing work for our Mt
Barker Contracts site.
FWS is proud to be an Australian Disability
Enterprise. Our committed staff have maintained
a quality service to both our customers and
supported employees, as we focus on our mission
of ‘quality service provision & innovative business
development’.
7
7
Annual Report Print Final.indd 7
12/10/2015 3:31:55 PM

Testimonial
“We have been using
Finding Workable Solutions for our
staffing requirements for several years.
They have provided us with the right staff
for not only our kitchen, but also our
horticulture operations.
What has been most helpful is their level
of support once the new employee starts,
providing regular visits and calls to ensure
that everything is going smoothly. The
friendly FWS staff have a great approach”.
Mario, Bella Lavender Farm
operations
8
5 6
Annual Report Print Final.indd 8
12/10/2015 3:31:55 PM

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
FWS exists to provide employment opportunities for people with disability and this
generates many rewards as individuals successfully transition to the workforce and
participate productively in their communities.
Chairnan’s Report
FWS’s knowledge and understanding of the
employment services framework for people with
disability is demonstrated via our service delivery
in 2014-2015 via:
• Disability Employment Services
• Employment Support Services
• Disability Management Services
• Australian Disability Enterprises
• Job Services Australia
• Youth (DOHA)
• SA Works Regional Funded Projects
• Centrelink Agency
• Wyatt Projects
In light of the above, our understanding of the
challenges faced by people with a disability,
injury or health condition includes personal,
employability and employer-related barriers.
Strategies to address these challenges is through
our tailored approach to individual needs and
the capacity to focus clearly on each person’s
employment goals, abilities and increase disability
awareness to Employers.
Employment Support Expenditure
Key to supporting our Supported Employees and
Participants is through high quality Employment
Plans with identified goals and timelines.
Intervention and assistance to achieve goals is
provided internally and through other community
agencies and Employers in the regions that
we operate. FWS continues to place a high
importance on our partners/relationships and
the contributions they make within our service
delivery.
During 2014/15 FWS provided additional
intervention through training, unpaid work
experience and paid work trials across all regions
for our participants. Expenditure to address gaps
will always be a feature in our budgets, as without
this support the work preparation and transition
to paid employment would not be possible.
Changes to the participation requirements for
those on a Disability Pension have commenced
towards the end of this financial year and FWS
will implement the necessary changes to support
those new entrants and to meet the needs of the
current economic climate.
7
9
Annual Report Print Final.indd 9
12/10/2015 3:31:55 PM

Testimonial
“I would like to thank FWS for the
assistance they have provided in sourcing
staff for our business. One member
in particular has been assisted with
workplace modifications to allow him to
perform his duties and he has become
a long term valuable team member.
This is just one of the many staff that we
have been able to assist into meaningful
employment through the services offered
by such a passionate and caring company
and we look forward to doing business
will into the future”.
Greg, Vita Foods
training
10
5 6
Annual Report Print Final.indd 10
12/10/2015 3:31:55 PM

COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS
Expansion of our services has resulted in several new programs during 2014-15 in
the Riverland, Murraylands and Fleurieu regions.
FWS was appointed to the Panel of preferred
providers for the Innovative Community Action
Network (ICAN) programme in the Riverland and
Murraylands. This expands our existing Youth
Services (Drug & Alcohol) on Kangaroo Island
which provides activities and education to assist
young people to develop pathways to achieve
goals and to make better choices.
Chairnan’s Report
Youth Services on KI has been a very successful
service and this year is no different with the
introduction of ‘Save a Mate’, a Community
Education program delivered by Red Cross,
in schools and at various sporting clubs. This
program has allowed FWS to have a stronger voice
in the region with an overwhelming response from
parents and carers.
This approach has also been used in the
Murraylands where a Drug & Alcohol education
program was implemented via ICAN project
funding. Working with local schools and agencies
FWS has delivered 1:1 case management support
and group sessions.
Riverland projects has grown substantially with
the introduction of ICAN case management and
Flexible Learning Options (FLO) via the Glossop
Skills Hub. Several programs have been running in
consultation with schools in the region including
mechanics, horticulture and driver education.
Students have achieved a Certificate II level in
Horticulture and built Powered Long Boards and
Drift Trikes using recycled materials.
Transport for anyone in regional areas can be
a major barrier to employment and for young
people this is often the biggest problem they face
when leaving school.
FWS has introduced two driver education
programs in the Riverland:
• Lets Go Learner
• Right 2 Driver
Lets Go Learner is open to anyone in the
community to achieve their L’s and this program
has a high success rate.
Achieving your L’s is just the first step as building
up your driving hours to gain your P’s can be quite
a challenge for some. The Right 2 Drive program
has been implemented using volunteers who
assist the learner drivers to achieve their hours.
This progam is proving to be very successful but
would not be possible without the dedication of
our fantastic volunteers, who are willing to give up
their time to support our young people.
Assessment and Intervention service is provided
to participants who face many life challenges and
FWS is proud to be working with Dale Elliott who
provides 1:1 or group sessions.
Adult Community Education (ACE) programs
helps to prepare participants for work through
Digital Literacy and Applications for Work, which
continues to be well received.
11
7
Annual Report Print Final.indd 11
12/10/2015 3:31:56 PM

Testimonial
“Finding Workable Solutions have been
providing recruitment services to our
company for over three years. They have
consistently been able to meet our staffing
requirements, provide excellent post
placement support and have shown a
genuine care for our business and staff.
We highly recommend their services”.
Yvonne, Office Choice
feedback
12
5 6
8
Annual Report Print Final.indd 12
12/10/2015 3:31:56 PM

Research to Overcome Barriers
ROBE commenced in 2012 with Uni SA and concludes 2015. This independent research
sought feedback from Employers and their employees who have been FWS participants
or are current participants seeking employment. Critical data collected over 3 years has
informed the sector of key barriers and issues to be addressed.
Chairnan’s Report
Findings were submitted to the Australian Journal
of Social Issues for the paper Shaping attitudes with
a National Disability Insurance Scheme. Reviewer
comments include: This manuscript constitutes a
valuable contribution to our knowledge about the
NDIS - particularly given that the NDIS is in it’s early
stages. The topic also makes a useful contribution to
public debate on social policy concerning NDIS.
Key findings to date include:
• Recommendations for policy makers to incentivise
transitionary sheltered employment so that People
with Disabilities (PWD) interact with community
(“Tyranny Of Fit” research paper under review with
journal of Social Policy and Administration)
• Recommendations for employment service
providers to target non - and “light buyers” rather
than their loyal employers, to increase spread
of PWDs in mainstream employment (“Hope”,
research paper accepted for publication 2016
Journal of Social Policy and Society)
• Recommendations that metrics of policy
and performance outcomes avoid reliance
on community awareness, as increase
in awareness have not translated into
workforce participation of PWDs (decline
in employer hiring behaviour) & (Shaping
attitudes with a National Disability Insurance
Scheme paper being revised for resubmission
to Australian Journal for Social
Issues).
• Recommend that policy makers reward
service provider investment in research
as people with disabilities with little
community participation are extremely
responsive to researchers and appreciate
the opportunity research presents to having
their views and experiences be heard (Paper
in draft form).
• Recommendations that policy makers reward
employment service providers for results in
mainstream work placements rather than only
sustained work with a single employer (13, 26
or 52 weeks) or provide long term support for
employers to overcome resistance to hire (“Hope”
research paper accepted for publication 2016
Journal of Social Policy and Society & help wanted
paper accepted for publication 2016 Journal of
Employment Counselling)
• Recommendations that employment service
providers encourage clients to mingle in their
community, rather than just target employers
to increase frequency of interactions between
clients and employers (paper in draft form) &
useful contribution to public debate on social
policy concerning NDIS. I believe the paper can and
should be published by Australian Journal of Social
Issues pending major revisions.
Dr Liz Hemphill
15 7
13
Annual Report Print Final.indd 13
12/10/2015 3:31:59 PM

Our thanks to those
who support us
Department of Employment
Department of Social Services
Department for Health and Ageing
Regional Development Australia - Murraylands and
Riverland
Regional Development Australia - Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu
and Kangaroo Island
Adelaide Hills Regional Waste Authority (AHRWA)
Fleurieu Regional Waste Authority (FRWA)
Northern Adelaide Waste Management Authority
(NAWMA)
Australian Research Council
Uni SA
Adelaide Hills Council
Alexandrina Council
Rural City of Murray Bridge
KESAB
Mount Barker Council
Wyatt Foundation
Staff and Volunteers
Clients
Customers
governance
14
5 6
8
Annual Report Print Final.indd 14
12/10/2015 3:31:59 PM

OUR BOARD
Chairnan’s Report
Professor David Saint
Chair
David Williams
Deputy Chair
Rob Rabone
Treasurer
Finance committee
Loretta Polson
Audit & Risk Committee
Ralph Kogler
Chair Audit & Risk Committee
Mark Hordacer
Finance Committee
Lisa Smith
Bob Warner
Rob Day
15
15 7
Annual Report Print Final.indd 15
12/10/2015 3:32:07 PM

Treasures report
The following pages contain extracts from the financial
statements for Finding Workable Solutions Inc. for the
2014-2015 Financial Year. The full financial statements
have been audited by approved auditors Dean & Associates
(Chartered Accountants) and are available on request from
the Finance Department.
The finance committee has put a budget in place
which shows a positive position for 2015-2016. We
are confident that we can manage within this budget
and acheive the positive outcome, but we all must
be vigilant and ensure we obtain maximum income
without incurring additional costs.
The result for the year ended 30 June 2015 was a
disappointing loss of $75,062. However, this result was
a dramatic turnaround from the previous year and was
lessened by some $200,000 which was repaid to the
government through the 2014-2015 year as a result of
incorrect claims in previous years. The organisation
became a leaner and more controlled one, but
unfortunately a couple of areas of expenditure escaped
our scrutiny and led to our disappointing loss. Despite
unsatisfactory results in the last two years, the organisation
still has a healthy balance sheet with near to $3,000,000 in
net assets.
16
Annual Report Print Final.indd 16
12/10/2015 3:32:07 PM

financial
17
Annual Report Print Final.indd 17
12/10/2015 3:32:07 PM

Audit Report
“Their governance committee
has a strong skills base that has
industry knowledge and undertake
an annual board review to highlight
any areas where training may be
required. There are clear board and
governance policies in place which
are trained to each board member on
commencement. Risk and compliance
sub-committee of the board
meets regularly with the CEO as a
monitoring function”.
Global-Mark Executive summary,
National Disability Audit Report, 2015
quality
18
Annual Report Print Final.indd 18
12/10/2015 3:32:07 PM

AUDIT & RISK
FWS has achieved an ‘outstanding’ result from Global-Mark for Re-Certification for the
National Standards for Disability Services in 2014-15.
There has been significant and noteworthy
progress made throughout this year in raising
the performance standards of FWS in relation to
compliance, quality assurance, risk management
and governance. I wish to thank the committee
members, Loretta Polson, Wojtek Swietek, David
Williams, Katherine Dose and departed Colin
Sharp, who I believe all worked well above their
obligations, in order to make progress on these
fronts.
As a result, FWS recently achieved an
“outstanding” result from its DESQA audit, and
can also now boast a newly created full and
comprehensive set of both Operational and Board,
Policies and Procedures which are uniform in
structure and composition.
Other achievements and milestones throughout
the year include:
• Updating and expanding a company Bushfire
Action plan.
• The A&R committee reviewed the process and
paper trail of 2 important complaints lodged
against FWS and found that the Management
Process was completely appropriate and
without fault.
• A Risk Matrix, along with a suite of Risk
Management Procedures were devised and
implemented with much time and effort spent
on determining Risk Ratings according to
consequences and likelihood.
• A full company “Risk Management Plan” is
currently being created and implemented by
the CEO and staff of FWS.
The A&R committee will resume its cyclical
review of the company P&P’s according to the
Quality Assurance Timetable and plans greater
involvement in Internal Audits, Risk Management
Activities and compliance tasks in the future .
• FWS Deed variations will be reviewed as part
of A&R ongoing charter.
• Providing an on-line mechanism for all
staff to have access to relevant policies and
procedures.
• All staff have undergone “Disability
Awareness” training, as well as “Mandatory
Notification” and “Disability and Diversity”
training as a result of this committees
suggestions.
Ralph Kogler
Chair, A&R Committee
19
Annual Report Print Final.indd 19
12/10/2015 3:32:11 PM

OUR LOCATIONS
Berri
1A Wilson Street
Ph: 08 8582 2832
Brinkley
Brinkley Road
Ph: 08 8531 0391
Clovelly Park
1226 South Road
Ph: 08 8374 2356
Elizabeth
Cnr Peachey & Bellchambers Road
Ph: 08 8287 0565
Goolwa
Victor Harbor Road
Ph: 08 8555 3200
Kingscote
22 Telegraph Road
Ph: 08 8553 3085
Morphett Vale
Suite 1/365 Main South Road
Ph: 08 8186 3588
Mount Barker
1 Victoria Crescent
Ph: 08 8398 3099
Victor Harbor
44-46 George Main Road
Ph: 08 8552 7654
Windmill Hill
Nixon Road
Ph: 08 8388 1837
fws.org.au
Annual Report Print Final.indd 20
12/10/2015 3:32:12 PM