A shake-up of disability services in Sutherland Shire continues ahead of the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) starting in south-east Sydney on July 1.
In the latest move, New Era Independent Living Centre, which operates the Multi-Purpose Centre at Sutherland, has integrated its services with the much large provider, Civic Disability Services.
New Era members voted unanimously on the integration, which will be complete by the end of April
New Era was founded 30 years ago by parents, who joined together to provide arts and crafts activities for their adult children with disability.
In 1983, the community raised funds to build a centre in Sutherland, and in 1985, the Multi-Purpose Centre in Flora Street was officially opened.
Civic is also a product of the shire, founded by parents in the 1950s, but has since spread across NSW.
In a joint statement, Civic and New Era said he South East Sydney region was expected to see growth of up to 79 per cent in demand for services under the NDIS.
This factor, along with the additional technology and process requirements of the NDIS, put additional pressures on many smaller organisations.
“Civic has already experienced the transition of the NDIS with their locations in the Hunter, Nepean Blue Mountains and South West Sydney regions,” the statement said.
“There are strong synergies between the New Era program and Civic’s service offerings with similar mission and values.
“New Era primarily operates a community hub for adults with moderate intellectual disabilities based in Sutherland.
“New Era clients and employees will now operate under the Civic banner and have access to Civic’s expanded service offering.”
Civic chief executive Annie Doyle said she was “excited to welcome the clients, staff and families of New Era into the Civic family’.
“The New Era hub offers an amazing range of activities which Civic are delighted to leverage, while extending greater choice, security and support to enter the NDIS,” she said.
Greg Gibbens, president of the committee of management of New Era said the integration was “a win-win outcome for both organisations”.
The statement said more opportunities would be available for both service users and staff, while Civic would bring a professional management structure that was necessary for navigating the NDIS environment.
Civic would continue to provide high quality accommodation, health, personal care, learning and employment services as well as advice, support and community engagement opportunities for people with disability and mental health conditions across the Greater Sydney area.
