Profile—South East Metropolitan area

Profile—South East Metropolitan area

Consultation Document

Area profile for comment
January 2013

Consultation document

The Disability Services Commission’s (DSC) vision is that all people live in welcoming communities that facilitate citizenship, friendship, mutual support and a fair go for everyone. To achieve this, Western Australia requires a responsive disability service sector to support people with disability, their families and carers to access more opportunities in the community.

To meet this goal, the Commission in partnership with key stakeholders is creating a Sector Development Plan. Its purpose is:

  • to provide further direction and targeted developmental opportunities across WA
  • to ensure the disability services sector continues to evolve to meet the needs, goals and preferences of people with disability.

Fifteen profile area documents have been created to cover all areas across WA. They combine existing information to create a picture of supports and services that make up the disability sector in each area. It provides a base of information to be validated or challenged by stakeholders.

Feedback will add to our understanding of each area and how well supports and services match people’s needs. The consultation process will identify strengths and gaps in supports provided to people with disability in each area.

Guiding strategic documents

  • Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability (United Nations 2006)
  • Count Me In: Disability Future Directions (DSC 2009)
  • Delivering Community Services in Partnership Policy (Department of Premier and Cabinet 2011)
  • Disability Care and Support Reports (Productivity Commission 2011)
  • Disability Services Commission Strategic Plan 2011–2015
    (DSC 2011)
  • National Disability Agreement (Commonwealth of Australia 2011)
  • National Disability Strategy (Commonwealth of Australia 2009)

The plan will be developed in three phases:

Phase one

  • Describing existing supports and services
  • 15 profile area consultation documents
  • State-wide overview

Phase two

  • Seeking local feedback
  • Identifying strengths and gaps

Phase three

  • Planning and identifying opportunities to improve the sector
  • Developing solutions to address gaps

Have your say

We are seeking feedback from interested stakeholders and have developed a list of questions covering a number of topics for your consideration. A feedback form template has also been provided which may assist you in consolidating your comments. Should you wish to use the template provided you can either complete it electronically or print it and hand write your comments.

Forms can be returned to the Commission by email or post.

  • email the template to
  • post the template to:

Disability Services Commission

Sector Development Plan Feedback

PO Box 441

WEST PERTH WA 6872

The template has been supplied as a helpful tool but it is not compulsory that you use it or answer every question to provide your feedback. Any general comments can be provided to the Commission via email or post using the details above, or they can be provided verbally or by attending a focus group.

To provide feedback another way you can:

  • provide verbal feedback by phoning Sector Development on 9426 9309
  • attend a focus group that will be hosted in local areas (these will be advertised on the web site).

The closing date for feedback will be advertised on the web site.
If you have any questions or require further assistance, please email or phone 9426 9309.

Note about information and data

All efforts have been taken to ensure that the data contained in these profiles is as accurate and contemporary as possible. Specific data limitations are listed throughout the profiles and in Appendix B and users are encouraged to interpret the information with caution.

Location

The south east metropolitan area profile covers about 1,591 square kilometres (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2012b) and includes three local government authorities (LGAs): the Cities of Armadale and Gosnells and the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale. The region stretches from Keysbrook in the south to Kenwick in the north and from the Serpentine River in the west to Mount Cooke in the east. Of the three LGAs, the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdalecovers the largest expanse of land covering about 57 per cent of the total area (ABS 2012b).

Demographics

According to the 2011 Census (ABS 2012b), there is an estimated 186,626 people living in the region and about 57 per cent reside in the City of Gosnells. The south east metropolitan area represents 8.33 per cent of the West Australian population.

A further breakdown of the 2011 Census (ABS 2012b) population figures follows:

  • In the south east metropolitan area there is an estimated total population of 186,626.
  • In the City of Armadale the estimated population is 62,296.
  • In the City of Gosnells the estimated population is 106,584.
  • In the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale the estimated population is 17,746.

The age distribution across the population in the south east metropolitan area is similar to that across Western Australia (ABS 2012b).

According to the Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC) 2009, Small area estimates, an estimated 5,428 (3.4%) of the private dwelling population have a severe or profound core activity limitation (ABS 2012c). In reality most areas do not deviate hugely from 3.1% because the numbers are so small.

Figures from the SDAC are produced from samples which are then generalised to the population—the numbers are referred to as estimates and are to be used as a guide only. Core activities are tasks related to self-care, mobility and communication. People with severe and profound limitations sometimes or always need help and supervision with a core activity, or have difficulty understanding or being understood by family and friends (ABS 2012b) (see Appendix B).

Population characteristics

  • About 34 per cent of the population in this area was born overseas, which is slightly above the WA average of 31 per cent (ABS 2012b).
  • 16 per cent of the population in this area speaks a language other than English at home—this is below the WA average of 21 per cent (ABS 2012b). The percentage is close to the state average in Gosnells (22 per cent) but is significantly less in Armadale and Serpentine-Jarrahdale (ten and four per cent respectively).
  • People who identified as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander in the 2011 Census (ABS 2012b) represent about three per cent of the population in Armadale and Gosnells—which is consistent with the state-wide figure WA (three per cent). The figure is below the state average in Serpentine-Jarrahdale (1.4 per cent).
  • For all LGAs in this profile area, nearly seven per cent of the population provided unpaid assistance to a person with disability—this is consistent with the percentage recorded for the State (ABS 2012b).

The median total household weekly incomes across the south east metropolitan area are consistent with the State figure of $1,415 (ABS 2012b). According to the 2011 Census (ABS 2012b) residents in each LGA recorded the following median total household incomes:

  • The median household income in the City of Armadale is $1,309.
  • The median household income in the City of Gosnells is $1,372.
  • The median household income in the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale is $1,638.

The median weekly rent and housing prices for three bedroom houses in the south east metropolitan area are generally lower than the Perth metropolitan median weekly rental cost of $385 and housing price of $470,000. According to the Real Estate Institute of WA (REIWA 2012) suburbs in the area recorded the following rental costs and housing prices:

  • Armadale, which is located in the City of Armadale, has a median weekly rent of $295 and a median house price of $275,000.
  • Camillo, which is located in the City of Armadale, has a median weekly rent of $300 and a median house price of $282,500.
  • Roleystone, which is located in the City of Armadale, has a median weekly rent of $370 and a median house price of $507,500.
  • Huntingdale, which is located in the City of Gosnells, has a median weekly rent of $355 and a median house price of $375,000.
  • Byford, which is located in the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale, has a median weekly rent of $320 and a median house price of $395,000.
  • Serpentine, which is located in the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale, has a median weekly rent of $395 and a median house price of $535,000.

Rent prices from October–December 2011. House prices based on sales as at 4 May 2012.

There are many other sources of information that could be considered with this area profile document. Information about health services, local government services and education services will enhance the context in which disability sector development is considered. For example, Regional Development Australia has developed a Regional Plan for Perth which can be accessed via rda.gov.au/my-rda/wa.

Tell us what you think

  1. What other information would you like to add about the south east metropolitan area that is not already contained in the profile?

People, families, supports and services

This section describes supports and services people with disability, families and carers accessed in the south east metropolitan profile area in 2011−2012. It includes information about networks and support groups, Commission-funded and provided services and other community services available.

Networks and support groups

People with disability, their families and carers often get practical and moral support from their wider family, friends, neighbours and other families of people with disability. This support is important.

Informal and structured community groups also play a valuable role in supporting and strengthening individuals and families. People and families are often involved within their community in church groups, sports and recreation activities, community networks, mothers’ groups, playgroups, self-help and peer support programs, disability-specific support groups, cultural groups and education and counselling services.

People can access information about local support groups through other community members, the Commission’s Local Area Coordination (LAC) or through information services provided by Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres (CRCC), Carers WA or local government authorities (LGAs).

A sample of groups and organisations providing support in the area includes (Support Groups Association WA 2012):

Boogurlarri Community House Association Inc: A community neighbourhood centre that provides a range of community services including - child care; OSHC; vacation care; 4 year old program; toy library; counselling; advocacy; financial counselling; courses; legal advice; and a parent help centre.

Contact: 9350 6236

WA Special Families: Is a state wide Facebook support group. It is accessed by invite-only and the people able to access it must be a parent of or someone caring for, a person with disability.

Tell us what you think

  1. What other disability or community support groups are available and active in this area?
  2. What other informal community support groups would the area benefit from?

People using Commission-funded and provided services

This section describes people with disability and their families who live in the south east metropolitan area and used Commission-funded and provided supports and services in 2011−2012. It reflects how the Commission defines, organises and funds services at present. It does not provide detail about how well these services are working.

Local information and support for individuals and families

Local Area Coordination (LAC)

Many people with disability and their families access the Commission’s LAC support. LAC works at an individual and community level to support people with disability, their families and carers to participate, contribute and belong in their local communities. It assists people with disability and their families’ access supports and services designed to help them exercise choices in their daily lives. This approach helps to foster independence and the development of skills and abilities that enables them to participate in their community and to pursue a good life.

LAC works directly with individuals and families to provide support that is personalised, flexible and responsive. The cornerstone of the LAC role is building and maintaining effective working relationships that help support individuals and families to pursue their goals and meet their needs. LAC provides local support to children and adults with physical, sensory, neurological, cognitive and/or intellectual disability who are under 65 at the time they first apply for support.

In 2011–2012, 693 people in the south east metropolitan area were registered with LAC according to the Annual Client and Service Data Collection (ACDC) (Disability Services Commission 2012). Of these people:

  • More than 61 per cent were aged between five and 19 (this is consistent with the high numbers of young people registered with LAC across WA).
  • Most lived in Gosnells (369), followed by Armadale (276) and Serpentine-Jarrahdale (48).

Directing supports and services—shared management

Most people with an individualised funding allocation from the Commission have their support managed and provided by a prequalified disability sector organisation. Some people with Community Living or Family Living manage their funding allocation through an agreement with their LAC.

Disability service organisations are encouraged to offer shared management which enables individuals and/or families to have directive control over matters related to their supports and funding. Some people have their funding allocation transferred to them by the organisation and they manage the use of these funds and acquittal in accordance with the shared management agreement.

Where the individual and/or family elect to take on shared management, negotiation occurs between the individual and/or family and the organisation to achieve a shared agreement. This enables each party’s requirements, expectations and responsibilities to be clearly established and subsequently documented in a signed shared management agreement.

Shared management gives those people who want autonomy an opportunity to have greater control. It requires a good relationship between all parties to ensure the right balance of support is provided.

According to the 2011–2012 ACDC (DSC 2012) the following organisations offered shared management in the south east metropolitan area in 2012:

  • Activ Foundation
  • Baptistcare
  • BGSR
  • Cam Can & Associates
  • Family Support WA
  • Interchange
  • Multiple Sclerosis Society
  • My Place
  • One 2 One
  • Perth Home Care Services
  • Rocky Bay
  • The Centre for Cerebral Palsy

Supported living

Supported living describes a type of support provided to people with disability so they can live in their home and community. In WA, it is resourced through individual funding allocated by the Commission. This funding is applied for by the individual (or their family) and is allocated on the basis of priority of need, through the Combined Application Process (CAP), or allocated based on need and planning through the Community Living Program.

Increasingly, this support is provided in ways that allow people greater choice and flexibility.

In 2011−12, 227 people in the south east metropolitan area had a Commission allocated individualised funding package and were supported in shared supported accommodation or an individualised accommodation arrangement (DSC 2012).

Shared supported accommodation

In 2011−12, 169 people in the south east metropolitan area had an individualised funding package for accommodation support and lived in one of 31 shared support accommodation arrangements (group homes) (DSC 2012). This represented about nine per cent of all group homes across the State. Of these 171 people, more than 48 per cent were aged between 40 and 59.

Other information of note includes:

  • Most people were living in City of Gosnells (140), followed by Armadale (31).
  • The Disability Services Commission—Accommodation Services and Nulsen Haven Association Inc. provided most of the shared supported accommodation in this profile area.

Individualised community living (ICL)

In the south east metropolitan area in 2011−12, around 60 people had an individualised funding package for accommodation support and utilised individual community living support and services (DSC 2012). Most of these people live in Gosnells (37) followed by
Armadale (22).

My Place are providing most of the individualised community living support in this area.

Three people in this area have a community living package.

Support to pursue meaningful occupation/lifestyle

This section describes services and supports available for people to pursue meaningful occupation and an active lifestyle. These services tend to be referred to as social participation, alternatives to employment or post-school options and recreation.

Post School Options (PSO) and Alternatives to Employment (ATE) are Commission funded programs intended to support people to pursue meaningful activities during their week. Both programs involve the application and allocation of individualised funding packages to individuals. The PSO program is for individuals of school-leaving age and allocated based on eligibility and support needs. ATE funding can be accessed by adults with disability through the Combined Application Process and is based on eligibility, support needs and priority of need.

In the south east metropolitan area, 175 people received an ATE or PSO allocation in 2011−2012 (DSC 2012):

  • Around 38 per cent were aged between 25 and 39.
  • Most people lived in Gosnells (113), followed by Armadale (53) and Serpentine-Jarrahdale (9).
  • There are many Commission prequalified organisations working with people with ATE and PSO funding allocations in the south east metropolitan area (see
    Appendix A).

Recreation

Eligible people with disability may access support to pursue recreational activities. The Commission contracts and funds organisations to provide recreation support. People contact organisations to find out about eligibility and access to services.

In 2011–2012, 71 people in the south east metropolitan area used recreation support services (DSC 2012):

  • Most of people who accessed recreation services live in Gosnells (49) followed by Armadale (13) and Serpentine-Jarrahdale (9).
  • The Activ Foundation and Inclusion WA were the recreation services used by the largest number of people in the south east metropolitan region.

Support to families