2021-09-07 Services & Organisation Committee Meeting Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                  7 SEPTEMBER 2021


                           Noosa Home Assist Summary YTD Outputs
                                  1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021
      Information & Referral                                  Services provided
         Total clients received info & referral                          1,361
      Home Maintenance/Minor Modifications
         HAS output hours                                                3,103

The above services delivered a total of 3,900 hours of service to clients through Noosa Home
Assist Secure during this period.

3.    STAFFING
A number of staff changes occurred during the year which gave the team the opportunity to
continue to streamline the structure and ensure staff skillsets are utilised as effectively as possible.
Group activities across NCS have operated intermittently between Covid-19 outbreaks and
subsequent restrictions. All other services continued and in some cases, grew, albeit with some
modifications to ensure staff and client safety. Staff who would normally deliver group activities
were reassigned to other NCS tasks and as such did not see a material drop in hours during Covid-
19.
There are no further staffing issues of significance to report.

4.    SYSTEMS, PROCESSES AND OTHER MATTERS
     Whilst group activities were restricted due to Covid-19, our clients continued to receive
      services during their isolation (home visits, telephone welfare checks, home delivery of
      shopping and other supplies).
     It was business as usual for Home Assist Secure and transport services, and in fact the
      demand for these services increased.
     Dementia-specific activities and services continue to be provided for our respite clients.
     All staff and volunteers have been trained in infection control and have adequate access to
      personal protective equipment (PPE) to help manage the risks of Covid-19.
     All guidelines and procedures have been updated to allow for appropriate Covid-19 safety
      measures.
     An operational review of the Home Assist Secure service model and structure has been
      finalised and guidelines and procedures have been updated and implemented accordingly.
     NCS continues to work closely with Council’s Community Development team. Additional
      Ageing Well Noosa fitness classes have been introduced in Cooroy, Pomona, Cooran,
      Noosaville (Noosa Leisure Centre), Tewantin Pool and Peregian Beach. These classes are
      very popular and provide significant benefit to attendees.
     Recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care are being addressed to
      ensure NCS achieves ongoing compliance.
     CHSP funding will be extended through to June 2023, however the format of the funding may
      change somewhat (there is a proposed shift to a payment in arrears funding model). Beyond
      June 2023 there is a proposed new funding model called ‘Support at Home’ which NCS is
      currently investigating to determine how we can remain competitive within a changed funding
      landscape. CHSP funding comprises approximately 86% of total funding for NCS; HAS
      funding currently runs through to June 2023.

5.    FUTURE DIRECTION
     NCS will continue to work closely with Carers Gateway who provide financial and emotional
      support to carers. NCS has provided a counselling room to be used by a Carers Gateway
      social worker and counsellor. The impact of Covid-19 on carers has become highly evident


                                                                                        Page 36 of 55