- Home
- About Us
- Membership
- Learning & Professional Development
- Mature Workers Matter Resource
- Publications
- Useful Links
Members login
Aged & Community Services
SA & NT Inc©
246 Glen Osmond Road,
Fullarton SA 5063
Phone: (08) 8338 7111
Fax: (08) 8338 7077
Disclaimer & Privacy Statements
web design by 
News Bites
Volume 2 Issue
5 – August 2009
Please note some of the articles provided will have additional papers which can be downloaded, or you will be directed to another website page. In some cases these documents are linked to the ACS Members Only section of this website and will require a Username and Password. All members have been issued with a Username and Password. If you have not received this please contact Gretta Koch with your contact details and she will issue you with your access details.
Index
Impact of the economic downturn on not-for-profit organisations
Pricewaterhouse Coopers, the Fundraising Institute of Australia and the Centre for Social Impact recently released the results of a survey examining the effects of the global economic downturn on Australian not-for-profit organisations.
The report, Managing in a downturn: A comprehensive survey of the impact of the economic downturn on not-for-profit organisations, provides information on the extent not-for-profit organisations are affected by the present economic climate and the various strategies they are undertaking to address these challenges.
A summary of findings of the report is available for ACS members.
Employee Ombudsman Researching Independent Contractors in Community Services Sector
If you engage independent contractors as Carers or Support Workers, the Office of the Employee Ombudsman may contact you. They have received funding from SafeWork SA to research the occupational health safety and life/work balance of independent contractors providing supports to people in their homes.
They will be particularly listening to the stories and experiences of Carers and Support Workers to identify what OHS &W provisions have been implemented, what risk assessment processes are in place and who is taking responsibility for putting in the necessary controls to minimise risks in the community. The Office will enquire about the level of training provided and received in an effort to determine if independent contractors working in the sector have the necessary resources available to them to work safely within the community.
Contact Andrew Farrell, Office for the Employee Ombudsman, telephone 8207 1970 for further information. If you are contacted by the Employee Ombudsman’s Office, your feedback about the process would be appreciated. Contact Carol Mohan, ACS, telephone 8338 7111.
Plans to improve health services
Three new plans to improve health services for older South Australians, those affected by stroke and people receiving palliative care have been published.
The SA Stroke Service Plan, Health Service Framework for Older People and Palliative Care Services Plan continue the reforms that began with the release of the SA Health Care Plan in 2007.
ACS Committee update: Finance
The Aged & Community Services SA & NT Inc (ACS) Finance Committee is one of five advisory committees reporting to and working with the ACS Board. The Committee structure assists ACS in advocating and representing members’ needs at the state and national levels.
The Finance Committee monitors and identifies key initiatives that relate to financial matters that affect the aged care sector. The Committee provides advice on accounting standards and policies; taxation and other legislative changes.
Key initiatives for the new financial year focus on:
- Assisting and supporting the sector with the effective implementation and ongoing monitoring of ACFI
- Monitoring the impact of State and Commonwealth Government funding to assist with lobbying aimed at resolving long term funding inadequacies
- Reviewing capital funding issues and monitoring the impacts of changes by the Commonwealth Government
Should you wish to find out more about the Finance Committee please contact Darren Birbeck, Chair, on (08) 8407 5151 or Eileen King, ACS Management Support Officer, on (08) 8338 8010.
Public input sought for complaints review
The Australian Government is seeking public input on its review of the operation of the Aged Care Complaints Investigation Scheme.
The review is considering aspects of the CIS including:
- The processes, practices and the timeliness of responses to complaints;
- Communication between the CIS and stakeholders including residents and their families, staff and aged care providers;
- The training provided to investigators;
- Investigators’ access to clinical and investigative expertise;
- The framework used for the escalation of complaints;
- Information collection and consideration; and
- The relationship between the CIS, the Aged Care Commissioner, the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency Ltd, and other relevant bodies.
A Consultation Paper is available on the Department of Health and Ageing website.
ACS will be forwarding submissions regarding both community and residential care; please contact Peta Braendler (Community Services Manager) or Neville Stephens (Residential Care Manager) with your comments.
National Rental Affordability Scheme Round 3 – Update
Round 3 will be announced in two phases during August and September 2009. The first phase will be linked to the Economic Stimulus Package grants and State Government-owned land projects (ie 15% sale of government land as affordable housing).
The second phase will be 1000 dwellings (institutional developers). There will likely be a fourth round in 2010.
Keep an eye on this website for up-to-date information, or in ACS member communications.
Further queries contact Justin Shadiac, Project Facilitator (SA) for the National Rental Housing Affordability Scheme, Community Partnerships and Growth T(08) 7424 7370
Rural & Remote providers: attend the ACSA National Conference for free!
- Registration
- Dinner ticket
- Airfare
- Accommodation
could be yours…
If you are a rural and remote, including indigenous, service provider and would like the opportunity to attend the upcoming National Conference as a sponsored delegate then apply now!
Register now for your chance to win morning tea with Li Cunxin!
ACSA is keen to ensure you don't miss out on an exciting, vibrant and informative event.
All delegates registered by Friday 14 August 2009 will be entered into a draw to win the opportunity to have morning tea with Li Cunxin, acclaimed author of Mao's Last Dancer, and keynote presenter at the Conference.
Li Cunxin is a remarkable man borne of a remarkable story. Li's journey is how one moment in time changed the course of a Chinese peasant boy's life in dramatic and unimaginable ways. His story takes us from the bitter poverty of his childhood to defection in the United States and dancing at the highest international standard.
The registration brochure, including the program, is available on the Conference website. To register online, please click here.
Rehabilitation and return to work coordinators training - final course
Do you still have a need for Rehabilitation and Return To Work Coordinator training? Celtic Training will be running an additional course from 10th to 12th August. They plan to deliver both the one-day and three-day courses at that time. For ACS members the 1-day cost is $225 +GST and the 3-day cost is $650 +GST.
If you have a requirement please ring David asap on 8211 8272.
2009 DisAbility and Ageing Expo - Friday 14 August 2009
9.45 am-4 pm
Adelaide Events and Exhibition Centre, Jubilee Pavilion
Goodwood Rd, Wayville, SA
Official Opening by 5AA’s Tony Pilkington at 9.45 am.
There will be over 180 exhibitors available to answer questions, provide information and assistance and demonstrate products. The Expo provides the latest information on a wide range of services in one accessible location.
Entry to the Expo is free, and there is free parking on-site. During the day there will be free entertainment and a Kid’s Craft Workshop.
There are still opportunities for members to have a stall at the Expo. For further information contact Disability Information and Resource Centre Phone: (08) 8236 0555
A Quality Celebration and Networking Event – Monday 24 August
The South Australian Branch of the Australian Association for Quality in Health Care (AHQC (SA)) is celebrating its 20th year in provision of professional development in quality, continuous improvement and like topicsas well asnetworking opportunitiesfor peers in Health, Aged Care, Disability and other interested sectors.
You are invited to the 20 Year Celebration for AQHC (SA) on Monday 24 August to network with colleagues and present and past members.
If you are interested, please send all RSVPs to Annabel Holliss, phone 8274 6050 by Tuesday 18 August.
Dying to know . . . how to maintain control of your medical care at the end of life – Tuesday 25 August
9.30 am
Berry Funeral Directors
198-204 Magill Rd, Norwood
The Palliative Care Council of SA's next public forum is "Dying to know... how to maintain control of your medical care at the end of life".
Veterans Health Week Expo – Wednesday 26 August
10 am–3 pm
Torrens Parade Grounds
War Memorial Drive
This event will be a fun day out for all family and friends of Veterans. There will be free on site parking, give-aways, exhibitions and free health checks.
Please click here for a poster to print off and put in your workplace, or to send to veterans you have contact with.
For more information please contact the Veterans Advisory Network on 82900301.
Health Professionals' Role in Advance Directives for People with Dementia
Adelaide – September & October 2009
Session 1: ‘The Window of Opportunity’ (3 hours)
Session 2: ‘Putting it into Practice – the Role of Health Professionals’ (3 hours)
(Note: Session 1 is a prerequisite for Session 2. Places for Session 2 are capped at 40.)
The course is available to health professionals from a variety of disciplines including nurses, physios, occupational therapists, and social workers.
There is no cost to participants. Find out more.
Arts, Ageing & Creativity Conference - Registration Brochure now available!
22–23 October 2009
Adelaide Convention Centre
View the Registration Brochure here.
Diary Date: Admissions information session, Tuesday 22 September 2009 at the Adelaide Pavilion
Please mark this session in your diary; it will provide information for families on your waiting list and an opportunity to have a free trade display.
Diary Date: RVA & ACS 9th Annual Retirement Living Conference - Friday 21 May 2010
Adelaide Pavilion
Friday 21 May 2010
Further details TBA
ACS Training courses in August
Attention Admissions Managers-Residential Care
Acs is holding a second Understanding Aged Care Admissions . . . will I have to sell my house? evening.
Your waiting list clients:
If possible, please consider circulating this flyer to your new resident enquiries families and existing clients on the waiting list who would benefit from such a session.
The inaugural session in February was really well received by the 35 individuals and families who attended. We are hoping to increase the number of attendees and continue to raise the profile of ACS members through the member display
Showcasing your facilities:
The four providers who took up the offer in February found the evening useful to chat to attendees and also to further their own Admissions Manager-colleague network and discuss variations etc.
Please register with Kellie Kulinski if you wish to have a free display on the night. If you would like to find out more come along to a morning tea at ACS on Tuesday 18 August, 9 - 10.30 am.
Further information: Kellie Kulinski 8338 8004
NEW DALE CARNEGIE Course: How to Build Trust, Credibility and Respect - Wednesday 19 August
Explore how you can cultivate a safe environment for learning that fosters employee growth and commitment. Learn how you can transform a fearbased environment into one where people feel acknowledged and appreciated. Gain skills that will help you break the cycle of distrust and rebuild the relationship. Create a high-trust, high-performance workplace where employees participate willingly and enthusiastically.
Time: 9 am-4.30 pm
Venue: ACS Training Room
The ACS member cost for Dale Carnegie seminars is $297 per person - a significant discount on the cost of public Dale Carnegie seminars. ACS is offering additional savings for member organisations that register three or more individuals in any one course - $276 per person. All prices include GST.
NEW: Personal Safety & Managing Conflict Situations in Residential Care - Tuesday 24 August
Attention: site managers, directors of care, RNs, ENs, care workers, lifestyle and leisure staff, hospitality and kitchen staff, maintenance staff, team leaders, coordinators, case managers, allied health, respite care staff, customer service and administration staff and volunteers.
The course offers unique models to provide practical solutions for assessing risk as it unfolds and signalling non-aggression, and is supported by a detailed participant workbook. As this workshop is highly interactive, numbers are limited to 12 participants.
Time: 9 am-4.30 pm
Venue: ACS Training Room
NEW Introducing Aged Care - Wednesday 26 August
When you are new, aged care can be a confusing sector to work in! This session will provide you with an understanding of the key components of aged care, and information about current issues affecting the sector:
- Background to aged care
- Cultural awareness
- Legislation; Acronyms
- Current issues in aged care
- Community care; Residential care; Housing; Better Practice
- Key agencies resources and links
Time: 9 am-12.30 pm
Venue: ACS Training Room
Upcoming RDNS clinical courses
ACS is delighted to provide members with information about upcoming RDNS clinical courses and education events.
View a selection of RDNS’ upcoming clinical courses. Please register directly with RDNS via the links to the flyers in the pdf document.
Statewide Appliance Spares and Distributors specials
Statewide Appliance Spares and Distributors is the official Speed Queen Laundry supplier in South Australia. We also distribute commercial Vacuum Cleaners, Polishers, Scrubbers and Sweepers.
As a long standing member of Aged and Community Services we are committed to providing the best products at the best prices and we back this up with our quality spare parts and service.
Feel free to come and inspect our goods at our display outlet at 178 Sturt Street Adelaide.
Statewide Spares can also supply all your spare parts requirements for most major electrical brands such as LG, Panasonic, Fisher & Paykel, Whirlpool, Hitachi, Speed Queen washers and dryers, Maytag, Samsung, Mitsubishi, Electrolux, Sanyo, Miele, Sharp, Nilfisk and many more. We also have a large range of non genuine parts.
So if you require any fridge seals, shelves, remote controls, vacuum bags, elements, hoses or any spare parts, call 0882313369 or email or visit our new website for a comprehensive list of companies and products or come and visit us at 178 Sturt Street Adelaide.