CEO Update 7 July

I hope you are well and not suffering too harshly from the Melbourne Winter Chills (MWC); at least we have been able to enjoy some Winter sunshine, and when compared to our northern neighbours we (I) certainly have nothing to complain about in weather terms at least.

Good news from the NDIA and newly installed Minister for the NDIS, Bill Shorten last week with the release of the new NDIS Price Guide for 2022/23.  Contrary to recent years where participant packages were not increased, all packages have been increased by an average of 9% reflecting the above CPI increased approved for service providers.  This is an important reversal of previous policy and will contribute to participants’ capacity to fund their chosen activities through their NDIS package.

The Minister has also brought forward to the end of this year a formal review of the NDIS.  Bayley House will contribute to this review through our peak body, National Disability Services (NDS).  It remains our belief that the full promise of the NDIS is not being fulfilled for participants due to inconsistent planning, poor participant engagement and understanding, inadequate pricing and inefficient, resource intensive business practices across the NDIS.  We are encouraged by the Minister’s commitment to engaging with service providers as part of the review and codesign process and look forward to participating to improve outcomes for people with intellectual disability through this review of the scheme.

As always there are exciting things happening at Bayley House and I want to take this opportunity to draw your attention to some of the things which warrant our undivided focus in 2022/23 –

1. Reinvigorating Short Stay (STA); families are returning to Short Stay strongly and we have recently invested in a major renovation of our Lonsdale St property. We know how important this service is for clients and families and intend to significantly expand the number who are regular users
2. Bayley Arts; construction delays have set this project back a little but the vision remains strong and focused! Construction is underway and we will be working hard to ensure that the facility is not just up and running but thriving in the last quarter of this year.  We literally cannot wait to share this wonderful venture with everyone!
3. Community Leisure and Recreation (CLR) realignment; CLR has successfully managed through COVID and has been heavily booked in recent months. The team have successfully delivered some wonderful outcomes for our clients.  The existing structure though has not proven ideal and moving forward, CLR activities will be delivered through Day Programs and also, to a lesser degree, through Home & Living via both Short Stay and In Home Support.  Keep an eye on the Bayley House website for details

Penny Scott, who returned to Bayley House earlier this year, will lead a project to oversee the evolution of both Short Stay and Bayley Arts.  These are major projects for Bayley House and Penny will bring the experience and skill necessary to ensure that they both reach their potential.

In other news, Natarsha Warren will be back as GM Day Programs, but not until early 2023.  We wish Natarsha well in her extended parental leave and will be excited to see her back in the new year.  In the meantime we are engaged in an internal process to select someone to steer the Good Ship Day Programs until that time.

In other good news, Shaun Spence who commenced as Director of Philanthropy and Fundraising last year, has delivered a remarkably strong result for Bayley House.  We have been highly successful in grant funding for Bayley Arts in particular, the Ian Hyman lunch two weeks ago was hugely successful, and both the Christmas (Concert of Dreams) Appeal and the Tax (Advocate4Change) Appeals have delivered record results.  Shaun would be the first to say (correctly) that it is a team effort, but it is equally true that without his vision and creativity much of this success would never have occurred.  We rely on philanthropy and fund raising to enable us to deliver real quality outcomes for our clients and we look forward to what Shaun has in store for 2022/23!  Thanks also to each and every one of you who has contributed over the year.  Whether it be small or substantial, every contribution makes a difference.

Bayside Council has been engaged in community consultation regarding the future use and improvements to Wilson Reserve and also the Brighton Rec. (at the rear of Bayley House).  We have been actively involved in discussions with Council officers about the ways in which we access and use both facilities and are delighted that Bayside Council has included and funded a range of features which will improve our clients’ experience.

As always, I hope you are keeping well and staying safe.  It does seem that COVID is all around us and, in that event, I hope that your individual experience of it is…..a fleeting one….