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Allevia provides accommodation support to people who have a disability.
Primarily, the service includes the provision of accommodation, either as a single resident, or as part of a group (shared with up to four other residents).
The accommodation consists of living environments which include housing provided either through Government owned houses, community housing, or properties obtained and leased on the open rental market.
Each resident has their own bedroom, and typically shares all other facilities with those they live with (e.g. common living areas, dining facilities, kitchen, laundry and bathroom. This depends on the floor plan of the house, and may include granny flats and ensuites as available.
Age Requirements:
Adult accommodation support services are only provided to people who are 18 years or older.
Entry to Services
Allevia receives funding for many of its accommodation services from NSW Human Services - Ageing, Disability, and Home Care (ADHC), who refer people to live in the placements they fund. However, a person may enter an accommodation support arrangement with the Association as a self-funded client.
ADHC Funded Placements
Entry to accommodation placements which are funded by ADHC may only occur through the ADHC Regional Vacancy Management system - the Association does not consider referrals for its funded accommodation services, other than those referred through the funding agency (we will usually advise the referrer to contact the funding agency directly). The Association notifies ADHC if a vacancy in its services becomes available, and then negotiates with ADHC to fill that vacancy with a suitable person who they propose through their vacancy management system. Any person who wishes to be considered for placement with our Association, or generally for consideration for a placement within the funded accommodation network, should contact their local ADHC office.
Self-funded Placements
A person may make a referral by phone or in writing to the CEO, if they wish to receive support from the Association regarding accommodation. The CEO will consider each referral based on a number of criteria, including:
- The age of the proposed resident.
- The type and nature of the supports required.
- The Association’s capacity to provide the service.
- The cost of the service and agreed fees.
Resident fees
All accommodation residents residing in a group home placement are required to pay fortnightly fees. These fees are used to pay for rent, food, utilities such as phone, electricity, gas, and water, and motor vehicle running costs.
The fees are:
- For residents who receive a Pension: 65% of the base pension (or equal amount for those in receipt of a reduced pension, and who have other income).
- For residents who do not have Pension, and who have other income/assets: an amount at least equal to 65% of a Pension).
- Plus the total amount received as a Rent Assistance from Centrelink (assistance is given to apply for this allowance from Centrelink).
- Plus 60% of the Mobility Allowance, where Allevia provides transport to and from day programs or vocational placements (assistance is provided to apply for this allowance from Centrelink).
Residents are able to make arrangements to pay an amount to Allevia fortnightly for personal spending, with the agreed amount provided fortnightly to each resident for personal use. Records are keep to account for all aspects of this arrangement from receipt to expenditure. This 'allowance' is to be included with the Centrepay payment of fees.
Fees from residents are paid through the use of the Centrepay facility only (see www.centrelink.gov.au for more details about this facility).
Service Provision Model
In keeping with the Disability Service Standards, all residents are supported through an individual plan - referred to at Allevia as an Individual Support Agreement (the Agreement). The Agreement incorporates a documented plan of support (negotiated with each resident), including the resident’s personal goals, an implementation system, monitoring, and reviews (three monthly with a full annual review).
Other supports (e.g. behaviour intervention, health care planning) are provided using an holistic clinical support model, often utilising the skills and experience of clinicians from Dare to Aspire.
Its is important to remember that Allevia staff are not specifically trained health care professionals, and support provided to a client by our staff is guided by relevant health care professionals in the community, coordinated through a comprehensive, individualised Health Care Plan. Where required (i.e. where a client requires specialist health care), Allevia supports the client to access those services from community based health care services and works to ensure that our staff acquire the training they need to participate in that health care support - similar to that of a parent or unpaid carer.
The types of support we provide to our clients, and the details of shared responsibilities in these arrangements is detailed in our "Client Accommodation Handbook - Plain English", which is provided to clients and their families during the entry process.
Locations
Allevia provides adult accommodation placements in the Metro-South and Metro-North regions of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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