Appendix 1:Methodology
The methodology for the study is summarised below.
Inception briefings
The consultants met with representatives of the Department of Family and Community Services for an initial briefing. Following the briefing and subsequent discussions the methodology was refined.
Consultation with FaCS
Consultations were conducted with key informants within the Department of Family and Community Services. Discussions included State/Territory Officers, and were aimed at identification of case study areas and key informants in each State/Territory.
Relevant information, reports, and documentation were collected and reviewed.
Consultants involved in other aspects of the development of the program were contacted, including Jenny Pearson & Associates in relation to JSCIs and Nic Bolto in relation to case based funding.
Preparation of Study tools
Tools for use by all members of the consulting team were prepared, to ensure comprehensiveness and consistency in data collection and reporting. These included:
- interview schedules for initial discussions with key informants
- the Discussion Paper, including case based funding concepts (see below);
- pro formas and materials for conducting focus groups
- pro formas (topics for discussions) for case studies.
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Consultation with key informants
Discussions were conducted with a range of key informants. These were held very early in the study, and continued throughout. The early intelligence gained from key informants informed the development of the Discussion Paper.
Review of quantitative data
A range of data relating to the current service system was collected from a number of sources and reviewed. This provided context, and assisted in highlighting key issues for Rural and Remote areas.
Consultation with current service providers
Current disability employment service providers in rural/remote areas were an important focus for the study. Contact was made with many current service providers in rural/remote areas.
Discussion paper dissemination
The primary consultation tool was a Discussion Paper highlighting key issues, and posing a number of questions for consideration. The Discussion Paper was distributed to every disability employment service in Australia, and was available on the Internet. Fifty four responses were received, the majority being from rural and remote areas. The Discussion Paper was also used as a basis for discussion at focus groups and in site visits
Case studies (including site visits)
A number of case studies were undertaken. The majority were disability employment services operating in rural/remote areas. The location of case studies was decided in conjunction with the Steering Committee, based on selection criteria. Case study data was collected using standard forms. Case studies were selected to cover a range of circumstances. At least 2 case studies included services for Indigenous people.
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Case studies
| Location |
Service provider |
| Bega, NSW |
Workability Inc |
| Nyngan, NSW |
Western District Supported Employment Service |
| Broome, WA |
Kimberley Personnel |
| Port Hedland, WA |
Hedland Personnel |
| Roma, Qld |
Roma and District Supported Employment Service |
| Mount Isa, Qld |
Competitive Employment |
| Mount Gambier, SA |
Interwork, Port Adelaide Central Mission, Gambier Contracts |
| Port Pirie, SA |
Community Bridging Service Jobnet |
| Burnie, Tas |
North West Employment Service |
| Warracknabeal/ Nhill/ |
Woodbine Lodge, Cooinda Association, Murdoch House, |
| St Arnaud, Horsham, Vic. |
Wimmera Job Match |
| Alice Springs, NT |
NPY Women's Council |
| Nhulunbuy, NT |
No provider at present |
| Tennant Creek, NT |
Julalikiri Council (no longer the provider) |
| Tiwi Islands |
Ngaruwanajirri |
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Focus groups and consultations in rural/remote communities
A series of 3 hour focus groups were conducted in 12 regional locations. Regional centres were selected to maximise input from providers in rural remote areas, as well as representatives of Centrelink, Job Network providers, CRS Australia and Indigenous services. The selection of areas was finalised with FaCS.
Focus groups
Location
- Sale, Vic
- Dubbo, NSW
- Orange, NSW
- Port Hedland, WA
- Broome, WA
- Far North Coast (Cairns), Qld
- Port Pirie, SA
- Narracoorte, SA
- Maffra (Centrelink), Vic
- Alice Springs, NT
- Nhulunbuy, NT
- Rockhampton, Qld
Consultation with other key informants
There were a range of other key informants who contributed valuable ideas to the study during the course of site visits, discussions with key informants, and focus groups. Key informants included:
- people with disabilities;
- Centrelink agencies;
- State government departments responsible for providing disability services;
- representatives of CRS Australia;
- Employment agencies, especially those working with people with high support needs;
- Disability peak organisations, including ACROD, ACE and NCID; and
- other Commonwealth Government Departments with relevant programs in rural/remote areas (eg. ATSIC, DEWRSB).
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Disability Employment Conference (Darwin July 18 to 20)
The consultants attended the Disability Employment Conference in Darwin and ran a Concurrent Session on Day 3. Consultants used the Conference to make contact with several key informants both at the Conference and in separate meetings.
Literature review
A literature review was conducted focusing on models of disability employment, including funding arrangements based on individual need, and tied to outcomes.
International consultation
Key organisations, authors, government departments and disability employment service organisations overseas were identified.
Review of innovative technology
During the course of consultations the current and potential importance of technology for disability employment services was identified. This issue was included in the Discussion Paper, focus groups, individual consultations, and in literature.
Collation and analysis information
All data and information was assimilated, including responses to the Discussion Paper, focus groups, case studies, and consultations with key informants.
Modelling
Current models were documented and innovative models developed. The financial viability of models was considered, including funding arrangements.
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Appendix 2: Organisations contributing to the study
Disability employment assistance services
The following services provided input to the study:
- Access Employment Sunraysia, Mildura
- ACE, NSW
- Activ Foundation, Jolimont, WA
- AGJD, Katherine, NT
- Bidyadanga Aboiginal Community, Broome, WA
- Break O'Day Open Employment Service, St Helens, Tas
- Bundaberg Clubhouse, Bundaberg, Qld
- Burnie
- Cape York Employment Service, Qld
- Care Goondiwindi, Qld
- Challenge Garden Centre, Murwillumbah, NSW
- CHESS, Coffs harbour, NSW
- Community Bridgeing Service, Port Pirie, SA
- Community Employment Options, Rockhampton, Qld
- Competitive Employment, Mount Isa, Qld.
- Cooinda Association, Nhill, Vic
- Employability, Swan Hill, Vic
- Employment Access, Alice Springs, NT
- Employment Directions Australia, NSW
- Employment Now, Mudgee, NSW
- Endeavour Foundataion, Cairns, Qld
- Frazer Adam, Carnavon
- Gambier Contracts, Mount Gambier, SA
- Gippsland Personnel Open Employment Association Inc., Vic
- Hedland Personnel, South Hedland, WA
- Hotham Personnel, Narrogin, WA
- HPA Incorporated, Darwin, NT
- Hunter Labour Force Solutions, Maitland, NSW
- Interwork, Adelaide, Mount Gambier, SA
- Ipswich and Lockyer Valley Personnel Agency, Ipswich, Qld
- Jobnet, Wodonga, Vic
- Julalikari Council, Tennant Creek, NT
- Kimberley Personnel, Broome, WA
- Kalorama Farm, Quirindi, Qld
- Kimberley College of TAFE, Broome, WA
- Kyeema Centre Inc., Portland, Vic
- Latrobe Personnel, Vic
- Manbourin Enterprises, Werribee, Vic
- Melbourne Employment Services, Footscray, Vic
- Minda Incorporated, Brighton, SA
- Murdoch House, St Arnaud, Vic
- Murrumbidgee Enterprises, Coleambally, NSW
- Nambucca Valley Phoenix Limited, NSW
- Narracoorte Work Options, SA
- Ngaruwanajirri, Tiwi Islands, NT
- North West Employment Service, Burnie, Tas.
- Noweyung, Bairnsdale, Vic
- NPY Disability Employment Service, Alice Springs, NT
- Orana, Glandore, SA
- Peel Valley Traning Mobile Service, Tamworth, NSW
- Port Adelaide City Mission, Adelaide, Mount Gambier, SA
- Project Employment and Darwin Skills Development Scheme, Darwin, NT
- Roma and District Supported Empleoyment, Roma, Qld
- Senswide Services, Melbourne, Vic
- South West Intergrated Employment Service, Young, NSW
- Tablelands Employment Agency, Bowen, Qld
- The Personnel Group, Leongatha, Vic
- Tulgeen Group, Bega, NSW
- WA Laptop, Forrest, WA
- Warren Blackwood Persomnnel, Manjimup, WA
- Warwick Community Training Centre, Warwick, Qld
- Western District Employment Services, Nyngan, NSW
- Wimmera Job Match, Horsham, Vic
- Wirrawee, Kadina, SA
- Woodbine, Warracknabeal, Vic
- Work Solutions, Supported Employment, Fairfield Gardens, Qld
- Workability Personnel Inc., Bega, NSW
Peak organisations
The following peak organisations provided input to the study:
- ACROD
- ACE National Network
- National Caucus of Disability Consumer Organistaions