We continue to adapt as needed in this pandemic, and the way we have all worked together as a community – customers, staff, families – to ensure everyone’s safety and comfort has been incredible to see.

COVID-19 vaccine

I encourage you to participate in the national COVID-19 vaccination program as soon as you can. Talk to your GP or healthcare practitioner about any questions or concerns you might have. We’re continuing to work with the government on extending access to the vaccine for people with disability, and actively encourage and support all our staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Home@Scope customers supported to transition to NDIS funding

Home@Scope customers who transferred from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) have now marked another important milestone. Up until now, they were still receiving supports under the old ‘block funding’ model. Over the last 6 months, we’ve supported them to transition to National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Our focus has been on ensuring customers, families, and staff understand the NDIS, and in particular how Supported Independent Living (SIL) funding works. It’s an exciting time, as now they have transitioned, we can focus on working with customers towards their goals.

Scope in New South Wales

We’re continuing to work on expanding our mission into NSW, and recently secured an office in the inner-western suburb of Glebe, just 3km from Sydney’s CBD. The work is being led by Lee Carpenter, our Chief Growth Officer. Lee has been busy establishing a new team, who bring a wealth of experience in the disability sector in NSW.

We are excited about offering people with disability in NSW a fresh approach to services.

Strategic advocacy

Scope is strongly committed to elevating the voice of people we support, and we continue to advocate to government on issues that impact the sector and people with disability.

I was privileged earlier this year to meet with twelve members of the Federal government and opposition in Canberra, including the Minister and Shadow Minister for the NDIS. We discussed a range of issues focusing on proposed changes to the NDIS Act and the sector’s COVID response.

In addition to these meetings, we are currently preparing our submission to the Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS about the forthcoming introduction of independent assessments. Our submission highlights some of the challenges faced by people with disability in navigating this new system of assessments, and our recommendations on how that experience might be improved.

Dr Jennifer Fitzgerald AM
CEO