Additional Attachment: The Salvation Army Case Studies
Employing 100 Project
The Salvation Army recently participated in the Australian Disability Network’s Employing 100 (E100) initiative. The two-year project was funded by the Department of Social Services, and aimed to build employer confidence and capability to employ people with disability and prepare jobseekers for identified roles.¹
E100 assists employers to better access the talent pool of qualified candidates by removing recruitment barriers that prevented many jobseekers with disability from previously applying for roles. During The Salvation Army’s participation in this program, support included:
- Reviewing and enhancing recruitment systems and processes;
- Upskilling teams, leaders and managers through disability confidence training;
- Assistance with developing the workplace adjustment procedure;
- Conducting Dignified Access Reviews.
Over 14 months, The Salvation Army appointed 29 people with disabilities into various roles across departments in Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria, outdoing the initial goal of 25 hires. At the end of the program The Salvation Army saw a 100% retention rate.
As a result of the progress made by engaging in this initiative, The Salvation Army was a finalist for a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion award at the TIARA Talent Acquisition Awards, which celebrate excellence, innovation, and achievement in talent acquisition across Australia and New Zealand.
The Salvation Army’s Employment Plus
The Salvation Army’s Employment Plus program has been supporting Australians into long-term rewarding employment since 1998. Over this time, we have supported more than 700,000 people on their journey to employment. We currently support over 34,000 participants to achieve long-term sustainable employment across multiple programs, including Workforce Australia, Disability Employment Services, Parent Pathways, and EPlus Local.
Our services strive to ensure people with disability can participate fully in all Employment Plus programs we deliver. We focus on their strengths and value the unique talents, skills and potential of every person, whilst providing practical support and promoting individual agency.
¹ Crosbie, J., Wilson E., Anderson, J. & Riseley E. (2025). Employing 100. Evaluation, Final Report. Swinburne University of Technology: Centre for Social Impact. https://figshare.swinburne.edu.au/articles/report/Employing_100_Evaluation_Final_Report/29095694?file=54659459
Josh’s* Story
Josh*, a 25-year-old First Nations man from Queensland, identified significant psychosocial challenges as he sought employment after being long-term unemployed. These challenges have severely impacted on his confidence in social and professional environments.
Josh engaged with The Salvation Army’s Employment Plus program where he was provided with a safe and supportive environment to engage in sensitive discussions around his specific challenges and barriers to employment, and employment expectations.
Employment Plus was able to arrange an information session with an employer that Josh was interested in working for, which resulted in him successfully securing an interview and placement in employment. Josh was supported by Employment Plus to complete relevant qualifications required for the role, further supporting his transition into the position. Financial assistance was also provided through a wage subsidy program, offering milestone payments to assist the employer in accommodating Josh’s training, adjustment needs and barriers.
Josh successfully achieved 4, 12, and 26-week employment outcomes and feedback from the employer was very positive. Employment Plus provided ongoing post-placement support to continue addressing other challenges Josh was experiencing, including confidence building in social and professional environments.
Through this comprehensive support system, Josh’s employment not only marked a significant achievement but also aligned with his personal goals. His journey exemplifies how tailored, confidential and holistic support can empower individuals to overcome substantial barriers and thrive in their chosen career paths.
*Name has been changed for confidentiality.
Jack’s* Story
Jack, a job seeker with an Acute Brain Injury (ABI), faced work challenges within his employment. Jack was already employed and highly regarded within his team and among clients, however expressed that he was struggling with understanding task instructions and completion.
With Jack’s consent, Employment Plus, Jack’s employer and a Job Coach collaborated onsite to address the challenges he was experiencing. Employment Plus worked with Jack to develop and implement strategies - such as personalised checklists – that assisted him with work tasks.
Job Access training was also arranged for colleagues who worked with him to enhance their understanding and confidence in how to better support Jack to perform at his best. One year on, Jack remains employed, supported by a buddy worker at his place of employment, and ongoing support is provided by Employment Plus to address ongoing challenges holistically.
*Name has been changed for confidentiality.
Rebecca’s Story
Rebecca is an NDIS participant with a moderate intellectual disability. She lives alone in the community with no informal supports; her primary formal support is provided by The Salvation Army for daily self-care, community access and support coordination. Rebecca has experienced a systemic discrimination from mainstream and community supports for decades due to some challenging behaviours, which are a result of her disability and mental health challenges.
Rebecca underwent open-heart surgery at the start of December 2024 and was discharged just 17 days post-surgery. Her difficulties in performing independent self-care tasks and retaining important information related to surgery aftercare were ignored.
Post-operative and functional assessments to assess Rebecca’s safety and understanding of her care needs before discharge were requested. Concerns were raised at this point that Rebecca was being discharged too early due to her limited understanding of post-surgery aftercare requirements due to her disability, and with no confirmed rehabilitation plan in place.
Upon discharge, no discharge summaries or medical assessments were provided, and no communication occurred from the hospital to Rebecca’s formal support services. Rebecca was not provided with accessible discharge instructions, and no proactive outreach was arranged.
Rebecca was originally intended to be transferred to a different medical facility after her operation to access in-house rehabilitation. However instead, she was transferred through two different hospitals, where she was eventually discharged without having received the intended rehabilitation. Being discharged at this time placed Rebecca under considerable risk, with her community-based supports unable to provide the level of medical care required at this early-stage post-operation and a general lack of other support available over the December holiday period.
One day after her discharge, Rebecca presented to the Emergency Department with severe pain, vomiting, and feeling generally unwell. Tests were performed and she was prescribed antibiotics and sent home the same day, despite still being unwell and only 18 days post-major cardiac surgery.
Rebecca’s story demonstrates an egregious example where the disconnect between medical and social models of disability resulted in discrimination. Rebecca was unable to access the appropriate level of medical support she required in the context of her disability and with consideration of her additional mental health needs.
*Name has been changed for confidentiality.
The Salvation Army’s NDIS Program
The Salvation Army’s NDIS Program delivers flexible, person-centered supports that complement our residential aged-care services across Australia.
Through our teams in Carpenter Court (Central West NSW), Montrose (Sydney), James Barker House (Melbourne), Gil Waminda (Goulburn), Woodport (Central Coast) and Kubbiri Aged Care (Tropical North Queensland), we provide meaningful, individualised support that enables residents and community participants to live with dignity, inclusion, and purpose.
Our support workers assist community members with personal care, daily living, and community access; from attending local activities to maintaining social and cultural connections. We also facilitate medical appointments and tailored one-to-one or small-group outings, ensuring continuity of care and genuine engagement for every participant.
Working alongside residential aged-care teams, The Salvation Army’s NDIS services address the needs of those often excluded from traditional models of support due to challenging behaviours, psychosocial disability, acquired brain injuries, substance use, homelessness or post-incarceration disadvantage. Our support coordination further extends to carers and informal supports – helping to navigate plans and sustain meaningful connections with those they care for and wish to actively support.
In all contexts, The Salvation Army works to bridge gaps that other services cannot and at times will not, through offering compassionate, flexible solutions where barriers to mainstream disability or mental-health services persist. Through this integrated approach, The Salvation Army’s NDIS program reinforces the mission of The Salvation Army: providing hope, inclusion and quality of life for those most at risk of being left behind.