Michael Burke
Director - Lavender Co. NDIS registration 4050035342
Sunshine Coast - Queensland
February 15, 2024
Inquiry into the NDIS participant experience in rural, regional and remote
Australia
Lavender Co was established in 2017 when I was teaching in a Special School on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. While working in this context, I had the privilege of engaging with individuals with a disability, experienced staff, parents/carers and established support organisations. Through this engagement, I identified a need for an organisation that addressed individual needs of participants through close consultation with parents/carers, experienced stakeholders and individuals with a disability.
A need was identified for an organisation that was participant focused, and this is how Lavender Co was established. From this humble start, we have grown throughout the Sunshine Coast to provide tailored support for individuals that have had negative experiences with other services.
Lavender Co has had the privilege of providing service to participants in remote locations. Their parents/carers still engage with Lavender Co because of the exemplary level of service delivery, stability and consistency of care.
For NDIS participants in rural and remote regions, my concerns for accessing sustainable supports
-
Lack of stable care - allied health and medical staff are not engaged long term. They move on to other regions quickly taking knowledge of the participant with them.
-
Lack of continuity of care - allied health and medical staff are not engaged long term. They move on to other regions quickly taking knowledge of the participant with them.
-
Limited access to supports - there is limited access to support services in remote areas including allied health and medical professionals, requiring
participants to travel. This is challenging for parents/carers to maintain stable families, work and connections at home.
- Limited access to registered NDIS providers - this places participants at risk due to accountability and organisational oversight by governing bodies.
The above concerns create risk for participants that could be alleviated through implementing strategies to enable access to sustainable and successful supports for NDIS participants.
Lavender Co as an organisation can facilitate strategies to manage the four concerns detailed above. These strategies include:
-
Organised transport from remote regions to Lavender Co properties for regular respite.
-
Sustainable and stable respite supports.
-
Integrating medical and allied health appointments with regular respite stays.
-
Integrating other NDIS providers for support during stays to improve choice and control.
-
Expanding horizons of individuals in a supportive, inclusive and naturally beautiful environment.
I would be happy to further discuss my recommendation to support implementation. Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions on the content of this letter.
Kind regards,
Michael Burke - Director
Dip. Community Care, Ba. App. Sc. (Radiation Science), Masters of Teaching,
Masters of Education (Inclusive Education), Masters of Education (Leadership)