About Us - Illawarra Interchange

History

Illawarra Family Care for Disabled Persons Inc, - now Interchange Illawarra Inc. Was established in 1981, with the express purpose of providing temporary care, or respite care, for adolescents and young adults. The Department for Youth and Family Services approved initial funding enabling the establishment of an office (on the premises of Illawarra Handicapped Persons Trust – now The Disability Trust). The first placement occurred in October 1982.

In its first 15 months of operation, the organisation provided 16 consumers with 4,760 hours of care utilising the services of nine family carers, or ‘substitute parents’ as they were then known. From there, growth and expansion of services has been continuous, often resulting in a waiting list when demand for respite support exceeds supply. In its 25th year of operation, 2005-2006 Interchange provided a total number of support hours close to 230,000 with 422 consumers receiving support from over 253 volunteer/support workers. The expansion of service has, of course, demanded an increase in staff from one part-time co-ordinator in 1982 to three full-time and three part-time staff in 2006.

In the initial years, Illawarra Family Care for Disabled Persons included the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Wingecarribee districts. The organisation became a member of Interchange NSW in 1990 and changed its name to Interchange Illawarra Inc. in 1992. During 1993, both Shoalhaven and Wingecarribee incorporated and became separate entities.

Funding comes from both commonwealth and state governments and over the years has enabled us not only to provide invaluable services but to purchase a bus and two houses. One of these houses is used as our office and administration centre with a peer support recreation area at the back. The other, right next door, is a respite house used for overnight stays by our consumers their families carers and other agencies in the region.

Strategic Plan

To ensure that Interchange has established some long term directions and set priorities into manageable and achievable goals, we develop a strategic plan at regular intervals in consultation with all stakeholders. The plan provides a framework for action that clearly guides management, staff and volunteers.

Our current strategic plan states that by 2010, our organisation will achieve the following four goals:

Identity
Create an identity that is recognised by the community and the disability service sector as: a leader in the provision of flexible respite support in the Illawarra an organisation of excellence that develops and maintains best practice systems and processes to ensure people with disabilities, their families and carers receive high quality inclusive services. Staff/Volunteers’ Employment, Learning, Development and Support Ensure that Interchange is recognised as an integral part of the human service system in the Illawarra, and is an employer of choice where staff and volunteers are empowered through a culture of ongoing learning, development and support.

Partnerships
Forge existing and emerging partnerships and alliances with other groups/organisations to promote and enhance respite services for people with disabilities, their families and carers.

Operational Practice
Maintain and improve efficient and professional business management practices with a strong and transparent financial position that retain and enhance the quality of our services.

Annual Report

Download a copy of our latest Annual Report from this page. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to do this. If you do not have this program on your computer, click the Adobe icon to download a free copy.

Management Committee

Interchange Illawarra Inc, has always operated with the assistance and direction of a Management Committee that is responsible for the overall operation of Interchange including policy development and future directions within the guidelines of the funding body, and in accordance with the Home and Community Care (HACC) National Service Standards, NSW Disability Services Act and the NSW Corporate Affairs Commission.

The current Management Committee comprises 12 people including consumer and volunteer representatives, representatives from other disability and community organisations within the Illawarra and Interchange’s manager.

Monthly meetings provide a forum for regular contact with management committee and staff where information and feedback necessary for the effective management of the service is presented. This ensures accountability and provides the opportunity for decision making and future direction.

Staff

Interchange Illawarra Inc. currently employs three full-time and four - part time staff. These include the manager, office manager/respite co-ordinator, peer support co-ordinator, two part time respite co-ordinators, administrative officer and administrative assistant.

Volunteer/support workers

Interchange is supported by around 250 volunteer/support workers providing in-home and out-of-home respite, peer support and social support providing assistance for leisure, recreation and group activities. All volunteer/support workers are screened, reference checked, and complete first aid and disability-specific training.

To become a volunteer/support worker with Interchange, please download an application form and return it to us at your convenience.

Rights of Volunteer/Support Workers

Interchange Illawarra Inc. recognises that volunteers and support workers are an integral part of the service and have the right:

To get job satisfaction
To participate in an orientation course before commencing with Interchange, with opportunities to gain further knowledge on disabilities issues, if they so desire
To be informed about the organisation, policies, procedures and programs
To receive sound guidance and direction from someone who is experienced and well informed and who has the time to invest in giving guidance
To be involved in planning some aspects of the program and evaluating the program
To be recognised for the valuable contribution that they make
To be protected and maintain personal safety
To be adequately informed about prospective consumers so that they can make an informed decision about care
To say 'no' to a consumer or placement
To complain about any aspect of the service that they are unhappy with through a Grievance procedure, without fear of retribution
To receive ongoing supervision and support from staff and committee
To be assured personal information is kept confidential.
Interchange Illawarra Inc. also recognises that volunteers have the right:
To be treated as co-workers
To be reimbursed to ensure they are not financially disadvantaged,
and that support workers have the right:
To be paid in accordance with award rates.

Consumers

Our consumers range in age from 0 to 65 and have a range of developmental disabilities. These are disabilities that occurred before the age of 18 and are ongoing, for example intellectual, physical, sensory, acquired brain injury and psychiatric.

We currently have around 420 consumers registered with us. Some of these use our services on a regular basis and some only access us on a one-off basis.

For more information about becoming a consumer of Interchange Illawarra, please contact our office.

Rights of Consumers

Interchange Illawarra Inc. accepts as basic to its service that consumers have the right:
To respect for their individual worth, dignity of risk, privacy and confidentiality
To be assessed for access to services without discrimination
To be informed about available services
To choose from available alternatives
To pursue any complaint about service provision or staff without retribution
To involve an advocate and/or interpreter of their choice
To participate in decision making
To access and information held by this agency pertaining to themselves
To access policies and procedures of the agency
To be involved in the development, implementation and regular review of the policies and procedures of the agency.

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