Post by Banjo on May 28, 2014 15:12:19 GMT 7
230 jobs expected to be created at disability service provider Leveda in the north on the back of National Disability Insurance Scheme rollout
DISABILITY services provider Leveda plans to expand its workforce by 230 people within two years, to cover a windfall in extra demand.
The not-for-profit group, based in Salisbury, says the boom is based on new demand as the National Disability Insurance Scheme is rolled out.
Leveda already has 200 staff providing services such as cleaning and cooking for people with disabilities in the Salisbury, Playford and Campbelltown districts.
Chief executive Marj Ellis said the disability sector was forecast to be a huge area of growth throughout Australia.
“There will be many more people needed to provide services funded by the NDIS,” Ms Ellis said.
Ms Ellis said Leveda would employ 30 disability support workers in the next few months, which would replace the same number of carers employed casually through agencies.
Another 200 people would be hired over the next two years for up to 33 hours a week and would not replace agency staff.
The government has pledged $14.3 billion to the DisabilityCare rollout. Its support for infants has already started in SA, with full coverage to be ramped up by 2018/19.
Other northern suburbs disability service providers told the Northern Messenger they were also looking to employ more staff over the next few years on the back of the scheme.
Comrec Australia runs a day activity centre at Elizabeth Downs.
The group’s regional co-ordinator Michael Haseloff said it was likely more jobs would be created at the centre, but the organisation could not be sure of the demand until the NDIS rolled out to adults from July 2016.
“When people have more discretionary spending we may have to provide not just a day options program but activities the clients choose on the weekends or at night, like the football,” Mr Haseloff said.
Freddie Brincat, executive director of Community Bridging Services, which works to get disabled people into full-paying jobs, said the northern suburbs would be one of the strongest areas of demand for the NDIS.
However he warned that unscrupulous operators could take advantage of the booming demand.
“Demand for disability services will increase sharply and the amount of competition will increase sharply and the concern around that is the competency around service delivery,” Mr Brincat said.
MORE: Health sector to drive jobs growth in wake of Holden closure
Uniting Communities chief executive Simon Schrapel said jobseekers should look to aged care and disability care as career options.
“There is a growing demand for jobs in the human services sector and I’d encourage young people to look at it as an option,” Mr Schrapel said.
“Schools have a role to look at those career options and our industry has a role to promote it to young people as a career option.”
Leveda carer Lisa Schloithe said being a permanent rather than casual employee meant more job security for her and better care for her clients.
“You get to know the guys on a personal note too,” Miss Schloithe said.
“You’re more observant to notice when someone gets unwell.”
www.news.com.au/national/south-australia/jobs-expected-to-be-created-at-disability-service-provider-leveda-in-the-north-on-the-back-of-national-disability-insurance-scheme-rollout/story-fnii5yv4-1226934178293
DISABILITY services provider Leveda plans to expand its workforce by 230 people within two years, to cover a windfall in extra demand.
The not-for-profit group, based in Salisbury, says the boom is based on new demand as the National Disability Insurance Scheme is rolled out.
Leveda already has 200 staff providing services such as cleaning and cooking for people with disabilities in the Salisbury, Playford and Campbelltown districts.
Chief executive Marj Ellis said the disability sector was forecast to be a huge area of growth throughout Australia.
“There will be many more people needed to provide services funded by the NDIS,” Ms Ellis said.
Ms Ellis said Leveda would employ 30 disability support workers in the next few months, which would replace the same number of carers employed casually through agencies.
Another 200 people would be hired over the next two years for up to 33 hours a week and would not replace agency staff.
The government has pledged $14.3 billion to the DisabilityCare rollout. Its support for infants has already started in SA, with full coverage to be ramped up by 2018/19.
Other northern suburbs disability service providers told the Northern Messenger they were also looking to employ more staff over the next few years on the back of the scheme.
Comrec Australia runs a day activity centre at Elizabeth Downs.
The group’s regional co-ordinator Michael Haseloff said it was likely more jobs would be created at the centre, but the organisation could not be sure of the demand until the NDIS rolled out to adults from July 2016.
“When people have more discretionary spending we may have to provide not just a day options program but activities the clients choose on the weekends or at night, like the football,” Mr Haseloff said.
Freddie Brincat, executive director of Community Bridging Services, which works to get disabled people into full-paying jobs, said the northern suburbs would be one of the strongest areas of demand for the NDIS.
However he warned that unscrupulous operators could take advantage of the booming demand.
“Demand for disability services will increase sharply and the amount of competition will increase sharply and the concern around that is the competency around service delivery,” Mr Brincat said.
MORE: Health sector to drive jobs growth in wake of Holden closure
Uniting Communities chief executive Simon Schrapel said jobseekers should look to aged care and disability care as career options.
“There is a growing demand for jobs in the human services sector and I’d encourage young people to look at it as an option,” Mr Schrapel said.
“Schools have a role to look at those career options and our industry has a role to promote it to young people as a career option.”
Leveda carer Lisa Schloithe said being a permanent rather than casual employee meant more job security for her and better care for her clients.
“You get to know the guys on a personal note too,” Miss Schloithe said.
“You’re more observant to notice when someone gets unwell.”
www.news.com.au/national/south-australia/jobs-expected-to-be-created-at-disability-service-provider-leveda-in-the-north-on-the-back-of-national-disability-insurance-scheme-rollout/story-fnii5yv4-1226934178293