Media Release: Launching Summer Foundation’s new disability research centre with La Trobe University

A new multi-year research partnership between La Trobe University and the Summer Foundation will significantly increase Australia’s evidence base in housing and support for people with disability. This new partnership will help meet the critical knowledge needs of the NDIS reform agenda by understanding what works in driving better quality services and true innovation.

The partnership with La Trobe University’s School of Psychology and Public Health will see the establishment of the Summer Foundation Research Centre at the University.

Through building a truly nation-leading collaboration, we will deliver high quality disability research. Establishing the Centre’s reputation as a global leader will build on the solid track record of the Summer Foundation’s continued collaboration with the Living with Disability Research Centre at the University.

The new partnership will expand our research and grow inter-organisation staff placements, including PhD positions. The Centre will be led by a Summer Foundation Research Chair who will mentor early career researchers, lead grant applications and amplify thought leadership and innovation in housing and living already underway at Summer Foundation.

“We need ambitious and thoughtful research to ensure the significant investment in the National Disability Insurance Scheme delivers better outcomes for people with disability,” said Dr Di Winkler, CEO of the Summer Foundation and Adjunct Associate Professor at La Trobe University.

This partnership comes at a critical time for Summer Foundation as it embarks on a new strategic vision to develop, demonstrate and scale innovative user-led housing and living solutions for people with disability.

Professor Monica Thielking, Dean of the School of Psychology and Public Health, said the Summer Foundation Research Centre was a great fit with the values and purpose of the School of Psychology and Public Health.

“I’m really looking forward to exciting learning opportunities and real-world impact from having the Research Centre situated in our School,” Professor Thielking said.

“By aligning our mission and thinking, we will see research that will shift the dial on tangible outcomes for people with disability in Australia.”

For more information, please contact Summer Foundation External Affairs Lead Soman Moodley on 0421 730 854 or soman.moodley@summerfoundation.org.au

INCREASING Individualised Living Arrangements (ILAs) for people with disability as an alternative to group homes could save the NDIS $260 million over five years and deliver better outcomes, a new report by the Summer Foundation has found.

The report ‘Moving Out, Moving On: Beyond group homes for NDIS participants’ finds that group homes are a major source of financial pressure on the NDIS, with Supported Independent Living (SIL) costs exploding by 28 per cent over the past five years.

“Our independent economic modelling shows ILAs are typically more cost effective than a 1:3 support ratio for SIL funding. Further, the report suggests the government could save $260 million over five years if 500 more people each year opted to live in ILAs over group homes,” Summer Foundation Head of Policy, Communication and Systems Change Jessica Walker said

Built around the choices and preferences of the person with disability, ILAs allow people to decide how and with whom they live—including with a supportive housemate, a host, or another arrangement. ILAs foster greater independence, connection and safety.

The report comes at a time where providers of group homes are struggling to maintain the viability of the service model with increasing vacancies, as people with disability reject group homes for better options. 

The report found:

• 520 NDIS participants are living in ILAs supported by NDIS providers in Australia
• People with intellectual disability, Acquired Brain Injury and autism were most commonly supported in ILAs
• ILAs included Host, Homeshare, Good Neighbour, Mentor and Co-Resident models
• ILAs have been a key part of the UK and Canada’s move away from institutional settings. They’ve been held back in Australia by outdated pricing and a lack of commitment by Government.

The report makes a number of recommendations to help ILAs grow, including:

• Locking in a secure pricing and regulatory framework 
• Raising awareness amongst people with disability and their families
• Supporting the workforce and growing the pool of potential live-in supporters 

Ms Walker said Australia lagged behind other OECD countries in providing better housing and living options. 

“More than 10,000 people with disability in the UK are living in ILA-type arrangements. ILAs are based on the simple idea that our lives are better when they’re shared,” she said.

“They start by asking the person with disability where and how they want to live and be supported.

“Sometimes the person with disability might choose to live with a host who has a spare room in their home. Or they might have a home with a spare room that they offer for free or at a low cost rent to a housemate. These arrangements are supported through NDIS funding in the participant’s plan.”

Pete has lived with his housemate Simon in Perth in an ILA for almost a decade. As part of Pete’s ILA, Simon’s rent is covered by Pete’s NDIS plan.

In return, Simon provides the routine, companionship and positive example that Pete needs to stay on track. Since living with Simon, Pete has proudly started a business, become better with his money, cut back on his Xbox gaming and developed a more consistent routine.  

The pair have struck up a genuine friendship over the years and would hang out even if they didn’t live together. 

The respect is mutual. For Pete, Simon’s presence makes him feel like he belongs. 

“We’re pretty well known in Osborne Park when we walk around. The coffee shop knows we’re housemates, and that makes Pete feel like he matters – like he’s not some stranger who doesn’t fit in,” Simon said.

Pete enjoys living with Simon and being able to come home to someone. 

“I like coming home to a home where someone else is there instead of it being by myself,” he said.

Ms Walker said that the re-election of the Albanese Government was an opportunity to urgently expand housing and living options for people with high support needs, and stop the flow into group homes. 

“Two years after its report, more than 40 recommendations from the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of people with disability are still sitting on ice, including the recommendation to phase out group homes,” she said.

“We urge the government to commit to growing ILAs by establishing a framework which includes specific tax treatment for live-in supporters and regulation that supports these arrangements.

“We also urge the NDIA to commit to immediate indexation of Individual Living Options funding for ILAs so that these types of alternative approaches are financially viable for service providers.”  

MEDIA: For interviews with Summer Foundation Head of Policy, Communications and Systems Change Jessica Walker, please contact our External Affairs Lead Soman Moodley on 0421 730 854 or soman.moodley@summerfoundation.org.au. 

The Summer Foundation is pleased to support the Australian Disability Strategy 2021-2031. The Strategy, launched today on the Disability Gateway, prioritises the commitment to improve the lives of people with disability by all governments – Australian, state, territory and local.

Today is United Nations International Day of People with Disabilities. Today promotes understanding of disability issues and supports the dignity, rights and wellbeing of people with disability now and in the future. The theme of today is, “leadership and participation of persons with disabilities towards an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-Covid-19-world”. 

Minister for Families and Social Services, Anne Ruston said ‘People with disability deserve to have the same as any other person and this ten year framework sets out our priorities as a nation for the 4.4 million Australians who live with disability’. The Australian Government is supporting the Australian Disability Strategy with an investment of $250 million.

The Strategy aims to improve the lives of people with disability across 6 priority outcome areas. 

• Employment and financial security
• Inclusive homes and communities
• Safety, rights and justice
• Personal and community support
• Health and wellbeing
• Community attitudes

The Summer Foundation focuses on supporting people with disability with complex support needs and works to ensure no younger person under the age of 65 is forced to live in aged care. The Australian Disability Strategy aims to increase the availability of affordable housing, ensure housing is accessible and that people with disability have choice and control about where they live, who they live with and how they live. Additionally, that people with disability can access the supports they need to live well, delivered in a way which best meets their individual needs. 

The rights of people with disability must be promoted upheld and protected. We are pleased to see this as a central principal of the Australian Disability Strategy. 

The Strategy re-establishes Australia’s commitment to people with disability and provides the vision for an inclusive Australian society that ensures people with disability can fulfil their potential, as equal members of the community. 

The Summer Foundation would like to see the implementation of the Strategy drive opportunities for people with disability, to lead and direct the achievement of outcomes, and play a significant role in shaping the success of the Strategy. The Strategy endeavours to facilitate greater community participation for people with disability and provide the opportunity to ensure they can decide how they live their lives. It is important that adequate funding continues to be provided to support the achievement of the Strategy over the next 10 years. 

The Summer Foundation’s board renewal process continued with new appointments and planned resignations at the AGM and Board meeting.

After many years’ service, both Professor Jacinta Douglas and Jason Chequer have stepped down from the board. Jacinta and Jason have both made enormous contributions to the work of the Summer Foundation.  

Not-for-profit organisation, the Summer Foundation, has today launched the UpSkill Provider Directory, a searchable online directory of support coordinators and allied health professionals with the skills and experience to assist  people with complex support  needs to live well in the community.

The platform, made possible by funding partner Gandel Philanthropy, also provides eligible professionals with a way of showcasing their services to potential clients free of charge.

People with disability, families and others who assist them will be able to search the directory for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) support coordinators and allied health professionals in their area. 

Summer Foundation Head of Government Relations and Policy, Amelia Condi, said the UpSkill Provider Directory will enable NDIS participants with complex support needs to connect with a network of experienced support coordinators with the right skills to support participants to navigate the NDIS service system.

“Our focus for the UpSkill Provider Directory over the coming months is to build listings – it will continue to grow and evolve as more support coordinators and health professionals come on board,” Ms Condi said.  

The directory is the newest tool in the Summer Foundation’s UpSkill program, which delivers training,  capacity building and professional development to support coordinators and NDIS allied health professionals across the country. These professionals are integral in supporting people with complex support needs to achieve good outcomes and live well in the community.

Support coordinators and NDIS allied health professionals who have completed UpSkill training are eligible to create a profile on the directory. They are also eligible to join the UpSkill Community of Practice, a networking platform for members to troubleshoot barriers and inspire each other to think innovatively and share information, ideas and practices.

Gandel Philanthropy Chief Executive Officer, Vedran Drakulic OAM said: “From alternative housing demonstration projects to building workforce capability through UpSkill, the Summer Foundation has been at the forefront of innovative strategies to prevent younger people with disability from languishing in aged care.

“The UpSkill Provider Directory will offer vital online connections and supports so that every young person with disability can choose where they live and who they live with.”

Click here to access the UpSkill Provider Directory.

The Summer Foundation welcomes the announcements made by Minister Reynolds on Friday 9 July 2021 advising the outcomes of the Disability Ministers’ Meeting.

National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) CEO Martin Hoffman has opened up about where the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is heading in an exclusive interview with Summer Foundation Policy Manager and disability advocate, Dr George Taleporos.

Summer Foundation is pleased with the recent announcement from the Minister for NDIS, Senator the Hon Minister Reynolds CSC and National Cabinet to expand eligibility for COVID-19 vaccination to all NDIS participants and carers. 

The key recommendations relating to younger people with disability, outlined in the newly released final report of the Aged Care Royal Commission, have been warmly welcomed by the Summer Foundation, Youngcare and Synapse. 

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is well placed to meet a rising demand for impact investment products in Australia, according to the Summer Foundation’s newly released SDA Explainer for Investors.

In recent years, impact investing – investments made with the intention to generate positive, measurable social and/or environmental impact alongside a financial return – has started to attract the attention of investment banks, super funds and private sector investors.

Summer Foundation CEO, Dr Di Winkler, said there has been a significant progression from impact investment being primarily for philanthropists with an interest in a particular area or sector, to it being seen as a viable option for mainstream investment banks, super funds and private sector investors.

“One of the limiting factors for the growth of impact investment in Australia is the lack of products that have the capacity for investment at scale – the SDA market is well positioned to leverage this private capital,” Dr Winkler said.

“SDA is still somewhat of an unknown quantity for some investors.”

“The SDA Explainer provides a succinct analysis of the SDA demand and supply outlook and investment principles to support investors considering SDA investment opportunities.

“These principles relate to the properties, the quality of the new dwellings, the tenant selection process, disability support and ensuring that the investment is set up for a long term positive social impact.”

What impact investors need to know about SDA

• Since the commencement of the SDA market in 2017, there has been a steady increase in the growth of SDA supply. The most significant growth has been in the number of dwellings for people with high physical support needs with a four-fold increase. However, there is still a need for new dwellings for at least 19,000 people given the unmet demand and the need to redevelop or reconfigure most of the SDA built before 2016.
• A recent desktop scan of investment opportunities found 32 entities raising funds to build new SDA. Some of the advertised returns were unrealistic. Only a small group of funds were investing in SDA at scale. The findings of this study demonstrate the level of interest and momentum generated by the SDA market.

• A recent survey of active SDA investors provided valuable insights into the SDA market. Although there were only 9 participants, together they had provided $700 million to 13 SDA providers to house over 1,200 NDIS participants. This survey found that at this stage, the SDA market is suited to sophisticated investors with a substantial portfolio looking to diversify and interested in a long- term investment with stable returns and a social impact.
  
• As with any developing market and new asset class, potential investors need to do a significant amount of research to understand the risks and returns associated with each specific investment opportunity and the risks associated with the market as a whole.

Dr Winkler said that SDA, as an emerging market, has enormous potential to provide both long-term stable returns to investors, while also meeting the housing needs of people with disability.

The Summer Foundation SDA Explainer for Investors has been published on the Summer Foundation website.

• Media Release
• News

The Summer Foundation is pleased to welcome 2 new Board members, as part of an active Board renewal process designed to strengthen the diversity, strategic capacity and breadth of expertise on the Summer Foundation Board of Directors.

Recommendations presented today by the Aged Care Royal Commission’s Senior Counsel Assisting, Peter Rozen QC, relating to younger people in aged care, have been warmly welcomed by Youngcare, the Summer Foundation and Young People In Nursing Homes National Alliance. 

The Summer Foundation has welcomed the Federal Government’s new funding and strategy to reduce the number of younger people living in aged care.

The release of the Young People in Residential Aged Care (YPIRAC) Strategy and funding boost is another positive step towards achieving the government’s targets supporting young people to find appropriate housing that suits their needs, said the Summer Foundation’s Head of Government Relations and Policy, Amelia Condi.

State Trustees Australia Foundation has allocated $25,000 to the Summer Foundation as part of the 2020 Community Inclusion grant round.

The Summer Foundation has joined forces with 2 of Australia’s largest providers of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – RSEA Safety and Blackwoods – to launch 2 online stores offering PPE for people with disability. 

The online stores will supply reasonably priced gloves, gowns, surgical masks, face shields, hand sanitiser and disinfectant wipes, and will be accessible to NDIS participants from today.

Close to 3,000 Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) places have been built or are now in the pipeline, according to a new report from Social Ventures Australia (SVA) and the Summer Foundation.

The Summer Foundation, the Young People In Nursing Homes National Alliance and Youngcare welcome the Aged Care Royal Commission’s Interim Report, which was released by the government today. In its report, the Commission has accepted two important targets relating to younger people living in aged care: allowing only for exceptional circumstances, an end to young Australians entering residential aged care by 2022, and no young Australian living in aged care by 2025. These targets should be adopted by governments immediately.

Alliance Director, Dr Bronwyn Morkham, said that the Commission’s acceptance of these targets was critical.

“We cannot risk another policy failure for these younger people. These targets give us a measurable objective by which we can solve this longstanding problem,” Dr Morkham said.

“No single government agency can fix this issue by itself. Health, disability and aged care systems must work together to achieve these targets and end the flow of young people into aged care,” Dr Morkham said.

“We must make sure that the Royal Commission’s work leads to solutions where human rights are upheld and where young people can choose where they live, who they live with, and how they are supported,” said Dr Di Winkler, Summer Foundation CEO.

“The funding is there in the NDIS, the will is there in the community, and with a good plan and dedicated focus, the issue can be resolved.”

Youngcare CEO Anthony Ryan said the report’s recommendations were a positive step towards ensuring young Australians with disability choose how they live their lives.

“Our passion is to give young people the choice that everyone deserves. In coming out so strongly, the Royal Commission gives a guide to what we all need to do to bring this about.”

The Interim Report was informed by young people living in aged care giving harrowing evidence to the Royal Commission.

Describing his nursing home room as “Cell 14”, Neale Radley spoke of the loneliness and isolation that is his life in aged care, while James Nutt referred to his time in a nursing home as a prison sentence.

You can download a PDF copy of this statement here.

[lead]People with disability in hospital and aged care now able to move home with support from the NDIS.[/lead]

The Summer Foundation welcomes the decisions made on Friday by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Disability Reform Council for the NDIS to fund a range of disability-related health supports.

An initiative announced today will help Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) providers understand their obligations in delivering high quality services to National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants.

Joint Statement from the Summer Foundation and Youngcare

Announcements today about reforms to the Specialist Disability Accommodation Framework for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) have been welcomed by the Summer Foundation and Youngcare.