Achieving sustainable client services and a positive outcome by Being proactive in the face of change Lesley Morris, Sheryl Cain & Indra Arunachalam July 2012

Session outline o The Organisation o The Challenge o The Process o The Tools o Workgroups o Conclusion

Port Stephens Community Care o $1.6M HACC provider o NFP company limited by guarantee o 7 board members and 60 members o 34 employees, 240 volunteers o 1,200 clients o North of Newcastle – retirement destination o Rapidly ageing population

What were our challenges? o Two funding agreements o Community Care Common Standards o Competing in a consumer directed market o Competition from regional/national/international providers with corporate support o Changing client expectations – continuum of care o Competing for the shrinking workforce

What were our options? o Stay as we were o Amalgamate with other similar not-for-profit organisation(s) o Amalgamate with another complementary larger organisation with similar values and vision o Be taken over by a larger organisation

What was our process? o Increasing Board’s Awareness o Board Briefing o PSCC Aged Care Taskforce o Terms of Reference: –Goals: investigate models and make recommendation –Review Productivity Commission Report –Investigate opportunities and risks –Develop a plan –Communication with stakeholders

What the PSCC Task Force did… o Interview tool – incl. structure, values, vision, workforce development, marketing, non-negotiables o Interviewed 3 shortlisted amalgamation candidates o Risk Assessment o Joint Amalgamation Working Party o Communication Strategy

What the PSCC Board did… o Decision Processes o People and Change Management o Due diligence investigations o Cultural and systems assessments o Merger plan

Workgroups... o Risk Management o Interview tool o Communication Strategy

Conclusion o The “Living Longer Living Better” reforms will effect all aged care providers o Amalgamations are one way of ensuring sustainable aged care services in our local communities o There are systematic ways to explore your options o Act on findings – make an informed decision

Questions ??? Lesley Morris Sheryl Cain Indra Arunachalam