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PROJECT
OURSPACE
Phone: 07-38813310 Fax: 07-38813306
Website: www.spectrum.org.au Email: manager@spectrum.org.au
10 Leanne Crescent Lawton, Brisbane QLD 4501 PO Box 2107 Strathpine QLD 4500
PROJECT
OURSPACE
Project Ourspace is an integrated community based concept
developed by the Spectrum Organization founded on many years
of experience in the community service, employment, counseling,
recreation, health and fitness and disability fields. Following is a
concept document outlining our vision for this project.
The project:
To create a service that can offer a truly holistic
model of service delivery to meet the needs of the
local community. It has become apparent that there
are many gaps in service provision in our local area
which render many current services less effective than
they should be. Our experience with the community,
particularly with disadvantaged groups, has led us
to the conclusion that there are significant social
and economic benefits to be gained through the
establishment of a ‘one stop shop’ of community
services. The goal would be to engage the services
of several service operators and provide this from the
one, easily accessible, suitably constructed location.
The service model would be dynamic and have the
flexibility to adapt to the needs of the individual
in addition to addressing identified gaps in service
provision in a prompt and effective manner.
The people:
The Need:
Project Ourspace is community focused in its design
and will not discriminate or specialize regarding its
client base. It is our aim to create a service that
is inclusive, involving any needy members of the
community and will deliver services in a manner that
promotes collaboration rather than segregation.
As a community service Spectrum is inundated with
people from all sectors of our local community who
are literally crying out for help. Each day we turn away
people who we can simply not accommodate. While at
times we offer very short term counseling and services
(unfunded), we can not even come close to meeting
the need.
There are many groups that are defined as
disadvantaged within our local area including:
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5.
People with a disability
Youth
Non English speaking back ground
Indigenous Australians
Seniors
While Spectrum has experience in working with
each of these populations and understands the
unique barriers and difficulties faced by each,
specialist services focused on the specific groups can
discourage inclusive practices. It is our aim to use our
specialist skills and experience to work with people as
individuals and generic groups representative of the
local population to model and foster a collaborative
community.
The support we offer is merely a ‘band aid’ approach
and while people may receive some relief in their
current crisis, no long-term benefit is achieved and
our resources are exhausted. For any real, long-term
solution to occur we need a more intensive, flexible,
holistic approach. Currently our region of Pine Rivers,
Brisbane North, Caboolture and Redcliffe is completely
devoid of any providers offering the range of services
and model of delivery that we are proposing. The
region has an array of serious issues such as drug/
ice problems, homeless issues, domestic violence,
unemployment, lack of training and a lack of programs
that address: coping skills and basic life skills and
parenting issues.
PROJECT
OURSPACE
The Facility:
The Staff:
Project Ourspace is a newly constructed building
purpose built to house the following:
To provide the high quality and range of services
we are proposing it is essential to engage suitably
experienced and committed staff. We estimate the
standard staffing arrangement to be:
1.Computer room and access to the internet
2.Training rooms for a variety of specific life/work
skills
3.
Lounge area
4.
Counseling rooms
5.Professional rooms for visiting pro bono
professional volunteers (ie. Solicitor/Doctor)
6.
Open space
7.
Recreation room
The building would be constructed on the same
premises as the existing Spectrum services. This will
assist with the on-site availability of:
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a dditional services including employment,
training, fitness and recreation
professional support staff
appropriate security
the community
The Spectrum Community Centre is already an
established part of this local community with
approximately 800 community members already
accessing the organization for training, employment,
counseling, recreation and fitness. The relationship
between Project Ourspace and the existing Spectrum
services would be complementary for all involved.
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2.
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5.
6.
7.
1112111-
Full Manager
Psychologist
Accredited Trainer
Rehab Counselors / Support Staff
Social Worker
Employment Officer
Administrative Support Officer
The services of visiting professionals including solicitors
and doctors would also be engaged.
The Program:
Individuals would agree to come on the program. There
is currently no shortage of likely candidates in the local
area. Each participant would sign an agreed contract
to attend specific services that the centre delivers. Each
person would have an agreed time frame depending
on his/her needs. This program may consist of training
programs in life skills, work skills, developing coping
skills, self esteem programs, nutritional advice, health
matters, counseling, legal matters, goal setting, drug
and alcohol substance abuse issues ect. To ensure
equitable service delivery to those in greatest need of
support and most willing to commit to engaging in the
program, there would be a commitment on the part of
the client to attend a range of the centre services or risk
being exited from the program.
Clients in urgent need would be able to access
assistance immediately, without having to wait weeks
or even months to access services. Staffing would be
stable to assist in engaging the trust of clients and
providing continuity in service.
The Ourspace premises would be available for
structured training and support programs in addition
to a drop-in centre for companionship, support,
engagement and specialist services. Clients could use
the centre to job search, a place to be safe, a place to
be rehabilitated and a place to address their particular
situation.
The centre would have links also with medical
professionals and legal professionals. Support staff
would accompany the clients when necessary to attend
appointments in relation to court matters, medical
issues, employment interviews ect.
Unless we change the way we are doing things, our
communities will continue to bend under the stress of
growing needs for community-based assistance.
We are seeking assistance to provide a much needed
service using the most appropriate model of delivery. To
assisting our community to help itself, we will provide
a safe, supportive environment where service users can
build a trusting relationship with the service. At the
same time we will be providing the clients with services
that meet their individual needs and engaging them in
the community that supports them.
What we need to make it work:
Recurrent Funding of: $942,800 per annum
Non Recurrent: Construction Costs: $650,000 Spectrum to
contribute 50%
Total clients we could assist: would be 90 people per annum
Estimated: cost per person of: $6,000
Case Studies:
These cases are real and have occurred over the last 2 weeks.
People present to our service on a regular basis unfortunately we
do not have the resources to handle these reoccurring issues.
Client A:
Client “A” presented with his mother to our service.
He is a drug user aged 22 years. He is currently taking
the drug referred to as ICE; he is also currently using
speed and other prohibited substances. He isn’t
working, can not access services, is violent and his
mother does not want him living in her house.
He supports his habit by stealing. He has a criminal
record for drug use, stealing and violence. He is
not ready for employment and can not find any
accommodation.
He has been evicted from his friend’s house. He needs
counseling which we can not provide as we are already
over taxed. He has no money. Support services are not
available in the area and he is told he has to wait. He
has low self esteem and a poor image of himself. He
needs help now. His mother also needs assistance.
Client B:
Client “B” presented to our service for an initial
interview for employment. Client “B“is a female
aged 38 years, recently divorced and is currently
homeless. No fixed address. In the initial interview for
employment assistance she appeared unstable and
suffers from depression and a psychiatric condition.
She informed our employment officer that she was
going to commit suicide when she left our office. We
believe this threat was real. We tried to talk with her
however she left our premises heading to her previous
home where her ex husband lived.
We did not have any right to detain her and simply
reported the incident to the police. The woman
concerned is not ready for employment and as our
service currently exists we have no facility or resources
to address this situation.
Client C:
Client “C “walked in off the street, she was in
desperate need of some assistance. She refused to
leave until she saw someone. She had been shunted
from service to service and could not afford counseling
from commercial counseling operators. She was a
young woman who prostituted herself to support a
drug habit. She was confused about her sexuality and
was raped at the age of 14 by a group of young boys
at her school. She never reported the incident and had
not sought help.
She started taking drugs at the age of 15 years. She
has a criminal record for stealing and solicitation.
She lives on the streets. She was not registered with
Centrelink.
Client D :
Client “D” presented as a referral from a government
agency for training and development of life skills and
employment. She is 19years old and homeless. She
moves between various ‘friends’ residences and periods
on the street or with people she has met.
Life skills programs are difficult to implement due to
many factors including: difficulty maintaining contact,
shortage of highly skilled staff to support her off
site, and a suspected underlying psychiatric condition
which is yet to be investigated. There are also a range
of issues which remain unaddressed due to the lack
of suitable services which are of a higher priority
to the development of life skills and employment.
These issues include: Ongoing health issues, mental
health issues, homelessness, abuse, unsafe sexually
promiscuous behaviour, unplanned pregnancy etc.
This client is extremely vulnerable and requires
assistance to access the services of doctors, mental
health professionals and legal advice. She has
been beaten and taken advantage of sexually on
numerous occasions due to her unstable and unsafe
lifestyle. When attempts have been made to engage
other services she has been reluctant to talk to new
‘professionals’ and often lies to them. She requires a
service provider that can be fully aware of her complex
situation and earn her trust.
Client E:
Client “E” was being maintained in employment
by our service. He is a middle aged man with
schizophrenia and a suspected mild intellectual
impairment.
His personal situation had been stressful for some
time with numerous relationship issues and custody
disputes regarding his two young children. He
informed his support worker that he had been looking
for counseling but was unable to afford the prices and
couldn’t get in to see anyone outside of work hours
for several weeks. He requested our help. Within
two days, before we were able to arrange something
for him, he became stressed in the workplace, started
altercation with his employer and a few coworkers and
was terminated from his position.
He calls frequently requesting our assistance because
he needs ongoing counseling from an appropriate
professional. He also has difficulty understanding
what his lawyer tells him and what he needs to do
to correctly follow the court’s directions regarding his
children. He is still unemployed and finding another
position that is appropriate to his limited skill base,
where the employer will understand his disabilities and
personal situation is going to be difficult.
Client F:
Client F is seeking employment with the assistance of
our service. When she came in for an appointment
she told one of the staff that she wanted to be dead
and that there was nothing left for her in this life.
Fortunately one of our counselors was able to speak
with her immediately and any potential crisis was
averted.
She is a middle aged woman with a physical disability
and has had ongoing (5years) difficulties with
depression. Her GP has prescribed medications which
she has taken on and off but has never had any formal
counseling. She has no goals for the future, no job, no
family, few friends and is at risk of homelessness due
to her dire financial situation.
Client G:
Client G is a member of the local community. He is
31years old, gainfully employed and has a wife and
two children. He phoned our counseling service in
great distress. He and his wife needed to speak with
someone, for counseling, as soon as possible, that
the situation at home was in crisis and he suspected
that his wife was experiencing a mental illness. His
attempts to obtain an appointment with numerous
services had been unsuccessful due to extended
waiting times. The best timeframe he had been given
was 4weeks with a possibility of something sooner
should there be a cancellation. We were able to offer
an appointment 8days from the time of his call. We
suggested the 24hour hotlines in the meantime,
should the situation become more desperate and
he advised that they had already tried this but were
uncomfortable talking to someone they couldn’t see.
Area Needs Analysis
Aim: The purpose of this analysis was to gauge
the level of unmet need for community service
provision within the region accessible to the Moreton
Bay Regional Council residents. This analysis will
draw feedback from NGOs operating in the area from
Brisbane City to Caboolture.
arrangements for people with high support
needs that have no individual funding, domestic
assistance (aged and disability), accessible
and affordable basic health services, transport
assistance.
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Sample Profile:
92 community service
providers from the Pine Rivers Shire Council Community
Directory were identified. Government Departments
and Services were excluded from the sample. The
services that responded provided a reasonable cross
section of geographical region and service type.
Method: A survey was designed to address
the particular points of interest or concern relating to
this analysis. The data generated was both qualitative
in nature to allow participants to respond freely to
open questions and quantitative to give defined
measurements. A copy of the survey utilized is
attached.
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Results:
As expected with such a variety of
service models, responses varied on some questions.
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ll services indicated that they have identified a
A
level of unmet need in the local area.
Half of the services reported difficulty sourcing
options for people that require referral and the
issue of waiting periods for other services was
cited by 90% of the services surveyed. Waiting
periods varied from 1day to 12months
A wide variety of service types were identified
as lacking including respite (aged and
disability), affordable accommodation, crisis
accommodation for families, interventions,
therapy and support for children with autism
and their families, after school care for children
with disabilities, weekend respite for carers,
affordable long term support options for
survivors of sexual violence, housing assistance,
free counseling, live in respite options,
family networking support, block funding
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s immediate needs services listed increased
A
funds for capital works, service expansion and
improved working conditions and wages for
service employees in addition to individual
services.
Services varied in their opinion as the most
pressing issue the community is currently facing
but most identified an unmet need of some
description.
70% of services believed that they were not
receiving adequate funding to provide the
necessary services.
90% of services reported issues with staffing
relating to having the capacity to provide
appropriate remuneration to retain them,
difficulty identifying and attracting suitably
qualified and experienced staff and difficulty
competing with government and ‘for-profit’
providers in pay and conditions for staff.
60% of providers listed factors including poor
pay, burnout and lack of resources as the main
reasons for their staff leaving while others
referred to career changes and a desire for fulltime, stable employment.
40% of providers each recorded turning between
3 and 15 people away each week while other
services reported none or onward referral.
Suggestions for improvement centered mainly
around improved and increased funding
arrangements allowing providers to expand and
service more people. The need for improved
conditions and remuneration for staff was
recorded by most with particular reference by
some to the growing need for professionalization
of our organizations and the failure of
government funding to keep pace with these
changes.
Conclusion:
There is clear evidence that
a level of unmet need exists within our community
and that the specifics of this need varies, covering a
vast range of service types. This provides evidence
for our assertion that services should be multifaceted
and flexible to the needs of their current and potential
clients as well as adaptable to the changing demands
for various service types.
A couple of the surveys also mentioned issues
associated with eligibility criteria. This issue is a
potential minefield for people seeking a service. Not
only do they have to find someone who can provide the
service they need, ensure availability/vacancy and access
the service, but they must also withstand measurement
against the eligibility criteria. For someone with limited
coping skills and support networks, particularly when
literacy or socialization are an issue, this can easily make
the whole business of seeking help just too hard. A
flexible, single site, multifaceted service model would
address these barriers.
It also seems clear that government and industry
together need to evaluate and address the situation
arising in NGOs. NGOs perform a valuable role in
the community and deliver cost effective services for
governments. The process of evaluating the adequacy
of funding for such services should however be an
ongoing one and it seems clear that the situation has
now become dire. NGO staff are often expected to
work longer hours for less money and with less benefits
like higher super and paid maternity leave, than they
would receive should they work in similar positions
for government or ‘for-profit’ businesses. In order for
NGOs to continue to perform effectively they need to
be equipped to provide appropriate remuneration and
competitive conditions to their employees.
NGOs need to be appropriately resourced with both
staff and materials to perform effectively and thereby
make best use of available government funds and
avoid disempowerment and disenchantment among
staff. Professional qualifications and experience are
becoming ever more crucial for service staff and NGOs
need the appropriate resources to attract and retain
such personnel. The findings of this survey support our
proposal to retain a multidisciplinary team to provide
services from a single site. This would ensure that
staff with the necessary professional qualifications and
experience would be there to provide support and
guidance to clients and other staff. The aim would be
to avoid situations where staff may feel unsupported or
out of their depth with a presenting client and ensure
that all clients get a professional standard of service
without having to access several different providers.
Overall, there is much evidence, both qualitative and
quantitative, from this needs analysis to support the
consideration of a new model of service funding and
delivery.
Budget For: Ourspace
Staffing:
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6.
7.
1112111-
Full time Manager
Psychologist
Accredited Trainer with broad skill base
Rehab Counselors / Support Staff
Social Worker
Employment Officer
Administrative Support Officer
Expenses:
$12,000
Stationary / Printing:
$55,000
Mobile Phones:
Electricity:
$6,500
$20,000
Rates:
$7,000
Security:
$1,500
Professional Fees:
$54,000
(audits, seek ltd, D.Unwin,
Wages total:
Wages total:
Super@9%:
Work Cover:
Holiday Loading @17.5%: Telephone:
interpreters, other professionals etc.)
$ 480,000
$ 43,000
$ 2,600
$6,500
Motor Vehicle Expenses:
Prof Memberships
$1,000
Government Fees:
$2,000
Banking Fees:
$3,000
Travel/Tolls/Parking:
(7 Motor Vehicles)
Postage:
Currently spending approximately:
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Fuel per year
$36,000
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Registration
$5,000
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Maintenance
$5,000
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Insurances
$4,000
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Replacement
$ 66,000
$23,000
$5,000
Computers/Kent:
$25,000
Training/Professional
development: $16,000
Public Relations:
$30,000
(advertising/marketing/information
distribution/community liaison)
Insurances
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Business Insurance
Machinery Breakdown
Professional Indemnity
Public Liability
$6,000
$3,000
$4,500
$1,200
Maintenance –Buildings: $6,000
Maintenance – Grounds: $10,000
Cleaning:
TOTAL:
$3,000
$942,800
Facility Floor Plan
Our Current Facility
This site is home to the Spectrum Community Centre, a facility well
known in the area for providing services to all in the community.
Industry Feedback Form
Name of your Organisation:...................................................................................................................................
Address of Organisation:.......................................................................................................................................
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Contact Phone Number:........................................................................................................................................
Name of person completing questionnaire:............................................................................................................
Position this person in the Organisation:................................................................................................................
Target population of your organisation ie. Disability/youth/Drugs/rehabilitation ect: ................................................
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Range of services provided by your organisation:....................................................................................................
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1. Do you have a waiting list for clients:
Yes/ No (please circle)
2. Through your organisation, have you identified a level of unmet need in our local area? This may be through
people you have been unable to service due to lack of sufficient funds or limits to the scope of your service.
Yes / No (please circle)
3.When it is necessary to refer people to other services, do you have difficulty sourcing timely, appropriate
options for them?
Yes / No (please circle)
4.When referring clients to other organisations, is there a waiting period prior to clients receiving services from
these organisations?
Yes / No (please circle)
If yes to the previous question, how long is that waiting time? ..............................................................................
5.
What type of services are lacking in our local community? ...............................................................................
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6.
What resource/assistance is required immediately? ..........................................................................................
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7. What is the most pressing issue you believe the community is facing right now? ..............................................
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8. Is your service funded adequately?
Yes / No (please circle)
9. Are your staff being paid sufficient to hold them?
Yes / No (please circle)
10. Is finding qualified/experienced staff difficult?
Yes / No (please circle)
11. Do you find it difficult to compete with Government/Private providers when recruiting staff?
Yes / No (please circle)
12. What do you believe is the main reason why staff leave your Organisation?.....................................................
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13.Can you give some indication of how many clients/people you turn away from your service daily/weekly?
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14. What are the age groups that you work with?.................................................................................................
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15. The people in greatest need of a service are? .................................................................................................
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16.
If you could change a particular feature of your service to improve service delivery, what would it be and why?
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17.
What do you need right now that would improve your service delivery?...........................................................
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18.
Other issues that you would like to comment on are: (attach more material if you wish) .................................
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