ACCOMMODATION SERVICE MANAGER
MIRIANA GAZIVODA ASM
In 2008/09 a CQI Strategy has been to train all staff to an agreed level of competence. Staff Evaluations and feedback provided by staff at our Quarterly General Staff meetings, Strategic Planning Questionnaires and Surveys all provide valuable information about the training needs and expectations of our House Managers, Therapists and Direct Care Workers.

Certificate IV in Disability Studies is now a pre-requisite to employment. All new recruits are asked to commit to completing this Certificate in house before commencing work at a Forsight group home. A high level of support is given to each worker to ensure that their studies do not impact on their work performance. In addition, internal training programs are offered.

This past year Forsight has held workshops in:

Finger Spelling = Deaf Blind Services, Vision Australia. Makaton = Makaton Australia. Behaviour Intervention = ADHC. Mental Health and Disability = ADHC. Fire Protection = Wormald. Policies and Procedures = Forsight. Critical Incident Reporting = Forsight.

Direct Care Workers who are members of the OHS Representatives’ Group all attended external courses in OHWS conducted by Courtaulds.
ADHC came to Forsight this year to conduct staff training sessions. This new arrangement has meant that all workers have been given the opportunity to attend.

Weekly management meetings and monthly group home meetings bring structure and clarity to each worker about their the role, responsibility and duty of care owed to each resident living in a Forsight group home and provides an evidence base for us to measure our performance. The unique communication method used by each adult can be documented and shared so that communication skills learned by each resident can be used consistently.

Daily routines in each group home are much the same as for any normal home.

A trip to the Supermarket for healthy foods to ensure good nutrition and diet and the Pharmacy to ensure safe medication management. Trips to the local General Practitioner for day to day medical matters are backed up by a Health Care Plan developed by the Developmental Disability Health Unit (DDHU) in Ryde for residents needing this level of support mean that all medical treatment is carried out according to a coordinated HCP. The level of support by DADHC this year has been appreciated by residents and staff.

Recreational activities included, Blind Bowls at Belfield Bowling Club, Riding for the Disabled at Penrith, Hand Over Hand at Deafblind Association of NSW, Dance Therapy at Forsight and Music Therapy at UWS Penrith. Family holidays and individual holidays through Special Care Travel have also been enjoyed.

Miriana Gazivoda ASM.

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