2018

In 2017-18 Barkuma experienced a year of significant change.

Geoff Blackwood resigned from Barkuma in November after four years as Chief Executive Of cer (CEO). We sincerely thank Geoff for his signi cant and valuable contribution to the organisation and wish him well in the future.

After a wide ranging search process, the Board appointed an experienced member of Barkuma’s Senior Executive Team, Simon Rowberry, as Chief Executive Officer in May 2018. Simon undertook the role of CEO, impressing the Board with his ability to unite the Barkuma team in a time which is challenging the sector with the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Major changes in 2017-18 included

• making a decision to cease operation of Barkuma’s Registered Training Organisation after 18 years of operation
• continuing reduction of State and Federal government funding, and the
• introduction of Risk Adjusted Outcome Payments in Disability Employment Services.

Throughout these changes, Barkuma stoically maintained its Core Values of

• Respecting Human Worth and Dignity
• Inclusion of all People in the Community
• Promoting individual Growth and Development
• Improving Quality of Life, and
• Striving for Excellence

which remain the driving force behind all decisions.

Barkuma has continued to be guided by its 2017-2020 Strategic Plan and its four Key Result Areas (KRA’s)

• KRA 1 - Service Delivery
• KRA 2 - Building Organisational Capacity
• KRA 3 - Workforce Development, and
• KRA 4 - Financial Sustainability.

The KRA’s are the central tenets of all operations and underpin all decisions made.

The challenges of the NDIS, Risk Adjusted Funding Outcome Payments and reducing State and Federal Government income streams required Barkuma to review all operations and adapt its delivery models to ensure sustainability.

Challenge brings opportunity and Barkuma looks forward to continuing to adapt and grow its business in line with the ever changing needs of its current and future customers.

Amongst the many highlights of Barkuma’s year were

1. the expansion of Barkuma’s Disability Employment Service into two new areas: Northern Adelaide and Gawler
2. a number of Barkuma programs and people were recognised locally and nationally as amongst the best in their fields
3. further cementing Barkuma’s reputation as a preferred partner in transition services to people with disability, and
4. increasing the number of people supported through the NDIS.

It is a privilege and an honor to continue to serve Barkuma and to present our report to the Board.

Simon Rowberry
Chief Executive Officer

Chas Allen
Chairperson

Transition Graduation Program 2017

NDS Open Employment Award

New Disability Employment Services Contracts

City of Playford Mayoral Award

Overview

Over the past 12 months 135 people accessed NDIS support through Barkuma. This included supports in

• Finding and Keeping a Job
• Support Coordination
• Improved Daily Living
• Increased Social and Community Participation
• Assistance to Access Community
• Assistance with Self Care Activities
• Improved Learning, and
• Improved Relationships.

Process Improvement

Barkuma’s intake processes and systems have continued to be developed, strengthening our responses to new and existing Barkuma customers on their NDIS journey. In particular we have utilised various technologies to ensure the smooth transition into accessing our NDIS support.

New Additions to the Team

The Intake and Development team welcomed two new members; Dijana Spinelli has taken the role
of Administration Of cer and Paul Simon was appointed Intake and Development Coordinator. In their new roles, Dijana and Paul have focused on responding to enquiries from the community whilst keeping up to date with NDIS information.

Alex’s Story

When Golden Grove High School student Alex was exploring his career options, working in an Australian Disability Enterprise (ADE) appealed to him. Alex, with support from his school, researched different ADE’s in the area and approached Barkuma to undertake some work experience. Despite still being at school, Alex wanted to continue working at Barkuma.

Alex absolutely loved his work experience and got offered a job, but because he didn’t have Finding and Keeping a Job in his NDIS plan he couldn’t accept it. With Barkuma’s help he was able to add it into his plan and accepted the position.
- Katerina, Alex’s mum

Better Pathways

In the 2017-18 nancial year Barkuma’s Better Pathways program supported 206 young people across 18 schools, with 24 students successfully completing the program. We are happy to report that every student who completed the program this year achieved their aspirational post school outcome.

At the 2017 City of Playford International Day
for People with Disability Mayoral Awards, the Better Pathways program was joint winner of the Business/ Employment/ Education Award for outstanding contribution to young people with disability in the council area. A truly outstanding achievement.

Transition Program

Barkuma’s Transition Program worked collaboratively with the Department of Education, Catholic Education South Australia and the Association of Independent Schools in South Australia to support students transition from school to future pathways.

Twenty two program graduates commenced with Barkuma’s Disability Employment Service (Barkuma Employment) with six securing employment.

The Adelaide Convention Centre again supported the program by hosting the annual graduation ceremony. This year also marked the rst time the program had a sponsor, with StreetFleet of cially unveiled as the major corporate supporter.

Flexible Learning Options

The Flexible Learning Options (FLO) program supported 28 young people across 12 schools. As part of this program, case managers worked with students to develop pathways towards their education and employment goals.

Emma’s Story

Emma, who completed the Transition Program in 2017, works at Colonel Light Gardens World of Learning eight hours a week. She had always been interested in the childcare sector and completed a Certi cate III in Early Childhood and Care before the program started.

Emma wanted to keep options open and explored retail as a potential career pathway. Soon discovering her love for childcare was too strong and when she signed up with Barkuma Employment after the program nished, Barkuma found Emma a new role engaging and supervising children as well as contributing to the centre’s education program.

Emma enjoys her new role and couldn’t be happier.

Overview

In the 2017-18 nancial year Barkuma secured 78 new jobs while supporting 503 participants to nd and maintain employment; a 19% increase on the previous nancial year.

This is testament to our reputation as a leading provider of specialist disability employment support and the importance Barkuma places on building and fostering new partnerships with employers across metropolitan Adelaide.

National Disability Services (NDS) Award

The Disability Employment Excellence Awards recognise, encourage and promote the important contribution
that Disability Enterprises and Disability Employment Service providers make in improving the lives of people with disability. At the 2018 NDS Disability at Work Conference, Barkuma was awarded Runner up in the Open Employment Excellence category.

Expanding our Service

Barkuma has been successful in its bid to expand our service and has secured new contracts to deliver employment supports in the Northern Adelaide and Gawler regions. From July 1, 2018, Barkuma will deliver specialist (Developmental Disability) support and occupy site premises in Eastern Adelaide, Western Adelaide, Northern Adelaide and Gawler.

The new contract offers participants greater choice and control. Providers will be required to attract all new business via direct referral avenues. Barkuma is well positioned in this new environment due to its long standing, successful reputation and experience within the sector.

Tim’s Story

When Tim came into Barkuma’s Disability Employment Service in 2016, he mentioned how much he enjoyed his work experience at Des’s Minibuses whilst in high school. Discussions led to an employment opportunity and Tim now works at Des’s three days a week.

We’ve seen Tim’s con dence grow. Barkuma feels Tim makes Des’s a better place. He has added to our culture and undertakes a high quality of work.

- Operations Manager, Bruce

Tim is very happy with the opportunity and said "I absolutely love it. I love working with our buses."

Building Relationships

Barkuma has continued to develop strong relationships with schools across Northern Adelaide. These relationships aim to provide a meaningful pathway for students with disability to find and maintain rewarding employment with Barkuma.

The focus again this year has been to continue the growth and development of our business solutions. Barkuma has welcomed many new customers and has also expanded its services with existing customers.

Upgrades at Elizabeth

Barkuma’s Elizabeth factory has had an exterior upgrade with a fresh coat of paint and new branded signage. As part of the project, the car parks were also re-marked to improve access for customers and staff. Internally, we’ve installed new heaters for factory staff and are progressively upgrading the furniture.

Award Winning Service

At the 2017 City of Playford International Day for People with Disability Mayoral Awards Barkuma’s team won a number of awards. Our Let’s Get Cooking program was joint winner of the Business/ Employment/ Education Award, while Justin Kearvall received a special commendation in the Personal Development category award.

Future Plans

Over the next 12 months Barkuma will continue to focus on growth, networking and employment pathways. Commercial Services will be providing exible employment options with arrangements that maximise opportunities and give people more choice.

Amy’s Story

Amy started with Barkuma in June 2015 after transitioning from Golden Grove High School. She works as a Production Assistant, with her duties ranging from packaging products to shredding confidential documents.

Amy is a positive role model for all supported employees at Barkuma especially those transitioning from school to the workplace. Amy is well known to young people within her community and is always available to support Barkuma’s new employees with their transition.

Recently Amy hosted Federal Assistant Minister for Social and Disability Services, the Hon Jane Prentice when she visited the Holden Hill factory. This included Amy taking the Minister on a tour of Barkuma’s factory and introducing her to fellow team members.

Accommodation and Respite

In 2017-18 Barkuma assisted 47 customers transition to the NDIS. As part of this transition, we provided the following NDIS supports

• Assistance with Daily Life
• Assistance with Self Care Activities
• Assistance to Access Community, Social and Recreational Activities
• Improved Living Arrangements
• Increased Social and Community Participation
• Improved Relationships, and
• Improved Daily Living.

Farewell

At the end of the 2017-18 nancial year, two wonderful colleagues and friends, who have collectively been involved with Barkuma for nearly 50 years were farewelled. We thank Margaret Fischer and Liz Grosser who were Accommodation and Respite’s senior leaders for their dedication and incredible service.

Support and Family Education

Delivered by Barkuma’s Intervention Team, the Support and Family Education (SAFE) program continued supporting families across metropolitan Adelaide to develop and maintain their parenting skills.

Sean’s Story

Barkuma first supported Sean in his family home to build rapport and confidence whilst providing respite for his family. Sean’s love for cars led to an opportunity for him to volunteer at the National Motor Museum.

Sean is always enthusiastic in his approach to the duties he is given and is well guided by his support worker, Huen

- Sue Wheeler from the Museum

Together they worked to improve Sean’s communication skills, ensuring positive and rewarding experiences. Sean has now moved out of his family home and is being supported to live independently with his new house mate. He is continuing to learn skills to enable him to gain further independence and future paid employment.

Accredited Training

In 2017-18 Barkuma Training delivered the following accredited courses

• CHC33015 Certi cate III Individual Support (Disability)
• CHC43115 Certi cate IV Disability, and
• CHC43315 Certi cate IV Mental Health.

Short Courses

In response to the NDIS, Barkuma Training non accredited short courses provided opportunities for staff in the sector to further develop their careers.

• Courses included
• Child Safe Environments
• Manual Handling
• Person Centred Thinking
• First Aid, and
• Positive Behaviour Management.

Student Feedback

Testimonials received from past students include

An extremely supportive team of people, always ready and willing to help, always supportive.

I feel I am really fortunate to be trained by Barkuma. The trainers are excellent and I feel I have the knowledge about what it takes to effectively work in the disability sector.

Anne’s Story

After working in retail Anne knew she wanted to work in the disability sector. Anne said “I knew this type of work would be very rewarding. I’ve had personal experiences with people with disability and I am passionate about equal rights.”

Studying a Certi cate III in Individual Support (Disability) was always a goal for Anne, with Barkuma Training her preferred choice.

Through training, Anne also completed a work placement in Barkuma’s Accommodation and Respite service. Anne’s values and person centered approach aligns with Barkuma’s mission and values.

Through her placement she was successful in gaining employment as a support worker. To anyone considering working in the disability sector Anne said “If you’re passionate, do it!”