Focal Community Service’s work supporting people with disability in the Ipswich community will continue through a planned transition to Achieve Australia, following approval by Focal members.
The transition is intended to support the sustainability and continuity of Focal’s services, while protecting participants, employees and Focal’s enduring community legacy.
Focal has supported people with disability, their families and carers in Ipswich since 1974. It is a well-established not-for-profit disability provider, with an established NDIS client base, a locally embedded workforce and strong community relationships.
The decision follows careful consideration, by the Focal Board and its Members, of the changing operating environment for NDIS providers. It also reflects the need to support the long-term continuity of services for participants, families, employees and the Ipswich community.
Achieve Australia was selected as Focal’s transition partner following an expression of interest process. Key considerations included cultural fit, similar charitable purpose, the ability to sustain and enhance service delivery, and a commitment to offering ongoing employment for the majority of Focal’s workforce, particularly people in caring and support roles.
For over 50 years Focal has maintained a strong commitment to supporting people with disabilities, their families and carers in the Ipswich region. This transitional partnership with Achieve Australia provides continuity and certainty to the community we serve. We are confident that Achieve Australia will not only sustain our existing programs and supports but will bring their wealth of experience to successfully leading new initiatives into the future
– Tanya Miller, Focal Community Services CEO
Achieve Australia is honoured to continue Focal’s work in Ipswich and support the people, families, employees and community connected to its services.
Our focus will be on working closely with Focal to support a careful transition, maintain continuity of services and respect the strong community relationships Focal has built over many years
– Jo-Anne Hewitt, Achieve Australia CEO
Achieve Australia will work with Focal on a careful transition process focused on continuity of support for participants and families, clear communication with employees and stakeholders, and planning across services, workforce transfer, onboarding and compliance.
The services that will transition include in-home and community-based supports, community participation and access, capacity building supports and respite.
About Achieve Australia
Achieve Australia is a not-for-profit community organisation with roots tracing back to 1952. It is a registered NDIS provider supporting more than 550 clients and employing over 1,500 people in Queensland and New South Wales.
Media contact – Focal Community Services:
Tanya Miller
Chief Executive Officer
0407 892 605
CEO@Focal.org.au
Media contact – Achieve Australia:
Sarah Archer
Chief Strategy Officer
04177 50 211