![Collaboration: "It's vital for people with a disability to have choice," says My Goal Australia founder Dean Kidd. Collaboration: "It's vital for people with a disability to have choice," says My Goal Australia founder Dean Kidd.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/bqdQRkGWa6KxJcTc68JEjK/bad86896-132c-4373-aa8b-0957591f0097.jpg/r0_0_5952_3968_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
What influenced your career?
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I always enjoyed the idea of a role working with people. I remember saying to my Year 12 Business Studies teacher that I wanted to do some kind of engineering and she said, 'Great choice, just not for you. You have to be with people because you would be wasted otherwise.'
How did you enter the disability sector?
I worked firstly in youth services supporting young people with trauma to live safely in their own accommodation before moving into the disability space. I worked in the sector while I completed my Bachelor of Education at the University of Newcastle. I could see positive outcomes for the people I supported, and I really enjoyed that. I saw this as a great career option.
Your experience?
I've been lucky to work in a variety of roles in the disability field. I worked as a disability support worker/youth worker before taking on leadership roles in NGOs.
Why did you start My Goal Australia?
I could see an opportunity to provide a local, agile service using what's called a wrap-around collaborative approach. Realistically neither disability service providers or family and friends alone are able to meet all the needs of a person with disability. The wrap-around collaborative approach involves tapping into both paid services and informal supports like, family and friends, complements and balances each other. to create confidence and promote independence. We also felt that we could provide a style of service that matches our participants personal level of motivation and energy to help them achieve their goals.
What are its services?
My Goal is a community-based company providing people with a disability access to a range of services and opportunities to promote independence and inclusion. We offer Supported Independent Living - and community participation services to both standard and high intensity participants. We are based in Charlestown and the company supports people with a disability and their families in Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Maitland and Cessnock. The company works closely with related services, business and community organisations in these areas.
Why is it needed?
There's an ongoing need to provide Supported Independent Living and community participation services. It's vital for people with a disability to have choice. There are local community-based organisations providing similar services, but each offers a different approach and unique culture, providing choice and control to the people we support.
Biggest challenges for your business under NDIS?
Collaborative approaches [our model] involve high levels of management and strong relationships. It requires input and buy-in from families, friends and a range of service providers. This means a higher level of facilitation and oversight. But it's the best way to ensure our participants' outcomes/ goals are supported.
Do you believe the NDIS is working successfully?
Yes, I do. I am a realist, so I will be one of the first to say that there are service gaps like most businesses. But the agency that delivers the National Disability Scheme have such a mammoth responsibility and they need our support. I believe that the agency has conquered the initial challenge to take the NDIS from trial through to rollout and I look forward to seeing some real benefits for people with a disability and their families.
Where can it improve?
Hospitalisation of people with a disability in emergency accommodation situations needs significant improvement. There is no specialised space that cater the appropriately for people with a disability in crisis. The option available to people in this circumstance is to be cared for in an acute care setting that is designed to take people for 24-48 hours as an in-patient in a mental health department at one of our local hospitals. The arrangement remains in place for the a number of weeks or months until a housing arrangement in the community can be sought. This unfortunate scenario has further impact on the person and their family, adds pressures to the health system and can cause pressure on the provider to support rehousing in the community. [We need more] emergency housing and accommodation for people with a disability. In addition to Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) funding there needs to be added incentive to generate new housing stock and there needs to be further pilot testing of new initiatives.
How is working at DaSH Cowork in Charlestown?
It is far more than a space to perform business. It has benefits for us that are multi-dimensional. With more than 120 members to work alongside and connect with we feel like we are part of large company, just without the politics. There is a good vibe in the space which feeds into our work and interactions with our participants and stakeholders. The most ideal benefit for My Goal is the additional relationships created in this space.
Realistically neither disability service providers or family and friends alone are able to meet all the needs of a person with disability.
- Dean Kidd