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Leading by example
Following a suggestion from CRS Australia’s Blacktown office in 2009 about providing training to job seekers with a disability, Metro Residences, part of Ageing, 
Disability and Home Care (ADHC), Department Human Services NSW, established a ‘domestic pool’ of staff to meet their casual employment needs.
‘It was the first time Metro Residences (ADHC) had developed a domestic casual list so it seemed the ideal time to provide opportunities to people who weren’t looking to work 40 hours a week,’ said Sandra Burgess, Domestic Services Manager for ADHC.
CRS Australia’s potential job seekers fit the bill with both their skills and their working hour requirements.
The domestic pool concept allowed ADHC to train staff as Service Support Officers to work on a casual basis. CRS Australia provided a screened group of candidates to participate – with great success.
‘I would have to say that I wouldn’t value it as anything less than excellent,’ said Sandra. ‘The fact that we’ve had 14 out of 15 job seekers still with us speaks for itself.’
ADHC has gained valuable employees, improved worker retention rates and helped people with disability enhance their lives through training and employment.
'Our key motivation for employing people with a disability is to practice what we preach.'Sandra Burgess, Domestic Services Manager - Ageing, Disability and Home Care
With more than 12,000 staff helping more than 1 million older people, people with a disability and their carers in NSW, ADHC provides critical services and recognises the obligation they have to look after the rights of both the people they care for and their potential employees with a disability.
‘The initiative has not only benefited the trainees themselves but also the clients of the service as they were able to witness first hand examples of people who have overcome disability to find employment,’ said Farah, CRS Australia Employment Services Consultant in Blacktown.
‘It’s good for the organisation, good for the people coming in and good for the people who were already working here,’ Sandra said.
The program has had a very positive effect on the participants who feel proud and confident, and are enjoying the benefits of regular, paid employment.
‘Our key motivation for employing people with a disability is to practice what we preach,’ said Sandra. ‘They have the right to informed choices, the right to access services and the right to be part of the community.’
ADHC were awarded a 2010 Diversity@Work award for their commitment to providing employment opportunities for people with a disability.