Chair and CEO report
The 2021–2022 financial year was one of significant growth and change for the Scope Group. We expanded our national footprint with the acquisition of Disability Services Australia (DSA) in New South Wales along with the supported independent living staff and customers transitioning from Uniting Vic.Tas. In welcoming a host of new customers, staff, and houses to Scope, we are growing our capacity to positively impact on the lives of people living with disability.
Our successful growth and ability to thrive under the NDIS is undoubtedly due to the leadership and vision of Dr Jennifer Fitzgerald AM. The Scope Group is now firmly established as a leading national provider of disability services and a recognised innovator through the research investment that Jenny championed. While Jenny’s tenure as CEO ended at the beginning of 2022, she leaves the legacy of a thriving and financially sound organisation ready to make an even bigger impact in the lives of people living with disability.
We thank Jenny for her devotion to Scope and her commitment to our growth and leadership in the disability sector. To commemorate her achievements, and to specifically recognise her commitment to research-based innovation and the empowerment of people with disability, Scope will launch a research scholarship to enable a person with disability to undertake post-graduate studies.
Following an extensive search, Scope’s Board was delighted to appoint Kate MacRae to the position of CEO in April 2022.
Kate brings a vast experience as an Executive and Director in the disability and health sectors. She has led large, complex, and geographically dispersed organisations. Prior to joining Scope, Kate was the CEO of Able Australia and established the Deafblind Centre of Excellence in 2019. The centre is now a recognised leader in the field, actively collaborating with the World Health Organization, United Nations, and Deafblind International to improve outcomes for people who are deafblind.
Kate is also founder and inaugural Chair of The CEO Collaboration, a membership body of 110+ NDIS providers. We are delighted that collaboration will be a feature of her leadership as a truly effective disability sector requires us all to work together for the beneficiaries of our services.
The 2022–2023 year will be one of consolidation as we seek to integrate and harmonise across the Scope Group. We want to ensure our staff are well supported and equipped to deliver a consistent, high-quality customer experience across the organisation.
Providing an outstanding customer experience remains a priority, and we are deeply grateful to our service delivery teams for the work they do every day. The last two years brought immense challenges for frontline staff and customers, and we appreciate the resilience and commitment shown by our people through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and during the New South Wales flood crisis.
Under these difficult circumstances, the needs and goals of our customers were always at the forefront and staff found new and innovative ways to support them. These challenges did not stop the work. Home@Scope successfully transitioned to the NDIS, offering more agency, choice, and control to our customers. We also committed to upgrading our Supported Independent Living (SIL) and Day and Lifestyle Options spaces to be more comfortable, modern, and welcoming spaces for our customers.
This year, we recorded a surplus of $43.5 million, helping to create the investment we need to be sustainable into the future and to be a more impactful organisation. While the NDIS is an important funder of disability services, there is so much more investment needed and the Board are committed to ensuring that our legacy investment is used to finance important initiatives that will enhance the lives of people with disability. Scope is known for its investment in research and innovation. Our partnership with Swinburne University helped us maintain our status as pioneers in the disability innovation space.
Together, we launched the Safety at Work program, allowing our disability support workers to undertake customised virtual reality training on how to navigate sector-specific behavioural challenges. Our partnership with the University of Melbourne is helping to inform policy and practice along with the biennial Virtual Disability Conference. Together with our customers, we platformed the needs and goals of people with disabilities, making nine submissions to government consultations and enquiries. By leveraging our position as sector leaders, we will continue to maximise social impact and amplify the voices of people with disability.
Looking to the future, Scope Group will continue to come together to better support, inform, and lead the sector. We enthusiastically welcome the opportunity to grow as a national service provider and keep the voices of our customers, their families, and our teams at the heart of our services.
Service Highlights
5622
people were supported by Scope Group
1502
people were supported to live more independently (SIL)
2995
Scope
1078
Home@Scope
1549
DSA
348
Scope
969
Home@Scope
185
DSA
More than
2160
children and adults received therapy and psychology services
912
adults participated in meaningful recreation and skill building through our day programs
Customer Satisfaction
93%
Scope
94%
Home@Scope
Strategic priorities in action
About Scope
Scope was founded over 70 years ago, by families who wanted better support for their children with cerebral palsy. Today, we’re Scope Group, having welcomed Home@Scope and Disability Services Australia to our operations. Scope Group is one of the largest not-for-profit disability service providers in Australia, supporting thousands of people with complex intellectual, physical, and multiple disabilities. We operate across Victoria and New South Wales through more than 425 service locations.
Our mission is to enable each person we support to live as an equal and empowered citizen. We’re driven by our values, encapsulated in the Scope Approach. These values are integrated into the fabric of everything we do. Simply and clearly articulated, they are: See The Person, Do It Together, Do It Right, and Do It Better.
We offer a wide range of supports and services, to enable people of all ages to achieve their goals. We are a registered NDIS provider and have supported people to successfully move to the new scheme since its inception in 2013.
Some of our key services include Supported Independent Living, Therapy, Early Childhood Intervention, Disability Employment Services, Packaging Solutions, Short Term Accommodation, and Day and Lifestyle Programs.
Scope Group services are provided and maintained at a high level through ongoing evaluation and continuous improvement. We adhere to government standards and have achieved accreditation under the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework.
We work within this framework when planning, delivering, and evaluating our services for people with a disability.
Customer feedback helps us to maintain these standards. In the last financial year, Scope’s customer satisfaction scores remained high, with a combined score of 93 per cent across all services.
Along with delivering high-quality services for people with a disability, Scope’s been active in research for more than 30 years and this helps us deliver positive outcomes. We’ve also led the way in working with organisations to remove barriers to social inclusion through our pioneering work in Communication Access.
In line with our essential role in the community and as a Not-for-Profit, Scope Group is compliant with the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission Act 2012 (Cth), the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission Regulation 2013 (Cth), and other relevant legislation. We are a member-based organisation and our governance is framed within our Constitution, in line with current good corporate practice across all Scope Group entities.
We’ve enshrined the voice of our customers within our governance through the establishment of the Scope Customer Experience and Outcomes Board Committee, Customer Reference Groups, and a Customer Insights Committee. This ensures independent and direct advice to Scope Group.
The Scope Approach
See the person
We listen to understand.
We see the potential.
We recognise how you do things and what you achieve.
We take personal responsibility.
We build excellent relationships with our clients and customers.
We understand the balance between risks and rights.
Do it together
We lead in line with The Scope Approach.
We work together to achieve shared goals.
We build sustainable and ethical partnerships.
We support each other.
We communicate early and honestly.
We share responsibility for safety.
Do it right
We use systems and processes in our work.
We deliver quality outcomes safely and on time.
We understand risks and opportunities.
We are a financially sustainable organisation.
We own the consequences of our actions.
We take pride in the delivery of our mission.
Do it better
We develop creative solutions.
We review and continually improve.
We understand what is working and what is not.
We seek and respond to feedback.
We build capacity in all that we do.
We are a leader in safety.
Timeline of Scope’s growth
The Spastic Children’s Society of Victoria is established
In 1948, the idea to form a society was discussed by a group of parents desperate at the lack of support for their children with cerebral palsy. These families banded together to create an organisation that provided support for their children, known as the Spastic Children’s Society of Victoria.
Marathon is established
A year after forming, the Marathon school was established, which focused on education and helped students build independence in a community environment.
By 1950, 56 children attending Marathon five days a week
One student, Evelyn Brush, began receiving services from the Society when she was in primary school at Marathon: “We used to have lunch and play outside on the monkey bars; the teachers also used to pass us all out the window because it was fun and quicker than going the long way outside. One teacher would stay inside and one would go outside and they would pass all the children out the window to play outside; I liked that.” – Evelyn Brush
500 adults and children accessing our services
“We had sports periods every Friday. A group of us used to play football – and it wasn’t a matter of just playing out the back! We travelled by bus to the local oval. We’d play this serious game of footy with minor changes to the rules… If kids in normal schools still play footy, so would we!” – Anthony Nichols (Marathon student and former Scope employee)
More than 1000 children with a disability are being supported; cyclone newsletter is first circulated
Cyclone was first published in the mid-seventies; it was a newsletter for people with a disability and their parents, with the topics that mattered to people with disabilities, like employment, health and fitness, and accommodation.
Marathon closes its doors
Joanne Van Den Eynden, a former student of Marathon, wrote of her indebtedness to staff there and her fond memories of Marathon: “I have never since felt the atmosphere that was there. There was a total team spirit! People were helping and working together for the same goal.”
The Spastic Society of Victoria
In 1980, the organisation became the Spastic Society of Victoria and launched the following philosophy: ‘Each person has an inherent right to participate in life’s opportunities. Disabled people have special needs which, when left unmet, limit the individual's opportunities to develop his or her maximum potential.
International Year of Disabled Persons
The year had a profound effect on raising awareness of disability in Australia, placing it firmly on the human services agenda. New philosophies such as normalisation and de-institutionalisation were spreading in influence. Accommodation was one of the biggest areas for growth during the eighties with a significant move away from being facility-based to becoming a home.
The Disability Discrimination Act
In 1992, the Disability Discrimination Act was introduced to eliminate discrimination against people on the grounds of disability in areas like employment, accommodation, and leisure. Local high schools started to participate in “experience programs” that saw groups of students from mainstream schools assist with lunch and other programs. One year, the visiting high school students put on a play – Emmy, a coordinator of the program, says, “One of our students held her head up for two hours during the play, which she normally had to be supported to do. Our student had something to look at. She had a purpose.”
Horizon newsletter is first circulated
The name Horizon came from a competition ran in December 1993, when the first issue, "What's in a Name?", was published. The committee were drawn to the name as they felt it reflected the newsletter’s aims of communication.
New millennium, new name: Scope
On 18 September 2001, the organisation started the new millennium by changing its name from the Spastic Society of Victoria and becoming "Scope" – a word that reflects a wide-ranging view, unlimited potential, opportunity, and choice. During this time, we also adopted our organisational-wide mantra of “see the person”.
Scope opens GoKids and the Communication Resource Centre
The Resource Centre opened in 2002 and is a service unique to Scope – it provides information, advice, and resources that focus on communication, access, and inclusion. GoKids is a physiotherapy service that gives expert advice and support for children with profound and complex mobility needs by assessing them for appropriate mobility devices. Scope is the only physiotherapy provider in Victoria that is qualified to service, make, and modify Hart Walkers.
Scope launches Kaleidoscope art program
“Scope has supported me from the very beginning. They saw my talent and helped me nurture it throughout the years. The very first time one of my paintings was exhibited was at Kaleidoscope. I felt really proud.” – Greg Muir, Kaleidoscope Artist
Introduction of the NDIS; Scope participates in the NDIS trial in Barwon in 2013
In 2011, Every Australian Counts (EAC) launched and fought for the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme – EAC was made up of hundreds of thousands of people who came together to fight for a fair go for people with disability in Australia. Scope customers, their families, and staff played a part in the campaign and focused on the need to ensure the NDIS was featured in forward estimates of the 2016 federal budget.
Scope begins transition to the NDIS
Scope transitioned to the NDIS in line with the rollout across Victoria. It was rolled out by groups of local area governments over a three-year period from 2016–2019.
Scope expands its services; introduction of Home@Scope
In August 2018, Scope was honoured to have been selected by the Victorian Government to deliver Supported Independent Living services to residents living in specialist disability accommodation houses and participants accessing 12 short-term accommodation and assistance services across Victoria.
Scope keeps customers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic
A global outbreak of COVID-19 brings uncertainty and many challenges for staff and customers. Scope teams work together to keep customers safe and protected, purchasing thousands of units of PPE.
Scope welcomes 78 new residents and 227 staff transferring from Uniting Vic.Tas. to Scope Supported Independent Living
In November 2021, a review of disability accommodation services by Uniting Vic.Tas. showed larger disability providers like Scope were better placed to deliver SIL services in this region. With a shared vision to achieve the best possible outcomes for residents, their families, and the staff who support them, Uniting Vic.Tas. and Scope worked closely in support of a seamless transition to Scope.
Acquisition of Disability Services Australia
Following a period of voluntary administration, Scope was selected as the preferred new owner of Disability Services Australia, supporting more than 1,500 customers and employing more than 1,600 people in key regions of New South Wales, including metropolitan Sydney. The coming together of Scope and Disability Services Australia strengthens Scope’s position as one of the largest national providers of disability services.
Financial highlights 2021–22
Profit and loss
Scope is committed to delivering our mission through high-quality services now and into the future.
Scope’s ongoing focus is to develop our services to remain sustainable in an NDIS environment. Scope aims to continually improve our efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of our mission. We do this by maximising our resources in an ethical and sustainable manner. Scope’s surplus will ensure long term financial sustainability of the organisation, particularly as the Victorian Government subsidy period concludes.
| Statement of Surplus or Deficit for the year ended 30 June 2022 | $ '000s |
|---|---|
|
Income |
|
|
State Government |
117,194 |
|
Federal Government |
381,015 |
|
Rendering of Services |
9,240 |
|
Donations and Fundraising |
3,480 |
|
Other |
(11,425) |
|
Total Income |
499,504 |
|
Expenses |
|
|
Staff and Related |
393,606 |
|
Depreciation |
9,006 |
|
Other |
53,387 |
|
Total Expenses |
455,999 |
|
Surplus for the Year |
43,505 |
Balance sheet
| Statement of Financial Position as at 30 June 2022 | $ '000s |
|---|---|
|
Cash and Deposits |
49,334 |
|
Other Financial Assets (Investments) |
97,097 |
|
Receivables and Other |
83,491 |
|
Total Current Assets |
229,922 |
|
Non Current Assets |
|
|
Property, Plant, and Equipment |
32,125 |
|
Other Financial Assets (Investments) |
167,698 |
|
Receivables and Other |
1,493 |
|
Other Assets |
1,622 |
|
Right-of-use Assets |
36,673 |
|
Total Non Current Assets |
239,611 |
|
Total Assets |
469,533 |
|
Current Liabilities |
|
|
Trade and Other Payables |
36,101 |
|
Employee Benefits |
69,597 |
|
Contract Liabilites |
12,248 |
|
Lease Liabilities |
7,356 |
|
Total Current Liabilities |
125,302 |
|
Non Current Liabilities |
|
|
Contract Liabilities |
10,852 |
|
Other Non Current Liabilities |
31,262 |
|
Lease Liabilities |
30,583 |
|
Total Non Current Liabilities |
72,697 |
|
Total Liabilities |
197,999 |
|
Net Assets |
271,534 |
|
Equity |
|
|
Retained Earnings |
271,532 |
|
Reserves |
2 |
|
Total Equity |
271,534 |
Revenue by source
 Federal Government |
75% |
|---|---|
|
|
22% |
|
|
2% |
|
|
1% |
State Government
Rendering of services
Donations, bequests & fundraisingExpenditure by type
|
Employee expenses |
86% |
|---|---|
|
|
3% |
|
|
2% |
|
|
1% |
|
|
1% |
|
|
7% |
Maintenance & vehicles
OtherRevenue by category
|
Support Independent Living |
85% |
|---|---|
|
|
4% |
|
|
3% |
|
|
2% |
|
|
2% |
|
|
1% |
|
|
3% |
OtherOverview of services
We have a wide range of services across the Scope Group:
Supported Independent Living (SIL)
We support customers in specialist disability accommodation to live independently, assisting them with daily living and personal care. We focus on delivering meaningful choice and control, supporting customers to participate in the decisions and daily running of their homes. Our SIL teams are trained to support people with a variety of complex needs and assist them to find opportunities for new social activities and interests in the community. Operating across Victoria and New South Wales, we offer group homes with 24/7 support, purpose-built, traditional family homes, and high physical needs residences. Our services in New South Wales also offer villa complexes and independent villas.
Short Term Accommodation and Assistance (STAA)
Through a short stay at one of our STAA homes, customers can learn independent living skills and engage with their local community. This also gives family and carers a chance to take a break from their daily routine. Scope offers STAA services for both adults and children across Victoria and New South Wales. Our STAA stays include assistance with social and community participation as well as at-home activities (self-care and life skills training for independent living).
Therapy and Allied Health Services
Our specialist therapy services include Physiotherapy, Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, and Psychology. We have extensive experience in early childhood early intervention services to support children with developmental delay. Our new integrated therapy approach is family and community-centred, with greater access to a broader range of supports. Services include: Psychology, Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Positive Behaviour Support Therapy, Regulated Restrictive Practices, Psychometric Assessments, OT Assessments, Registered Nurse, Telehealth, and Training and Consultancy.
Positive Behaviour Support
We’re a leader in the field of positive behaviour support. Our multidisciplinary service supports people with behaviours of concern or challenging behaviours to live a better quality of life. We deliver holistic solutions with the aim of reducing the use of restrictive interventions.
Day and Lifestyle Options and Social Connections
Our Day and Lifestyle Options in Victoria and Social Connections program in New South Wales are fun and dynamic spaces for people to build new skills and make new friends. Our programs are tailored to each customer’s goals and interests. This could include building friendships, learning new skills, or pursuing a favourite recreational activity. Participating in the local community can include volunteering at local businesses, engaging in activities such as surfing, bowling, rock-climbing or bingo, or dining out at cafes in a group environment. We offer group-based and individualised programs in centres and in the wider community.
Specialised Communication Services
Scope offers specialised Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) services to help people with complex communication needs get personalised, high-quality communication aids.
Access and Inclusion Services for Organisations
We enable organisations to improve access and inclusion of people with a disability. Our flagship offering is Communication Access Accreditation, awarded to businesses that meet communication access standards. Over 180 businesses and services in Victoria have been awarded the symbol, and this work continues to gain national and international attention and interest. Other solutions include staff training and accessible information translation.
Support Coordination
We support people to understand their NDIS plan, then work with them to identify and purchase the supports and services needed to reach their goals.
Individualised Living Options (ILO) – Exploration and Design
Our specialised team assists people to explore different possibilities when it comes to finding the right place to live. We apply an individualised and tailored approach to design a personalised support arrangement for participants ranging from applying for a rental property to living in a shared home with others.
Disability Employment Services
Our dedicated Disability Employment Service (DES) in New South Wales offers participants regular ongoing support through the job-search process and assistance with staying in work. DES is funded by the Australian Government for eligible jobseekers. We assist participants with eligibility checks finding jobs that suit their needs and career goals, and we work with participants and employers to keep people employed. We work closely with employers to set up a lasting working environment so that it’s a successful outcome for both the jobseeker and employer.
For participants that are ready to join the workforce, our Registered Training Organisation, Macquarie Employment Training Service (METS), offers the LearnAbility program. Run over four to six weeks, the program helps job seekers of all ages upskill and ready themselves, before introducing them to one of our partner businesses.
Packaging Solutions
This is one of the services offered by our Australian Disability Enterprise (ADE) supported employment teams, located in New South Wales. We offer supported employment opportunities where participants can work in a friendly supported environment, earn a wage, learn new skills, and make friends. We pack and label products for a range of different business customers located locally, in wider Australia, and around the world.
METS
Macquarie Employment Training Service (METS) is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and approved Smart and Skilled provider in New South Wales. Through METS, participants can achieve nationally recognised qualifications or choose from a range of short courses. Areas of learning include: Early Childhood Education and Care, Community Services, Retail and Hospitality, Business and Leadership, Individual Support and Disability, First Aid and CPR, and Supply Chain Operations.
Our METS team was recently recognised at the NSW Training Awards as a High-Performing Provider.
Assistance with Daily Living
We offer daily support at home and in the community and help participants achieve individual goals. NDIS Support Categories covered include Assistance with Daily Life, Improved Living Arrangements, Increased Social and Community Participation, Improved Relationships, and Improved Daily Living.
School Leaver Employment Support Services
Our School Leaver Employment Support (SLES) service helps prepare participants to join the workforce in New South Wales. We offer individualised support whilst transitioning from high school into the workforce by focusing on participant goals, supporting customers to develop important skills like confidence and communication.
We offer practical activities, work experience, and volunteering opportunities, as well as individual support options to support further training and education. We help prepare resumes, practise interviewing, and assist with time and financial management. The program runs from three months to two years, depending on individual needs.
Map of services
Scope Board of Directors
Professor Sanchia Aranda AM, PhD, MN, GAICD
Professor Sanchia Aranda AM, PhD, MN, GAICD
Gary Brinkworth, BEc, GAICD
Gary Brinkworth, BEc, GAICD
Dr Sarah Anderson, PhD, BPO, MPH
Dr Sarah Anderson, PhD, BPO, MPH
Brendan Earle, BA, LLB
Brendan Earle, BA, LLB
Barbara Hingston AM, BA (Admin), BSW, GAICD
Barbara Hingston AM, BA (Admin), BSW, GAICD
Marcell Judkins, BBus, FCPA, MBA, FAICD
Marcell Judkins, BBus, FCPA, MBA, FAICD
Serge Sardo, GradDipPsych, MBA, MAICD
Serge Sardo, GradDipPsych, MBA, MAICD
Executive Leadership Team
Kate MacRae
Kate MacRae
Heather Finlayson
Heather Finlayson
Andrew Hanson
Andrew Hanson
Lee Carpenter
Lee Carpenter
Peter Hartnett
Peter Hartnett
Clare Jennings
Clare Jennings
Sid Shekar
Sid Shekar
Ian Morgan
Ian Morgan
Phil Turton
Phil Turton
Support Scope
There are many ways you can support us so we can continue to enable each person we support to live as an empowered and equal citizen.
Donate
We need your help to continue to provide exceptional service and support to people with a disability. Each donation we receive is important. Any gift, large or small, will impact the lives of the people we support. Your generous gift will ensure we can continue to provide valuable programs and services and work toward creating a more inclusive and accessible society.
You can set up monthly contributions to Scope, allowing you to support Scope’s services now and in the future. You can also make a once-off donation.
Donate securely online or contact our fundraising team on 1800 815 768.
A donation of $2 or more is tax deductible.
Leave a bequest
Leaving a gift to Scope in your Will, no matter how large or small, contributes significantly to our ongoing work. A gift in your Will is a generous, tangible, lasting gift and a very special way of securing the future work of Scope. Speak with your solicitor or Scope’s fundraising team on 1800 815 768 to arrange this, or to obtain further information.
Become a Scope Member
Scope’s members are an essential part of the organisation. Scope’s members allow the organisation to have a powerful voice in the disability sector. With the support of members, Scope has actively driven change in the community and has been an influential advocate for the rights of people with a disability. Please contact Scope Membership on 03 9843 2074 or membership@scopeaust.org.au.
