Chair and CEO report
The last financial year has been a period of integration and consolidation as we continue to unite Scope, Disability Services Australia (DSA) and Home@Scope as one cohesive organisation. By bringing together our collective expertise and resources, we are expanding our impact and solidifying our position as one of Australia’s leading disability service providers.
Our focus over the last year has been to unite and integrate the three entities into one, streamlining the way we deliver services, to ensure we can operate efficiently and effectively. Most importantly, we want to continue offering a high-quality service and consistent experience for all our clients.
Part of our integration efforts involved the collective exploration of our shared values to best articulate who we are as an organisation. This process resulted in the development of a powerful new Purpose, Vision, and Values that unite us and guide our actions. They are the foundation upon which we build a positive culture, provide direction, and offer support to our clients and employees. It is with immense pride that we celebrate and embody these principles each day.
Building on this, we have also united the organisation under a single brand (Scope) to offer a clear and distinct choice as a preferred service provider.
We welcomed a number of new Directors and committee members to Scope’s Board, including Dr Jill Hennessy, Nick Taylor, Anne Howells, Cadeyrn Gaskin, Emily Unity and Emma Olivier. Our Executive Leadership team has seen some significant changes too, including the appointment of Lisa Evans, our new Victorian Chief Operations Officer.
In February, Kate MacRae represented Scope on a panel with other service providers at the Disability Royal Commission (DRC). This was a historic opportunity for Scope to contribute to the final report to the Commonwealth and help inform laws, policies, and structures to ensure a more inclusive and just society. It was also an invaluable opportunity for Scope as we embrace continuous improvement of our services – the information and insights of other panel members, along with the enquiry from the Commission, which provided significant learning and enhancement to our organisation.
We remain resolute to uphold the human rights of everyone we support. Scope’s commitment to human rights is built into our Constitution, and the Frameworks, policies and practices that govern us. As we evolve and grow, this commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability (2006) and advancing the wellbeing of people with disability, will remain the bedrock of the way Scope delivers services.
In February this year, Kate also attended the Public Advocate’s Award Ceremony at the Supreme Court Library with Denise West, Scope’s Communication and Inclusion Resource Centre General Manager. The Public Advocate Award is presented annually to an organisation that has provided an outstanding contribution to improving the lives and outcomes for people with disability. Scope has partnered with Funds in Court, the 2023 award recipient, to pilot a program to provide consultancy and communication facilitators for people with communication disabilities at Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) hearings. The program is in partnership with VCAT and the Transport Accident Commission (TAC).
We also embarked on the beginning of our journey towards reconciliation with the creation of our first Reconciliation Action Plan. As part of this ongoing commitment, Scope was vocal in its support for the First Nations’ Voice to Parliament and created a suite of accessible resources to help people with disabilities join the conversation and make an informed decision.
As sector leaders, we recognise our responsibility to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing. Through our strategic partnerships with Swinburne University, Monash University, and the University of Melbourne, we have solidified our position as pioneers in the fields of research and innovation.
As the face of the disability sector evolves, Scope is determined to continue to deliver high quality services to the people we support. We welcome the Federal Budget’s increased funding of $910 million over five years as a positive step forward. Additionally, initiatives like the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Review and the Disability Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disabilities provide significant opportunities to shed light on the realities facing people with disability and identify areas for improvement.
Scope welcomes these opportunities for reform in the sector and remains dedicated to prioritising the wellbeing, rights, and inclusion of people with disability in all aspects of society.
Looking forward, Scope is poised for a bright future – united in our dedication to support, inform and lead the sector. We are grateful for the dedication and resilience of our service delivery teams, whose efforts ensure the voices of our clients, and their families remain at the core of our services.
This fundamental belief in human rights defines our reason for being now and into the future.
As a leading organisation, we have a role to play in shaping the future of disability services and supports.
We firmly believe the future of the sector should not just informed by people with disability, but it is led by people with disability. As evidence of our commitment, we have embedded this into in our Board and Committee Charters – that people with disability comprise a significant proportion of governance roles at a Board and Committee level.
Only then can we achieve our vision of people with disability living their dreams.
Purpose, Vision and Values
Creating meaning opportunities for people with disability to belong and thrive
In 2022, we started on a journey of bringing together Scope, Home@Scope and Disability Services Australia, exploring the best of who we are, our shared values and defining our core purpose and vision for Scope.
In developing Scope’s new strategic direction and values, more than 1,200 people participated in surveys, workshops, and forums. This included supported employees together with the Board, clients, and families.
Our reimagined Purpose, Vision and Values draw from our history and are the foundations of what we want for people with disability and our employees in the future. They unite us as we work towards a common goal, build a positive culture, and provide direction and support for everyone to thrive. Our clients will thrive as a result.
Purpose
We create meaningful opportunities for people with disabilities to belong and thrive.
Vision
Our clients and employees are empowered to live their dreams.
We influence and push boundaries delivering positive change for people with a disability.
Our Values
We celebrate people
We celebrate Scope’s diversity when we see every person and the contributions they make.
We act bravely
We act and speak up for what is right.
We excel together
We excel together in all that matters to our clients and colleagues.
Amplify
Amplify is Scope’s multi-year strategic program of work to transform the organisation and strengthen our position as one of Australia’s leading disability providers.
It was established in response to the integration of our three entities, the dynamic nature of the NDIS and the broader disability landscape. Like all contemporary disability service providers, Scope needs to have the systems and processes in place that will allow us to quickly respond to changing client support needs and have staff with the skills to deliver those supports.
Collectively, the Amplify initiatives will harmonise and strengthen the work we do and how we do it. It will enhance our high quality supports further, while ensuring consistency and sustainability. By growing and supporting our workforce, Amplify will continue to strengthen Scope as an employer of choice.
This significant works program touches every corner of the organisation. In doing so, our aim is to amplify the positive impact we have on our clients, workforce, and the broader community.
Nine key priorities are aligned to Amplify. Among others, they include:
One Stack
Implementing a new client management system that will enable our frontline staff to support our clients even better.
One Team
Developing a workforce strategy that will set us apart from others in the sector.
One Brand
Implementing a Masterbrand strategy to offer a distinct choice for clients.
Enhancing our compliance framework
SIL Strengthening
Streamlining our Supported Independent Living (SIL) service offering to offer a consistent client experience across the organisation.
Service Highlights
5119
Total number of clients supported by Scope
2212
Adults and children who have received therapy and psychology services
1408
Clients residing in Supported Independent Living
838
Clients attending day programs
343
Supported Independent Living homes
451
Clients accessing Scope employment services
About Scope
Scope was founded 75 years ago, by families who wanted better support for their children with cerebral palsy. Today, we’re Scope, having welcomed Home@Scope and Disability Services Australia to our operations. Scope 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 over 420 service locations.
Our purpose is to create meaningful opportunities for people with disability to belong and thrive. We’re driven by our values, which are integrated into the fabric of everything we do. Simply and clearly articulated, they are: we celebrate people, we act bravely, and we excel together.
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.
Our services include Supported Independent Living, Therapy, Early Childhood Intervention, Disability Employment Services, Packaging Solutions, Short Term Accommodation, and Day and Lifestyle Programs.
Services are provided and maintained at a high quality through ongoing evaluation and continuous improvement. We are guided by and comply with NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework as well as other regulatory requirements relevant to the sector and our service profile.
Along with delivering high-quality services for people with a disability, Scope has been active in research for more than 30 years, guiding innovative practice in delivering positive and evidence-based outcomes for clients. 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 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 good corporate practice across all Scope entities.
We’ve enshrined the voice of our clients within our governance through the Scope Client Experience and Outcomes Board Committee, and the Client Participation Framework. We have also established a new Client Advisory Panel, providing Scope with a sustainable and reliable mechanism for co-design and shared decision-making with its clients on policy and strategic decisions.
Overview of services
We have a wide range of services across Scope:
Supported Independent Living (SIL)
We support clients in specialist disability accommodation to live independently, assisting them with daily living and personal care. We focus on delivering meaningful choice and control, supporting clients 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, clients 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 childhood early intervention services to support children with development 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, 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 client’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, 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 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 clients 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 clients 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, working with clients and employers to keep people employed. We work closely with employers to set up a lasting working environment so that it is a successful outcome for both the jobseeker and employer.
For clients who are ready to join the workforce, our Registered Training Organisation, Macquarie Employment Training Services (METS), offers the LearnAbility program. Run over four-to-six weeks, we help 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 clients 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 clients located locally, in wider Australia and around the world.
METS
Macquarie Employment Training Services (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, 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 clients achieve individual goals. NDIS Support Categories covered include Assistance with Daily Life, Improved Living Arrangements, Increased Social & Community Participation, Improved Relationships, and Improved Daily Living.
School Leaver Employment Support Services
Our School Leaver Employment Support (SLES) service helps prepare clients to join the workforce in New South Wales. We offer individualised support whilst transitioning from high school into the workforce by focusing on clients goals, supporting them to develop important skills like confidence and communication.
We offer practical activities, work experience and volunteering opportunities, as well as individual support options and support further training and education. We help prepare resumes, practice interviewing, and assist with time and financial management. The program runs from three months to two years, depending on individual needs.
Map of services
Financial highlights 2022–23
Profit and loss
Scope is committed to delivering our purpose through high-quality services now and into the future.
The Financial Report outlines Scope’s ongoing focus on delivering high-quality services sustainably within the NDIS environment. Scope aims to continually improve our efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of our purpose. We do this by maximising our resources in an ethical and sustainable manner.
| Statement of Surplus or Deficit for the year ended 30th June 2023 | $ '000s |
|---|---|
|
Income |
|
|
State Government |
113,080 |
|
Federal Government |
440,924 |
|
Rendering of Services |
13,867 |
|
Donations and Fundraising |
2,346 |
|
Other |
17,981 |
|
Total Income |
588,198 |
|
Expenses |
|
|
Staff and Related |
468,514 |
|
Depreciation |
11,528 |
|
Other |
65,025 |
|
Total Expenses |
545,067 |
|
Surplus for the Year |
43,131 |
Balance sheet
| Statement of Financial Position as at 30th June 2023 | $ '000s |
|---|---|
|
Cash and Deposits |
82,714 |
|
Other Financial Assets (Investments) |
67,451 |
|
Receivables and Other |
56,208 |
|
Total Current Assets |
206,373 |
|
Non Current Assets |
|
|
Property, Plant, and Equipment |
32,388 |
|
Other Financial Assets (Investments) |
233,491 |
|
Receivables and Other |
2,349 |
|
Other Assets |
1,293 |
|
Right-of-use Assets |
31,548 |
|
Total Non Current Assets |
301,069 |
|
Total Assets |
507,442 |
|
Current Liabilities |
|
|
Trade and Other Payables |
35,247 |
|
Employee Benefits |
72,891 |
|
Contract Liabilites |
9,080 |
|
Lease Liabilities |
6,377 |
|
Total Current Liabilities |
123,595 |
|
Non Current Liabilities |
|
|
Contract Liabilities |
6,511 |
|
Other Non Current Liabilities |
35,608 |
|
Lease Liabilities |
27,063 |
|
Total Non Current Liabilities |
69,182 |
|
Total Liabilities |
192,777 |
|
Net Assets |
314,665 |
|
Equity |
|
|
Retained Earnings |
314,663 |
|
Reserves |
2 |
|
Total Equity |
314,665 |
Revenue by source
 Federal Government |
75% |
|---|---|
|
|
19% |
|
|
3% |
|
|
2% |
|
|
1% |
State Government
Finance, rental and other income
Rendering of services
Donations, bequests & fundraisingExpenditure by type
|
Employee expenses |
86% |
|---|---|
|
|
7% |
|
|
3% |
|
|
2% |
|
|
1% |
|
|
1% |
OtherRevenue by category
|
Support Independent Living |
83% |
|---|---|
|
|
5% |
|
|
4% |
|
|
3% |
|
|
2% |
|
|
2% |
|
|
1% |
Other
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
The Hon Jill Hennessy, LLM, LLB, BA, GAICD
The Hon Jill Hennessy, LLM, LLB, BA, GAICD
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
Andrew Richardson, BSc, LLB, MBA, FAIM, FAICD
Andrew Richardson, BSc, LLB, MBA, FAIM, FAICD
Serge Sardo, GradDipPsych, MBA, MAICD
Serge Sardo, GradDipPsych, MBA, MAICD
Dr Nadine White, BLawsAdmin, LLB (Hons), PhD, GAICD
Dr Nadine White, BLawsAdmin, LLB (Hons), PhD, GAICD
Executive Leadership Team
Kate MacRae
Kate MacRae
Lee Carpenter
Lee Carpenter
Lisa Evans
Lisa Evans
Liz Cairns
Liz Cairns
Clare Jennings
Clare Jennings
Bruce McCowan
Bruce McCowan
Ian Morgan
Ian Morgan
Sid Shekar
Sid Shekar
