Staff Matters February 15, 2019 Issue 192 Week 33
CARING ABOUT OUR STAFF
AFFORD MOST OUTSTANDING IN AUSTRALASIA
In This Issue
On 6 February, Afford was awarded the Most Outstanding Disability Care Provider in Australasia in 2018 by the NDIS Update’s Enablement Awards!
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District Manager for Victoria, Katie Nuth, accepted the award on behalf of Afford and addressed attendees; discussing Afford’s commitment to providing whole-of-life supports for people living with disability and our adaptation to the NDIS being our path to success.
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Afford Most Outstanding in Australasia Joke of The Week DES Reaching And Exceeding Targets Afford Lifestyle Channel Launched
The ceremony, held at Hawthorn Arts Centre in Victoria, included robust discussion and formal proceedings were followed by a delicious afternoon tea. This award provides Afford with great recognition within the industry. The Enablement Awards are reserved for organisations that present exemplary performance, innovation and positive initiative in the sector. The Awards are judged by the NDIS Update, offering over 30 years of involvement in the disability sector in Australia and abroad.
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Plan Like A Boss Conference Hits The Mark
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Melbourne Team Takes On VALID Expo Upcoming Events Selfies of The Week
The Enablement Awards were attended by a range of other organisations such as Ability Connect, Lifemark, KISA and Simba Support Services. At the ceremony, NDIS Update’s representative outlined the potential of the NDIS for Australia. He discussed how the NDIS recognises that we owe a duty of care to every citizen in Australia to give them a full quality of life. We are encouraged to take on the roles of ‘warriors’, to help shape our industry through the NDIS moving forward. In addition to being awarded the prestigious title of Most Outstanding Disability Care Provider in Australasia in 2018, the ceremony also presented valuable networking opportunities and the chance to learn more about communicating Afford services and supports to the wider public. We know that we do our best for our clients each and every day. It’s so wonderful to receive such high praise and recognition from our industry as well.
REMINDER
Don’t forget to send your clients’ achievements, good news stories and photos to Marketing@afford.com.au
www.afford.com.au
Staff Matters
STAFF PROFILE NAME: Dunya Lazar POSITION: Business Development Officer LOCATION: Central East FAVOURITE SONG? Sway – Dean Martin FAVOURITE MOVIE? Braveheart FAVOURITE HOBBIES? Travelling FAVOURITE FOODS? Lilly Devi’s butter chicken and rice IF YOU COULD BE AN ANIMAL WHAT WOULD YOU BE? A horse WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION? Greece IF YOU HAD THE POWER WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD? Freedom
February 15, 2019 Issue 192
DES REACHING AND EXCEEDING TARGETS Our DES services have been smashing targets recently with great results. For December 2018 and January 2019, DES services has recorded over $50,000 in revenue target income, which is an outstanding result for the business. Our DES team has been working hard to connect more job seekers with short and long term employment, providing support for skills development or further study, and working closely with employers and jobseekers to ensure placements are meeting the expectations of both parties. Our DES consultants play a crucial role in finding employment that suits the abilities and strengths of each clients. Around half of DES income derives from service fees which involves providing case management and post placement services. The other half derives from outcome fees which are funds secured due to successful placement of job-seekers for one, three, six and 12 month intervals. Across the four sites, DES services place on average 30 job seekers into employment per month. If you have an Afford client who is looking for employment opportunities, please contact one of our DES sites in Fairfield, Blacktown, Liverpool or Bankstown. Keep up the great work DES!
IF YOU HAD TO TEACH SOMETHING WHAT WOULD YOU TEACH? History
AFFORD LIFESTYLE CHANNEL LAUNCHED!
SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT ME? Once I know what I want nobody can change my mind
Afford has now launched its very own Afford Lifestyle Channel on Youtube. This channel is a place for stories from our group homes and their residents to be shared. Throughout this year, we will be visually showcasing the very best of The Afford Lifestyle. Our channel will include videos of our client’s adventures and the friendships they have formed while living in an Afford group home. Home isn’t a place - it’s a feeling. So we’re using our new Afford Lifestyle channel to give people an emotional insight into an Afford home and the ways in which our supports help individuals realise their dreams of living independently on their terms. Access our new Afford Lifestyle Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/ channel/UCitzfTUK0_As3Y1gOG878fQ
www.afford.com.au
February 15, 2019 Issue 192
Staff Matters PLAN LIKE A BOSS CONFERENCE HITS THE MARK
Last week, managers met on Queensland’s stunning Gold Coast for the ‘Plan Like a Boss’ Conference from 7 to 8 February held at Mantra Legends Hotel in Surfer’s Paradise. Managers from across Afford’s Queensland, New South Wales and Victorian businesses came together to learn strategies to develop into even stronger leaders. As an Employer of Choice, Afford staged the conference as an opportunity for great learning, as well as providing ample opportunities for fun and team bonding. For those invigorated to start the day, morning Zumba and Yoga activities were available. Evening get togethers were just as fun, with dinner at Seascape on Thursday night, followed by retro themed networking and drinks at Retro’s Cocktail Lounge. With sing-a-longs galore, the dance floor was the place to be for retro style fun and laughs. The conference itself was filled with amazing presentations from Steve Herald, Maureen Brown, Michelle Flynn, Afford’s new CFO, Nicholle Marks, Allan Sio and Katie Nuth. Conference presentations covered topics such as operational progress, HR, marketing, finance and a rundown of our exceptional growth interstate. Steve spoke about the positive growth of Afford and our leadership in the industry. He also touched on the importance of good culture and our teams and tribes focus, as well as leadership opportunities for staff through our Step-Up Program. Steve also emphasised that we should all value our brand. He encourages every site to ‘own’ our roles and our businesses and to use Afford resources such as our marketing and HR teams to grow and strengthen our businesses this year. A fun and challenging addition to the program was the ‘Afford’s Future Boss!’ activity. Throughout the conference there were some hidden, and some not so hidden, envelopes with riddles. These presented opportunities for attendees to win points. The envelope activities were designed to test your smarts, attention to detail and enthusiasm. The winners of the ‘Afford’s Future Boss!’ activity were Victorian staff representatives across Allied Health and Client Services. Their prize includes an invitation to an exclusive luncheon with our very own Afford CEO Steven Herald and Peter Ritchie, former McDonalds CEO. During their luncheon, our Victorian staff will have the awesome opportunity to learn the secrets of running a business and how to ‘plan like a boss’. They can discuss strategies to stay motivated, how to deal with adversity, tools to use to accomplish goals, business development and leading a team. Another highlight session was the Burger Team Building Activity. Teams were required to create their own unique real burger and create a promotional campaign. There was such an array of burgers created, including a dessert burger! The videos that were developed by teams were amazing! Feedback from everyone was really positive with the ‘Afford’s Future Boss’ activity a highlight. Everyone also enjoyed socialising and networking with others from across Afford businesses. The conference was an amazing opportunity for all managers to take a step back to review where they can learn and grow in their leadership. We look forward to seeing some of the great strategies from the conference put into action to drive Afford even further forward towards success.
www.afford.com.au
Staff Matters
February 15, 2019 Issue 192
MELBOURNE TEAM TAKES ON VALID EXPO
Afford’s Melbourne team were run off their feet at the recent VALID - Our Choice Expo at Deakin University in Geelong, Victoria from 4 to 5 February. The team were overwhelmed with interest from visitors to our stand, with many excited and impressed with our display and colourful array of Afford merchandise. VALID is an organisation that advocates for people with a disability in Victoria. This was an important expo for Afford to attend. Being a new, fresh disability organisation to enter the Melbourne market, this was our chance to showcase the range of whole-of-life supports available to individuals living in Victoria. Our Melbourne team, Katie, Kellie and Olivia were busy fielding enquiries from parents, carers, individuals and professionals over the two day event. Feedback about Afford services was positive with many visitors asking about accommodation options and 1:1 services in the Geelong area. Many people hadn’t heard of Afford before, so this was our chance to impress them and get the brand out there - and that’s exactly what the team did! The team promote Afford in the usual ways through our stand and presence at the expo, but there was also subtle promotion, with the Afford branded car positioned in a highly visible location on the street outside the event. By the end of the event, there was a sea of people carrying Afford branded blue bags and wearing our fun and vibrant coloured hats. The expo featured a range of local, regional and state wide services available for participants of the NDIS and the supports available for people with disability and their families through the NDIS. It was a great opportunity for our Melbourne team to connect with the local community. Well done Melbourne team!
Reminder! The safety and well being of our clients is our top priority. Administering medication is one of the most important things that you can do for your clients. Please ensure you: • Understand the medication required for each client
SELFIES OF THE WEEK
• Have stringent procedures and processes in place to ensure medications are administered on time and safely
• Follow Afford’s SAFE procedures (Stop and Focus, Arrange the Medication, First in Line, Ensure they take the medication and Escalate if not sure)
• Regularly refresh your knowledge about administering medications to clients by viewing Afford’s SAFE video available on the intranet
UPCOMING EVENTS DATE:
EVENT:
1-28 Feb
Feel Good February Month
1 -28 Feb FebruDAREy Month
istina & Selfie Above: Cr anager's M e Michelle at th retro! in' ck ro ce en er Conf
Pawsome Se lfie Above: Preston wit Toni h fur baby!
18 Feb
International Asperger’s Day
22 Feb
World Thinking Day
26 Feb
Business Cleanup Day
1 March
World Compliment Day
www.afford.com.au