LASA Victoria 2017 Excellence in Care Awards recognise best in state
The Leading Aged Services Australia (LASA) Victoria’s 2017 Excellence in Care Awards have been presented at the State Conference in Melbourne this week.
Representatives from Benetas, Victoria accepting the Excellence in People and Culture Award (Source: LASA Victoria)
The awards celebrated the outstanding achievements of Victoria’s aged care industry, while also acknowledging the efforts of the many nominees to increase public confidence and community involvement in the aged care sector.
Residential and community services provider Uniting Age Well received the Community Inclusiveness Award for its work in providing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) inclusive services for its clients.
Uniting Age Well Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Andrew Kinnersly says the organisation recognises LGBTI aging is a “unique and important experience” warranting a considered, consultative and systematic approach.
“Over the last four years, we have worked with the LGBTI community to include LGBTI inclusive practice into our residential and community services, to meet the needs of older LGBTI community in Victoria and Tasmania,” he says.
“Our work with the LGBTI community enhances our long history of providing services for older people, irrespective of their faith, cultural background, gender or sexual identity.”
Not-for-profit aged care service Benetas was also victorious, winning the Excellence in People and Culture Award for its innovative Workforce Plan.
Benetas CEO Sandra Hills says the organisation has been focusing on developing the plan, which drives specific improvements and developments in the work place, for five years.
“This planning has enabled us to offer a holistic approach to employment, including our learning model, our commitment to diversity and inclusion, a focus on leadership and capability development, and a contemporary and proactive health and wellbeing agenda, amongst many others, she says.”
LASA CEO Sean Rooney says the achievements by individuals and organisations highlighted the dedication of an industry passionate about providing quality care for Victoria’s older population.
“Our industry has countless unassuming professionals, volunteers and organisations who don’t generally look for thanks or praise,” he says.
“It is the dedication and professionalism of the individuals and organisations that make up the backbone of out industry.
“The Victorian awards celebrate significant contributions to improving the quality of life of older Australians and acknowledge the efforts to increase public confidence and community involvement in aged care and community care.”
The winners of the 2017 LASA Victoria Excellence in Care Awards are:
Community Engagement Award: Ballan District Health and Care. The organisation hosted a Priscilla Queen of the Desert High Tea for residents, families and carers, along with the wider Ballan community. The sell out event saw the residents keen to show their acceptance of all people within the community.
Excellence in People and Culture Award: Benetas. The Benetas Workforce Plan consists of several initiatives that drive improvement and development within the work environment. The plan seeks to create an environment where employees are supported in their ongoing development, are engaged with the work they do, and are valued for the integral role they play in providing clients with a positive experience of aging.
Community Inclusiveness Award: Uniting Age Well. Since 2014, the organisation has been working to incorporate LGBTI inclusive practices into its residential and community services, in order to meet the needs of the older LGBTI community in Tasmania and Victoria. They also celebrate the contribution of LGBTI staff, volunteers and clients.
Service Innovation Award for Community and Home Care: Mountain View Cottage. The community Program arm of the Home and Community Care team at Whitehorse City Council runs 15 social support group, along with community transport and assisted transport services. It currently facilitates community connectedness for over 200 older people and younger people with disabilities.
Service Innovation Award for Residential Care: Lifeview Residential Care. The care provider developed it’s own model of care, Home 2 Homes. The relationship-based model sees mutli-skilled staff are designated to work with the same group of residents at all times, enabling staff to build on established relationships and create a better continuity of care.
