Media Statements - Award acknowledges Nulsen Haven's standards

27/6/00

One of Western Australia’s best-known agencies for people with disabilities, the Nulsen Haven Association, has been recognised for its high standard of service through an award for service excellence.

The inaugural Disability Services Commission Standards Achievement Award was presented today to Nulsen Haven’s president, Peg Parkin. The agency was acknowledged for consistently meeting and implementing the Disability Service Standards.

Nulsen Haven was established in 1954 as the Mentally Incurable Children’s Association by parents of children with intellectual disabilities to provide short-stay residential facilities for the children. Today it runs 19 homes in the community for 65 residents with profound disabilities.

Disability Services Minister Paul Omodei said the quality service provided by Nulsen Haven was a good example of the strong partnership that had been developed between Government and non-Government agencies.

He said eight standards governed services provided by agencies for people with disabilities and ensured that they met State and Commonwealth legislation.

Mr Omodei said the standards encouraged continuous improvement by clearly spelling out what level of services was expected and also allowed people with disabilities and their families and carers to have their say on what was being provided.

“The standards create a national framework against which we can assess services and consequently safeguard the interests of people with disabilities,” he said.

Mr Omodei said that since 1997, more than 140 services had been monitored by independent monitors.

“Independent monitors visit the services, talk to consumers, parents and staff and observe the operations, then produce a report that could recommend improvements if required,” he said.

Mr Omodei said one of the most pleasing aspects was agencies’ willingness and openness towards the monitoring process.

“Monitors are always welcome, and many agencies go out of their way to encourage involvement by people with disabilities and their families,” he said.

Agencies’ willingness to take on board any recommendations by the monitors is further evidence of their commitment to service excellence.

“That is the key - the standards are not about meeting bureaucratic benchmarks,” the Minister said.

“They are about providing the best possible service to people with disabilities.”

As well as the award to Nulsen Haven, certificates of high commendation were presented to:

the Multiple Sclerosis Society of WA for its Fern River accommodation complex for seven residents with multiple sclerosis, in Wilson;

WA Deaf Society for its Community Housing Support Program that supports people with a hearing impairment to live independently;

Brightwater Care Group for Ellison House, an accommodation facility for people with Huntingdon’s Disease in Carlisle;
and -

the Association for the Blind of WA for its Fremantle-based Orientation and Mobility Service that assists people who are blind or vision impaired to familiarise themselves with their local environment and to travel safely and independently.

Media contact: Hugh Ryan 9213 6700