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Wimmera UnitingCare has announced job cuts to keep its social service organisations sustainable but has not released the number of people that will be let go.
Wimmera UnitingCare chief executive Wendy Sturgess said on Wednesday that changes to the staffing structure would have no impact on service delivery and day-to-day operations.
She said the purpose of the changes was to ensure UnitingCare would provide the best possible services to individuals, families and communities in the region.
News reports early on Wednesday morning suggested that several staff members will leave the organisation, including some in senior management.
At the time of those early reports, Ms Sturgess declined to say how many people would lose their lobs.
In a late morning statement, Ms Sturgess again did not give a number for job losses.
“In my first six months as CEO I have seen the enormous strength of our services in the Wimmera,” she said.
“Part of my role in leading this agency is to make sure we remain sustainable into the future.
“This is particularly important due to initiatives such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Consumer Directed Care, and Early Childhood Services – all requiring specialised skills and accreditation.”
Wimmera UnitingCare provides family support, early learning, disability, mental health, and youth and alcohol counselling services across 50,000 square kilometers around Horsham and Ararat.
Wimmera UnitingCare’s 2014-15 annual report stated that the organisation employed 340 people, including 91 full-time positions and 30 workers in administrative support roles.
The Mail-Times understands that the redundancies were triggered by a merger between Uniting Care Victoria and its Tasmania operations, which was completed in May this year.
In May, Uniting Care announced that 26 agencies across Victoria and Tasmania would move to a under a single governance structure with a combined budget of about $237 million, 3500 staff and 4000 volunteers.
Ms Sturgess said the merger would strengthen services in the Wimmera.
“Regional and rural communities like us will benefit enormously from this change,” she said.
“It enables the organisation to look at service delivery so that the needs of the most vulnerable members of the community are met. I am looking forward to this transition.”
Ms Sturgess said all stakeholders were being kept informed throughout the process, including clients, staff, funding bodies and volunteers.
Wimmera UnitingCare statement in full
Wendy Sturgess – chief executive
Wimmera UnitingCare Chief Executive Officer Wendy Sturgess has reiterated that changes to the staffing structure within the organisation would have no impact on service delivery and day-to-day operations.
She said the purpose of the changes was to ensure Wimmera UnitingCare was providing the best possible services to individuals, families and communities in the region.
“In my first six months as CEO I have seen the enormous strength of our services in the Wimmera,” Ms Sturgess said.
“Part of my role in leading this agency is to make sure we remain sustainable into the future.
“This is particularly important due to initiatives such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Consumer Directed Care (CDC) and Early Childhood Services (ECS) – all requiring specialised skills and accreditation.”
There will be no changes to service delivery.
In May, Uniting Care Victoria Tasmania announced that 26 agencies across two states would align more closely under a single governance structure with a combined annual budget of about $237 million, 3500 staff and 4000 volunteers.
Former Victorian Health Minister Bronwyn Pike will chair the new board which will begin governance in October.
Ms Sturgess said the unification presented many opportunities for strong advocacy on behalf of the community, as well as potential for increased services as a result of the expertise in other UnitingCare agencies.
“Being able to advocate with a stronger united voice will strengthen our services in Wimmera. The people we support and provide services to are at the heart of everything we do, and a single agency structure allows us to plan even better for a long-term sustainable future,” she said.
“Regional and rural communities like us will benefit enormously from this change.
“It enables the organisation to look at service delivery so that the needs of the most vulnerable members of the community are met. I am looking forward to this transition.”
Ms Sturgess said all stakeholders were being kept informed throughout the process, including clients, staff, funding bodies and volunteers.