Shock closure of CommunityWest

Not-for-profit aged care consultancy CommunityWest has announced it is voluntarily closing its services and plans to cease operations from 28 April.

The organisation has been delivering training and service planning advice to home and community care providers for 20 years.

Since 2015 it has led the Step Forward Together project, a major pilot of reablement and wellness services developed in partnership with consumers at 10 sites across Australia.

The organisation was also involved in the development of the Western Australian Assessment Framework Interface that centralised the system for consumers entering the state’s home and community care program.

It has delivered more than 3,500 training courses with over 20,000 participants since 2008. It recently worked with regional Aboriginal service providers in their transition to consumer directed care.

CommunityWest employed 14 full-time and 12 part-time employees, according to its latest financial statements.

The organisation had a total income of $4.7 million last financial year, about $3.5 million of which came from government grants.

‘Difficult decision’

In an announcement this afternoon CommunityWest said it will officially cease operations after it holds a special general meeting on the afternoon of 27 April.

Announcing what had been a “difficult decision” CommunityWest CEO Luisa Wing acknowledged the various partners the organisation had worked with, including the federal departments of health and social services and WA Country Health Service.

She also thanked the community and aged care services the organisation had worked with in recent years as the sector underwent “massive reforms”.

“We wish all of you the very brightest and best futures as you carry on with your transformation,” she said.

The organisation confirmed that any training booked to take place before 14 April would still occur at the designated times and venues.

CommunityWest said questions can be sent to info@communitywest.com.au until 27 April.

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