Welcome to Sharing Places Inc.

What is Sharing Places

Sharing Places is a dynamic organisation which provides quality day services to adults with high support needs to enhance their quality of life through:

• recognition of each individuals rights, evolving needs, skills and potential.
• promotion of their inclusion and citizenship as valued members of the community.

What is the philosophy of Sharing Places?

That inherent rights of adults with disabilities are maintained, including their right to dignity, safety, choice, inclusion and opportunity in line with the Disabilities Act 1986.

Who is eligible to attend Sharing Places?

Policy:

 1.1  Sharing Places participants are members of the Disability Communiity. They;
	. have a primary intellectual disability that;
		-is likely to be permanent; and
		- results in a substantially reduced capacity for self-care, mobility, 
		  communication,interpersonal and social skills,
 		  education, learning, work and leisure; and
		- requires continuing support services;
	. are aged 18 years and above and no longer attend school;
	. are residents in the ACT*, either in community housing and/or family homes 
	 (*or, where resources permit, from adjacent areas of NSW).

Procedure:

Individuals applying to attend Sharing Places will be encouraged to consider seeking assistance from an external advocate in their application to Sharing Places. (A list of advocacy agencies will be available from Sharing Places Reception.)

2.1  Individuals who meet all the defining 
      characteristics of Sharing Places participants (1.1 above) are eligible to access the programs and 
      services offered by Sharing Places. Those who meet only some of these characteristics may be granted 
      access to some services, under terms and conditions specified by Sharing Places before services commence.

2.2  Programs and services will, as far as is practicable, be devised to;
	. meet the needs of individual participants and participant groups,
	. focus on skills development, and
	. operate on the basis of an average participant:staff ratio of 1:2.5

2.3  Each decision for an individual to attend Sharing Places' programs and services will be made after 
     due regard to financial capacity of Sharing Places, (the availability of funding support the 
     individual), the availability of program places, and the level of support required by the individual.

     2.3.1  Attendance by eligible individuals with assigned, dedicated funding will be organised as early 
            as is practicable, subject only to adequate support arrangements being in place.

2.4  Individuals who cannot be admitted to services because of constraints on Sharing Places' resources 
     may place their name on Sharing Places' Register of Interest, which is for people wishing to be 
     considered for government block funded places that may become available.
     
     2.4.1  Placements to block-funded vacancies are offered on the basis of individual assessment; taking 
	    into account the hours available from Sharing Places and the total level of an individual's 
	    support from all sources.

2.5  Individuals who have previously been participants at Sharing Places and, for whatever reason, have 
     withdrawn from services and programs, may reapply to attend Sharing Places. Such applications will 
     be considered through the process and criteria described above and without prejudice to the individual's 
     earlier period participation at any time.

What does Sharing Places provide for individuals?

Programs have a skill development focus and are designed in accordance with the individual's needs, skills, interests and potential.

The programs strive to increase independence and participation opportunities within a community setting.

How does Sharing Places provide service?

Sharing Places is based on a community access model. Participants access community programs and facilities in small groups, with support provided by trained and competent workers.