Kudos Health and Ageing

A Care Together Project

The expansion of Kudos Services’ existing capabilities to include delivery of comprehensive, multidisciplinary allied health care and key worker supports to older adults

Location

Regional areas of South Australia including Mount Gambier, the Riverland, and the Iron Triangle.

What is the market failure being addressed?

The review of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) highlighted the importance of integrated and comprehensive support services that span an individual’s lifetime.

There’s an urgent need for innovation in aged care, especially in regional, rural, and remote areas. This initiative will address the critical gaps in current service models, particularly for those transitioning from the NDIS into aged care who need continuous support to achieve their social and community participation goals.

What is the project seeking to achieve?

With the support of the Care Together Program, Kudos aims to expand its scope from specialising in child development to providing lifelong support across all stages of human development. By expanding its services, Kudos hopes to meet the growing demand for multidisciplinary allied health teams that provide holistic care to older Australians.

Kudos Services strategic workshop

On 11 February 2025, Kudos Services welcomed Care Together representatives Peter Hunt and Nick Hislop for a comprehensive strategic workshop. Kudos team members participated in discussions focusing on the program’s purpose, challenges related to organisational growth, mutuality, Mutual Value, future partnerships and the need for a constitution review. The workshop also explored Kudos Services’ planned expansion into aged care delivery across regional South Australia through their new initiative, Kudos Health and Ageing. This expansion will enhance their service offering to include multidisciplinary allied health care and key worker supports for older adults.

Project update

As an existing mutual looking to expand its services, Kudos has already completed registration and has therefore progressed rapidly since coming on board as a Care Together project last September. Kudos Services has now entered a pivotal phase in its journey, advancing from its foundation in early childhood intervention to delivering holistic, lifespan care.

Over the past twelve months, Kudos has translated its values of equity, empowerment and inclusion into tangible action. The organisation has established steering and advisory structures, completed comprehensive needs assessments, and engaged closely with local communities and allied health professionals. Early pilot services are already live in Mount Gambier, while set-up and stakeholder engagement in the Riverland and Iron Triangle regions are well underway.

Workforce development remains a core focus, with significant investment in onboarding, member engagement and the creation of training modules that reinforce both clinical skills and mutual values. These efforts are coupled with business modelling, stakeholder consultation and digital platform development, laying the operational groundwork for sustainable regional delivery.

Kudos continues to demonstrate the unique strengths of the mutual governance model by fostering a supportive culture where employees have a meaningful say in strategy and operations. Ongoing feedback from both clients and staff is guiding iterative improvements, ensuring services remain responsive and effective as the expansion continues.

Lessons and outcomes from the pilot programs will be shared with the wider mutual and aged care sectors, contributing to sector reform and showcasing how employee-owned mutuals can drive both systemic change and day-to-day impact.

By embedding mutual values in all aspects of service, governance and workforce development, Kudos is building a platform for supporting people across the lifespan. Through their established services and expanded offerings, Kudos is demonstrating that values-led, community-focused organisations can deliver high-quality and sustainable care.

Quotes

“The Australian government’s focus on aged care reform, particularly its push for innovative solutions, aligns perfectly with Kudos’ capabilities and vision.”

“The government’s emphasis on improving care quality, increasing workforce sustainability, and fostering community engagement presents an ideal moment for Kudos to leverage its successful model of employee-controlled mutual governance.”

“By embracing this opportunity, Kudos Services aims to become a leader in lifelong support, ensuring that all Australians, regardless of their location, have access to the care they need to live fulfilling and dignified lives.”

“The expansion into aged care services is a natural progression for Kudos, building on its established expertise in child development and early intervention.

Project leader

• Liz O’Connell, Chief Executive Officer, Kudos Services