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.

Project update

As an existing mutual looking to expand its services, Kudos is not required to undertake registration and has therefore progressed rapidly since coming on board as a Care Together project last September. The recent focus has been on business planning, efforts to refine workforce strategy and a strong emphasis on ensuring high-quality service delivery as the expansion takes shape.

In coming months, the project will focus on strategic targets, including reviewing and potentially updating its constitution to ensure alignment with the project’s evolving needs.

Other priorities include:

• Membership growth will be a priority, with efforts to build membership value and foster engagement.
• Making the business operational, with an emphasis on deploying the workforce and establishing the necessary infrastructure for service delivery.
• A major goal will be demonstrating the value of the mutual governance model to the Department of Health and Aged Care (DHAC), emphasising how this model benefits not only allied health but also provides a sustainable, community-driven solution for families and older Australians.

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