The Hills Shire Council is currently seeking appropriately qualified and experienced respondents for the provision of services outlined in the specifications.

The project will aim to conduct a comprehensive review of Hills Community Care services and the readiness for HCC to provide services beyond July 1st, 2027, post the Federal Government changes to the Commonwealth Home Support Programme transitioning to the Support at Home system. The review will provide a full assessment of all services provided by HCC in the context of the new Support at Home requirements and recommendations for continuity and sustainability beyond July 2027.

Non-Negotiables

• HCC should deliver a profit to Council but must continue to remain at no cost to Council.

• HCC must remain compliant and in line with all Government Aged Care provider requirements.

Objectives

• Evaluate current operational model and services delivered as well as workforce review.

• Assess current compliance to Government regulations and service provider requirements and recommendations to ensure future compliance for 2027 changes.

• Analyse current market situation and competitive environment and undertake projected situational analysis for 2027 and beyond.

• Consider current financials and projected outcomes and sustainability from Acil Allen report from Sept 2024 and identify cost reduction efficiencies for period July 2025 to July 2027

• Benchmark HCC against industry best practice, including online presence and marketing of services.

• Develop strategic recommendations in line with the four (4) HCC potential outcomes from working group – reduce services that are at financial risk, cease services completely, sell HCC as a continuing entity or develop a separated non-for-profit entity as an alternative.

Methodology

• Desktop and on-site analysis and document review

• Staff, client and stakeholder interviews

• On-site visits and observations

• Further data analysis and financial review using Acil Allen report as a base.

• Benchmarking against industry standards

Deliverables

• Interim outcomes and findings at set time points

• Comprehensive report and presentation with main insights and recommendations for the period July 2025 to July 2027 and also post Government changes in 2027.

• Strategic roadmap with detailed implementation recommendations

• Financial Projections comparing current situation (with grant funds) versus modelling scenarios with the changes to the programme, such as continue as per normal, cease all operations and reduce or separate.

• Implications for the fee structure for above modelling scenarios – fully cost recovery (nil cost to Council, partially subsidised or fully subsidised by Council)

• Benchmark against other current profit and non-profit providers with regards to financials including output levels and cost of output per service. We need to know what the current competition is, incorporating competitive neutrality principles.

• What other implications arise out of Federal changes to the commonwealth Home Support Programme

• Implications for current workforce in terms of redundancy and /or re-deployment

• Communications plan for internal staff, Councillors and clients as well as Government

Stakeholders

• HCC and Council Staff and internal departments

• Councillors, General Manager and Group Manager

• Federal Government agencies – Aged Care

• Clients, carers and families

Assumptions

• Acil Allen report can be used as the basis for the financial analysis with an updated report by July 2025 to provide new base.

• Stakeholders will be available for interviews and consultation.

• Analysis will be based on current industry trends and regulatory frameworks.

• Recommendations will be based on future requirements and projected competitive environment.

• Federal Government Department will implement new Support at Home program in full and on time no earlier than July 1, 2027

Success Outcomes

• Clear identification of improvement areas and actionable strategies in two tranches – July 2025 to July 2027 and 2027 and beyond

• Clear stakeholder engagement and feedback to support recommendations and involvement.

• Practical, implementable recommendations leading to positive operational and financial outcomes and clear implantation pathway.

• Enhanced compliance and service quality in line with best practices and Government agency requirements