Annecto has announced it will cease services across Victoria, NSW, Queensland and the ACT from July, impacting thousands of families.
The aged care and disability services provider, which has been running for 70 years, said the decision came after careful consideration and consultation with stakeholders.
“This decision was not made lightly” Annecto chair Colleen Furnaletto said in a statement.
“We deeply appreciate the support of our community over all these years, and the dedication of our staff and partners to high quality of support standards.”
Annecto provides support for more than 3000 people, including the elderly, veterans and people with disabilities, who want to live their lives independently and within their own communities.
It employed 1130 support workers in the past year, according to the latest annual report.
The company said it “considered the service model shifts and financial challenges facing the organisation” before realising “Annecto would be unable to continue providing services in the future”.
While there isn’t a specific closure date provided, other than next month, Annecto said it would begin the transition of offloading its 3737 clients to other organisations.
The company said it would work closely with government agencies – including the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, the National Disability Insurance Agency and the Department of Veteran’ Affairs – to ensure a seamless transition.
Annecto was started in the 1950s, when a small group of young families from Melbourne’s western suburbs “came together with a vision of a more inclusive world”, its bio says.
”Above all, we want to acknowledge the trust placed in Annecto over seven decades,” Furnaletto said.
“From our founding families to our broader community, your support has shaped an organisation built on inclusion and advocacy.
“As we approach this next chapter, we do so with the same spirit that inspired Annecto’s beginnings – ensuring that every person has access to the support they need, delivered with dignity and respect.”
Minister for Health, Disability and Ageing Mark Butler is yet to comment on the closures and if the government might provide any assistance to affected families.
