About SRSs

Page content: What is an SRS? | Who are SRSs for?| Who runs and works in SRSs? | What services are available? | Where are SRSs?

What is an SRS?

SRSs are private businesses that provide accommodation and personal care. This care usually includes assistance with showering, personal hygiene, toileting, dressing, meals and medication, as well as physical and emotional support. Some SRSs also provide nursing or allied health services.

Who are SRSs for?

SRSs cater for people who can no longer live independently at home. These people are generally mobile but need assistance with daily tasks. They include, for example:

• older, frail people
• people with a physical, psychiatric, intellectual, acquired brain injury or other disability
• people with particular needs, for example dementia.

Some SRSs cater for a particular group only, for example, for older frail people.

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Who runs and works in SRSs?

SRSs are owned by a person or company (called the proprietor) who is granted a certificate by the Department of Health allowing them to operate the SRS. The proprietor may also be the SRS manager.

SRSs are required to employ a qualified personal care coordinator who coordinates care for all residents. The proprietor may also be the personal care coordinator if suitably qualified.

There must be at least one staff member for every 30 residents, extra staff to provide adequate levels of care for residents, and sufficient staff (at least one) on site overnight to respond to the resident's care needs and to ensure the safety of residents.

What services are available?

While SRSs do not receive direct government funding, residents can access some government-funded services and community services. For example, residents may be assisted to go to government-funded services or the service may visit the SRS. These services may include allied health, mental health, disability services, veterans' affairs and neighbourhood houses.

SRS residents need to meet the same eligibility criteria for government-funded services as other people in the community.

SRS residents are not eligible for Home and Community Care services that are already provided by the SRS, such as delivered meals, home care, home maintenance and personal care. Residents are eligible for other services such as home nursing, social support and allied health.

The SRS manager or personal care coordinator will know how to access these services or you can ask your local council or community health service.

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Where are SRSs?

SRSs operate in the community in purpose-built facilities or in modified buildings. Whatever the type of building, SRS proprietors must provide a home-like environment.

List of SRS facilities

For more information contact us.

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