IHC Sustainability Program

Turn Grant Funding into Long-Term Sustainability

The In Home Care Sustainability Support Grant presents an opportunity to do more than address immediate operational pressures.

Use this funding to better understand your service, identify opportunities for improvement and invest in initiatives that strengthen organisational capability, workforce sustainability, governance and long-term viability.

A Two Phase Approach

Phase 1 

Sustainability Diagnostic Assessment

Phase 2

Sustainability Improvement Program

Why this matters
​Working in the Business vs working on the Business

In Home Care services operate in one of Australia's most complex early childhood education and care environments.


Leaders are balancing:

  • Workforce shortages
  • Rising operating costs
  • Compliance obligations
  • Family affordability pressures
  • Service continuity requirements
  • Thin market conditions


For many providers, there is little time available to step back and examine what is really driving organisational performance.


As a result, important questions can remain unanswered:

  • What are our biggest sustainability risks?
  • Where are we losing time and resources?
  • What investments would deliver the greatest return?
  • Are our systems supporting growth and efficiency?
  • What opportunities are we not seeing?


The IHC Sustainability Assessment & Implementation Program is designed to answer these questions.

Phase 1
​Diagnostic Assessment

Typical funding request

$5,000 - $10,000


A comprehensive whole-of-service assessment designed to identify opportunities, risks and priorities for improvement.


Unlike a traditional review, the Sustainability Diagnostic Assessment examines how financial performance, workforce capability, compliance, governance, operations and market conditions interact to influence sustainability.


The outcome is not simply a report.


The outcome is a practical roadmap for action.

Deliverables

  • Sustainability scorecard
  • Executive summary
  • Risk and opportunity analysis
  • Governance and capability assessment
  • Financial sustainability insights
  • Workforce sustainability insights
  • Prioritised recommendations
  • Implementation roadmap
  • Executive debrief

    • Insight without action changes nothing

    Many organisations undertake reviews and receive recommendations.

    The challenge is finding the time, capability and resources to implement them.

    That's why the program includes a second phase focused on implementation and organisational improvement.

    Phase 2
    ​Sustainability Improvement Program

    Typical funding request

    $10,000 - $50,000


    Following completion of the Sustainability Diagnostic Assessment, services may choose to implement priority initiatives designed to strengthen sustainability and organisational capability.

    Governance and Leadership

  • Governance strengthening
  • Strategic planning
  • Risk management frameworks
  • Leadership capability

    • Operational Improvement

  • Business process redesign
  • Administrative efficiency
  • Systems improvement
  • Service delivery optimisation

    • Workforce Sustainability

  • Recruitment strategies
  • Retention initiatives
  • Workforce planning
  • Organisational culture

    • Compliance and Quality

  • Compliance system strengthening
  • Continuous improvement systems
  • Quality enhancement initiatives
  • Policy and procedure development

    • Example Funding Structure

    How could this be included in a grant application

    Every service is different and should determine what is appropriate for its circumstances.

    However, some services may choose to consider:

     ActivityDescriptionIndicative funding*
      Sustainability Diagnostic Assessment A whole-of-service assessment examining financial sustainability, workforce capability, governance, compliance, operations and service delivery. The assessment identifies opportunities, risks and priorities and provides a practical roadmap for strengthening organisational sustainability and viability. $5,000 – $10,000
      Sustainability Improvement Program 
    Implementation of business improvement, governance, workforce, compliance and operational initiatives identified through the Sustainability Diagnostic Assessment. Activities are tailored to the service's needs and designed to strengthen organisational capability, service sustainability and long-term viability.

    		  $10,000 – $50,000+
      Total Sustainability Investment  $15,000 - $60,000+

    *The level of funding requested should reflect the size and complexity of your service. Smaller services may require a more targeted program of assessment and improvement activities, while larger services with broader geographic coverage, larger workforces or more complex operations may require a more comprehensive approach. As a guide, smaller services may undertake an assessment for $5,000 and depending on the type and scope of improvement program budget $10,000 for a target improvement project in one area e.g. operational efficiencies. Alternatively, a larger service may complete a comprehensive diagnostic assessment for $10,000 and budget for two large improvement programs across two areas (governance, workforce, operational efficiencies) for $40,000. 

    Build a stronger,  
    ​more sustainable service

    The sustainability challenges facing the In Home Care sector are real and ongoing. 


    While no single initiative can solve every challenge, the right information and targeted investment can help services make better decisions, strengthen organisational capability and improve long-term viability.


    Let's discuss how the IHC Sustainability Assessment & Implementation Program could support your service and your grant application.


    Jason de Bakker
    FDC Insights & Diagnostics

    jason@fdcinsights.com

    0480584381

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