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The Story of Perth Home Care Services 1970 - 2000
The history of Perth Home Care Services is a history of people; people caring for other people and trying to meet the needs of the community. The initial dilemma which prompted Gwin Ruston to found PEHS was one of men requiring urgent assistance to care for their families whilst their wives were in hospital. For Gwin Ruston, the establishment of Perth Emergency Housekeeper Services was premised on the notion that family should be kept together wherever possible, though at that time the focus was on keeping children in the family home. Today PHCS also emphasises the notion of keeping children within their own homes and supporting families in the community, though with a greater focus on the frail aged people with disabilities.
In 1966, the West Australian Citizens Advice Bureau identified a need for an emergency housekeeping service to assist families living in the Perth Metropolitan area. The then Director of the Bureau, Mrs. Gertrude (Gwin) Ruston, was also the Executive Director of the Council of Social Services, and the Chairperson of the Council’s Family Welfare Committee.
To help establish the need and show a capacity to operate, money was raised through a street appeal in November. An establishment grant and an annual operating grant, both $1000, were received from the Commonwealth Government. Additional funds were received from the State Government and the Lotteries Commission.
The service was established in 1967 and was known as the Trained Emergency Aids (T.E.A.) operating under the auspices of the West Australian Council of Social Services with Mrs Gwin Ruston as the Hon. Director. The service was set up to provide emergency housekeeping services, specifically for short term help needed because of hospitalisations, illness of mothers of young families, and sick or injured aged persons. The role of the housekeeper was to maintain the household routine and continuity of the family life but not to undertake nursing duties.
The service operated out of a small room in Boans (known as Myers) on the corner of Murray and Pier Street. In its first year of operation it had 239 clients, 80% of which were families with young children and 20% frail aged. The organisation actively sought to assist migrant families who were unable to call on relatives and friends and as the demand grew services were expanded. In 1969, the State Grants (Home Care) Act was introduced and it was under this Act that the Service received it's funding.
Incorporation in 1970 as the Perth Emergency Housekeeper Service marked the formal separation from WACOSS although the organisation had been operating independently for some time.
Interestingly, there were no training for housekeepers in those days. There was no selection criteria for obtaining the job, no police clearance required and very informal interviews (sometimes done by phone). A genuine interest in the nature of the work was the only criterion, Gwin notes in her book that "Many of the most satisfactory women were past middle age; experienced in running their own homes; good cooks and able to budget" (The Clock of Time p188). Today we provide considerable training for support workers and this enables us to employ a broad range of people who have an interest in the field and to offer a diversity of services.
From very early on, Housekeepers were advised that whilst it is important to do the housework and maintain the house, the main priority is emotional care and support of the family. Similarly today, our staff are called support workers, rather than cleaners, when on paper the care may involve cleaning the home. In reality, the social support and contact and monitoring of changes in client circumstances is just as important as the cleanliness of the home. Clients have identified this communication with PHCS staff as important: "…They cheer you up". The overwhelming message from clients is that the people who make up the staff of PHCS are very good, fair and truly dedicated to their work.
| The acceptance of HACC funding in 1985 signalled a new direction including: |
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Relinquishing long standing services for families in crisis and motor vehicle accident clients; |
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The change in emphasis from "emergency" to preventative care; |
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An emphasis on service to the frail elderly and people with disabilities to enable them to continue living in the community. |
These changes were reflected in the new agency name Perth Home Care Services (Inc) that came into effect on July 1, 1988.
Today PHCS is an organisation of over 300 staff caring for more that 1,200 people by delivering 239,000 hours of service in 2002/03 with a budget of $7 million. Our modern head office is situated in Osborne Park. Evidence of commitment to quality is the achievement, in 1007, of certification to ISO 9002 administered by Standards Australia. PHCS was the first community care organisation to achieve this goal. In June 2002, PHCS became the first community care organisation to obtain certification to AS 4801 Occupational Safety & Health.
The major funding for the organisation is from the Home and Community Care program administered jointly by the Commonwealth and State Governments. The strategic goal of diversifying funding sources to enable more services to the target population has resulted in funding agreements with the following government departments:
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Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care for 57 Community Aged Care Packages; |
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Office of Mental Health (Department of Health –Western Australia) for disability support and respite; |
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Disability Services Commission for accommodation support and intensive family support; |
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Department of Veterans Affairs for Veterans Home Care. |
There has also been considerable growth in the area of fee for service where organisations and individuals purchase services.
The aim of thirty years ago to "help families in need" remains in our current mission: "To provide excellence in our range of quality services to meet changing community care needs".
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