2024 Board Chair Annual Report

2024 has been a great year for Hawksbury, with much to celebrate, all made possible by the very special people who live and work at Hawksbury. As our Residents have made clear, it is ‘My Life, My Choice’ so the Board of Trustees, Executive Leadership Team, Home Managers and staff are working to make sure we support this vision, so clearly articulated by the Resident Advisory Group.

Key achievements for 2024 include:

• Targeting recruitment to reflect 120% of rostered hours to limit the use of agency staff.

• Investing in customised coaching and professional development for the management team.

• Creating the role of People and Culture Manager and Lonaye commencing in this role.

• The welcoming of new residents in Christchurch: Katelyn, Simon and Jared.

• The opening of two new Jamell Place residences (previously Avonhead Road).

• Improving the level of cultural competence of the organisation (with increased use of Te Reo and manaakitanga).

• Measuring the carbon footprint of Hawksbury to inform decision making.

• Achieving three years Certification from the Ministry of Health. Many strengths of the organisation were highlighted with minimal low-risk corrective actions.

We still have much work to do, and in 2025 we aim to:

• Develop the Resident Advisory Group so that our Residents can further influence organisational priorities.

• Further develop the health and safety programme for Hawksbury to ensure staff and residents are protected from avoidable harm.

• Plan for the replacement of older homes (and action when funding changes are finalised).

• Develop a parent/whānau support group.

• Explore alternative funding streams.

• Implement new technology to make payroll and rostering more efficient.

• Continue to develop our staff, to better support our residents to live their choices.

This is my first year stepping into the Chair role, 33 years after Richard first took on the challenge of setting up Hawksbury. Thankfully Richard has remained on in the Deputy role to support a smooth transition after such a legacy. The board members in addition to Richard (Felicity, Matt, Steve and Chris) represent a marvellous group of people with extensive skills and experience with whom I am very honoured to serve as Chair.

The uncertain times we find ourselves in, with respect to funding changes in the Disability sector will influence our decision making in 2025. We are looking at a likely break-even funding scenario for 2024/2025, which leaves little to re-invest in staff or facilities. However Hawksbury will always remain committed to paying its staff as much as it can afford, supporting their professional development and investing in quality homes for our residents. A conservative approach in managing the funding received over the past few years ensures that Hawksbury has ‘saved for a rainy day.’ We do hope the rainy day does not eventuate and we can re-invest in further home developments and staff pay increases in the near future. At the moment we need to wait and see which recommendations are implemented (from the Independent Review of the Disability Sector) and their impact. We are almost certain that the model of funding will change and that we will need to adapt as an organisation to the constraints and opportunities. But as Richard outlined in his departing Chair’s report last year, Hawksbury has been adapting, challenging societal norms and innovating since 1990, and we will continue for the benefit of our residents.

On behalf of the Board, I recognise the commitment and mana our Chief Executive, Kim, brings to Hawksbury and how well supported she is by the ELT members, Sarah, Susan, Emma, Vicki and Lonaye. The Board truly appreciate your significant contribution to Hawksbury, along with the Managers and staff.

Megan Hopper

Hawksbury Board Chair

13 November 2024