Julie Silke Daly, CEO - INTRODUCTION TO OUR STRATEGIC PLAN 2024-27

Since joining Ability West as CEO in January 2024, a key priority has been to redesign the delivery of the service to prioritise the full inclusion of the people we support in our community and putting in place the structures to meet the needs of people we support, their families and the staff team.

The organisation did go through some challenging times in 2023, and it is true to say that there were alot of mitigating factors in the backdrop to these issues. I propose that together we review and refresh our ways of working, support our staff teams to deliver local services in our communities and build our capacity to meet day service, residential, community supports, and respite.

We are now embarking on a three-year plan to make significant changes to the organisation which will change the entire modus operandi of how we manage and control the organisation.

We have commenced planning ahead for changing needs of the people we support. Within our services we have persons with aging requirements, mobility issues and increasing health needs.

I am very confident of the tremendous support from the Board of Ability West, and I know that together the Board and the Executive Team will work to ensure the delivery of the plan.

The Strategic Plan and the Four Strategic Initiatives have been designed to allow for additional scope under the four key pillars of the Strategy: New Model of Service Strategic Initiative, Finance Strategic Initiative, Governance and Management Strategic Initiative and People Strategic Initiative.

Our approach will be to use the Plan, Do, Check and Act Methodology across all Strategic Initiatives. This will mean that we will have Streams for improvement projects across the different areas which will all be specifically time lined for implementation.

An overarching promise from the organisation is that we will endeavour to communicate with all our stakeholders on a regular basis as we proceed through the implementation of this exciting new strategic plan.

Julie Silke Daly
Chief Executive Officer

Our Strategic Plan for 2024-2027 contains four Strategic Initiatives:

  • New Model of Service Strategic Initiative

  • Finance Strategic Initiative

  • Governance and Management Strategic Initiative

  • People Strategic Initiative

Full details of the new Strategic Plan are covered in our Strategic Plan 2024-2027 which you can access here. 

New Model of Service Strategic Initiative

We recognised in 2023 we had some challenges. Our Compliance to HIQA regulations fell far short of a satisfactory standard and we identified the need for change. The nature of the quality and service will be delivered in line with the Health Act 2007 (Care and Support of Residents in Designated Centres for Persons (Children and Adults) with Disabilities) Regulations 2013.

We treat all our service users with dignity and respect, and we respect their individual rights, and we must deliver a service which meets their needs exclusively. We also recognise the rights of our staff and need to ensure they are treated with respect, have contracts in place which are flexible and accommodate their needs and that they have secure employment and a fit for purpose place of work. Staff have clearly identified that they do not feel their voice is heard and we as an organisation are going to change that.

The key objective is to change the model of service to a ‘regionalised’ model dividing the County of Galway into four areas of operation, where a regional team of Areas Service Managers, Persons-in-charge, Multi-Disciplinary Teams, Support and Administration work together as one unit. In addition, we will employ a Clinical Nurse Specialist for each region to assess plan and implement a health care pathway. (See the Strategic Plan for the full set of aims under this strategic initiative here)

GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIC INITIATIVE

It is apparent that we need to align our governance and process structures. We need to ensure that all our services operate to the same standards irrespective and that when staff transfer to other agencies, the methodology of work is exactly the same. 

In implementing the regionalisation structure of Ability West, the governance structure will change so that each region has a clearly defined management team, with clear roles and responsibilities. We will introduce the role of the General Manager with key responsibilities for delivery of regulatory compliance services. 

We appreciate the support and time expended on Ability West matters by our Board Members which they do in a voluntary capacity. We will ensure that the Board and the Executive Management Team work together in the best possible way to support our service users and to achieve the best outcomes.

We will ensure that our Corporate Governance structure is perfectly designed to achieve optimum service to our organisation. We will ensure that our staff on the frontline have the best training which is fit for purpose for their roles.

 Deirdre Breen
Quality & Compliance Team

PEOPLE STRATEGIC INITIATIVE

The definition of People in most organisation relates to their staff. In Ability West, the term ‘our people’ means so much more. It refers to: 

People we support 

Our Staff 

Families 

Board members 

Trainers 

Advocacy Team 

CE Scheme Employees 

and probably more!

Meeting the needs of all our people is a key focus and as such they are all interlinked. Our Board consult with our Executive Team to ensure the best possible modus operandi for our organisation. Our Management and Frontline staff support the people in our organisation who we care for and must always be our main focus. Our Trainers ensure that our people are trained and are the best they can be at their roles. Well trained staff are invaluable and so we want to retain our staff and create a positive work culture for them to develop and grow.

Joan Fitzpatrick
Manager, Beechwood & Greenview Day Services

Members of the HR Team

Finance Strategic Initiative

Financial resources in not-for-profit organisations continue to be challenging. There is a constant high demand for services and supports in our day, residential and respite services. We also have an increasing need for more funding in the areas of Home Sharing and Community Adult Care. The numbers of people requiring these types of support continues to rise year on year.

The status of our organisation as a Section 39 presents further challenges to our ability to hire and it is our hope that this changes in the future.

Our first step is to establish a current financial baseline and agree the same with the HSE. Due to significant changing needs of the persons we support there is a significant increase in cost of the service.

Finances of the people we support - we have an ongoing duty of care to the individuals we support to ensure that their finances are appropriately managed with their best interests at heart. This is particularly relevant in the context of the recent Assisted Decision-Making legislation. (See the Strategic Plan for the full set of aims under this strategic initiative here)

What will the achievement of the Strategic Plan mean for you?

If you are supported by us in one of our Residential, Day, or Respite Centres,
we are dedicated to including you in decisions about the future of our organization. Our commitment is to help you "Live Your Best Life," ensuring you have every opportunity to enrich your journey.

We pledge to

Remain responsive to your changing needs.

Support you with any health challenges you encounter.

Provide you with a solid sense of security, assuring you that we will always be there for you.

Your well-being and involvement will be at the heart of everything we do - always.

If you are a family member or support carer of someone we support,
we are dedicated to enhancing our communication and contact with you. We will keep you informed and updated on actions and improvements we are undertaking.

Our promises to you include

Addressing your feedback or complaints promptly and resolving them to your satisfaction.

Actively listening to your concerns and making every effort to address any issues you raise regarding your relative’s care.

Operating in an inclusive manner to significantly improve our interactions with family members and carers.

We are committed to ensuring you are not just informed but also heard, and your concerns are acted upon to enhance the care and support of your loved one.

If you are a staff member of Ability West,
we are dedicated to fostering a positive working environment that prioritizes your growth, safety, and well-being. We are committed to creating a culture where you feel empowered to develop professionally and personally while providing exceptional care to those we support.

Our commitments to you include

Ensuring a healthy work/life balance with schedules that accommodate your needs and those of your family.

Establishing robust communication channels to keep you informed about any changes, developments, and our progress in implementing the strategic plan.

Recognizing and appreciating your contributions to our organization.

Making Ability West a place where you feel valued and supported, enabling you to be the best version of yourself.

Your dedication is invaluable to us, and we will strive to create an environment where you can thrive professionally and personally.

THANK-YOU!

We would like to say a heartfelt thank you to all our stakeholders, the people we support, their families and our staff who engaged with us during the compilation of this strategic plan. Without your help, support and ideas, we would not have such a comprehensive plan!

Special thanks to our Advocacy Council for assisting in the consultation process with the people we support and also to our Speech and Language Team for their assistance.

Thanks also to our HR team who facilitated sessions with out staff, and to our Executive Leadership Team, Management Team members; Area Service Managers; and Multi-Disciplinary Teams for engaging with our families in our Family Forum.

Got questions on our strategy?

If you have questions on our strategy or would like to know more, please feel free to contact us - click here to access our easy contact form.