Staff FAQs: TSA transfer

In late 2018, TSA decided to review their approach to disability services throughout Australia. This review was all about making sure they could best direct their resources to help them achieve the greatest impact. As a result of this review, TSA decided to transfer its disability services to other providers – including Aruma in Queensland.

We were chosen by TSA because our Values aligned with theirs, and this was a big priority for them.

We were also chosen because we are one of Australia’s leading disability service providers, and we have a lot of experience in successfully transitioning staff and customers from other providers.

Although Aruma is our new name (we were known as House with No Steps and The Tipping Foundation), we’re definitely not the new kids on the block. We have decades of experience supporting people with a disability. That’s the only thing we do, and we know we do it well.

We’re proud to be the trusted partner of over 5000 people with a disability throughout eastern Australia.

In recent years, we have successfully transferred over 1600 staff and 1100 customers from the New South Wales and Victorian Government, as well as other providers.
Our team at Aruma has the skill, experience and empathy to help make this transition for you as smooth and positive as possible.

Day one – the day staff and customers will officially be with Aruma – will be Monday 14 October.

Please contact our dedicated customer service team on 1300 538 746 or email our team.

This was a very intentional decision a few years. Hear us out…

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has brought long-awaited change to the disability sector. We were actually an active campaigner and champion for greater choice and control in the lives of people with a disability. We are constantly
evolving, growing and innovating to ensure we provide the best possible service.

So, we changed the way we talk about the people who choose us for their services.

We no longer see people with a disability as ‘service users’, ‘participants’ or ‘clients’ but rather as customers – people truly empowered to make informed decisions about their own lives, choosing the services they need and the organisations who
deliver them.

First thing’s first. Our aim is to make this transition as smooth as possible for all those involved. A lot of the transition work will happen behind the scenes, but the first steps is to re-employ you to Aruma.

We are committed to keeping you up-to-date each week throughout the transition period. And when we get closer to ‘day one’ you will be provided with a full Aruma induction and training.

It is our hope that all TSA staff will apply for reciprocal roles with Aruma. All TSA applicants will be invited to go through Aruma’s recruitment process.

We want to ensure continuity of services, so the recruitment process will start immediately – from Friday 16 August 2019. Our aim is to provide letters of offer by Friday 20 September.

Yes, we will be offering the same roles as you are currently in. We’re hoping to re-employ as many staff as possible.

Of course! We have a very simple recruitment process for this transfer. It’s an online application, then we will move to group interviews, which will discuss Aruma Values, customer experiences and the support you offer to customers. After that is done, we will offer employment to successful applicants.

Aruma has the same pay scale as TSA under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award. So, when we offer you a role with Aruma, you will be paid at the same level.

We pay our support staff fortnightly. The pay cycle covers your previous two weeks of work – from Monday through to Sunday. Aruma deposits your pay on a Wednesday afternoon so depending on the bank you use this will be available Wednesday or Thursday each fortnight.

Yes. Aruma’s systems are different to what you have been used to at TSA. But, not to worry. We will be providing plenty of training for you.

Absolutely! We are committed to the training and development of all our staff.

When you start with us, you will receive an Aruma induction which will focus on our systems and processes, and medication training all in line with our Aruma policies.

Depending on your role, you will also get training on our Person Centred approach, Active Support, Manual Handling, Nutrition and Swallowing, Restrictive Practices, Positive Behaviour Support Plans and Human Rights.

Aruma is also a recognised Registered Training Office (RTO) and we encourage and support all our staff to get the relevant qualifications, and to upskill if that’s something that you want to explore.

You will be paid for all face-to-face training.

Aruma does not have staff uniforms. Why? We want to make sure we ‘blend’ into the communities in which we operate. We do expect all our staff to dress appropriately.

Absolutely, just make us aware of your plans for leave in your application for employment.

We want to maintain the current line management for all Lifestyle Workers (we call them Support Workers at Aruma) and Team Leaders.

Please assure your customers that you will have an answer for them by Friday 20 September 2019. Our aim is to re-employ as many TSA staff as possible.