Langford Support Services (LSS) is responsible for a range of services to diverse client groups across southern Tasmania. The principal function of the organisation is to ensure the delivery of a range of health, housing and community services within the context of the State Government’s policy agenda. Key policy frameworks include: Disability Framework for Action 2005-2010 and the Disability Services Act (1992) Standards. The service direction has consistently changed to meet legislative requirements and provide outcomes for service users following adopted philosophies and meeting new initiatives in Tasmania.

Langford has provided support to individuals transitioning from large institutions to the community and has supported two sites in transition in recent years from both the government and non-government sectors. The service focuses on re-establishment of links with the residents’ community, ensuring that they have a sense of belonging that is incorporated in their individual plans of support, with emphasis on resilience and self-independence with the assistance of the service community.

Langford has a culture based on client respect and non-biased acknowledgement of individual backgrounds. The workplace culture can easily be described as “can do” and “keep on trying” as workers support individuals with a varying range of challenges. Langford believes in providing its staff with opportunities to become leaders in the disability field, and also providing skills and knowledge to support to build "Person Directed Teams". Within this context, a key strategy articulated in the Workforce Development and Learning Strategy for 2007-2008 is the development and implementation of a learning program which enhances the capacity of workers in the disability field to implement planning with the people they support.

Langford’s current residential services and programs include:

• Co-located Unit Sites (2) that provide supported accommodation to individuals with disability and mental health needs. The two sites have their own site manager, and include accommodation for up to 32 residents. We have 16 permanent staff, 9 at level 4, 7 level 3 and an additional casual pool to access. Langford employs a cleaner for both sites and also a cook for each site.

• A Share House that provides intensive supported accommodation to individuals with disabilities. This house has 1 site manager, 5 permanent staff (2 at level 4, 3 at level 3) and access to a casual pool of staff.

• The Emergency and Transition Support Program provides intensive support for individuals whose accommodation has broken down. The Emergency support program aims to address issues around accommodation, living skills and behaviour management, and provide direction for individuals in transition to access appropriate options for long term accommodation. There is 1 Co-ordinator for this program who accesses a predominant casual pool of experienced and well-known staff.

• The Respite Program provides both centre-based and in-home respite to individuals with disability and mental health needs. This program has 1 co-ordinator and access to a casual pool of experienced and well-known staff.

• The Individual Support Program provides a range of support options to individuals, including skill development, health care access and daily living support both within intensive accommodation support and the community via outreach services. Langford Support Services has a team that provides a service for all individuals; this being managed by 1 co-ordinator with intensive support and respite experience.

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