FSG Australia (FSGA) is a not-for-profit community organisation, passionately committed at all levels to innovation in human service delivery. We are proactive, respectful and secular in our approach to making a positive difference for people whose lives are affected by disability, mental illness, aged-related frailty, dementia, child safety issues and caring roles.

FSGA has an in-depth understanding of the complexities and key elements of collaboration in a community service context; and understands that this increases the likelihood of achieving shared goals as well as individual outcomes. Key elements include: understanding of the local community and its history, leadership, communication and open dialogue, fostering connectedness, available resources, political climate, policies and regulations. The process involves: defining existing relationships, identifying and initiating new collaborations through strengths-based person-centred practice, recognising and continuously strengthening the interrelatedness.

While FSGA was originally a ‘home-grown’ Gold Coast initiative, where we had multiple sites; we are now also located in Beaudesert; Ipswich; Greater Brisbane; West Morton and the Sunshine Coast.

Today’s FSG Australia grew from the efforts of a small, determined and passionate group of parents who wanted a better deal for their children. In the late 1970s, families caring for a child with a disability living on the Gold Coast might as well have been in the Outback for all the services and supports that existed.  Then known as the Gold Coast Family Support Group, the organization became incorporated in 1979. These pioneers were the forerunners of a philosophy that is now embedded in our practice i.e. identifying unmet needs and working boldly and proactively towards positive change—making a positive difference in people’s lives. It has seen us grow from a respite service in the early days, to embrace the human needs of our increasingly broad target groups.

FSGA is funded primarily through State and Commonwealth sources, but we also generate funds of our own through FSGA Employment and Training Services; and our Greenshop initiatives, which also offer work experience for many of the people we walk alongside. This innovative approach to social enterprise allows us to channel any profit generated back into unfunded programs that target identified unmet need. FSG Australia delivers over eighty per cent of funding in direct service delivery.

FSGA currently manages over 300 programs including over 200 individually-funded budgets from State and Commonwealth funding sources, with an annual turnover of $35 million. Every month approximately 2,500 people receive a service from FSGA.

We have a 30-plus-year history of developing and delivering innovative services which reflect the need for flexibility that is vital in supporting our diverse client groups. We maintain stringent, transparent accountability, excellent management and sound personnel practices which mean that FSGA has the capacity to quickly adapt to the change and growth experienced when projects are newly auspiced.

Registered training organisation (RTO) status means that FSGA can access staff trained in-house without the need to purchase these skills at contract rates from the market. The central administration model allows us to pool the use of cars, computers, photocopiers, etc. thereby facilitating the best possible use for such equipment across a number of programs.

While it is true that the growth of FSGA (from a service with an annual income of $600,000 in 1994 to one of the eighth-largest regional disability/human service organizations in Queensland in 2010) has been considerable, we have tempered this growth with measures that safeguard our commitment to person-centred, individualised practice and human rights.

The central FSGA philosophy and approach that we call Human Rights in Practice (HRP) recognizes that when fundamental human rights such as choice, respect and feeling valued are not met, it is understandable that people often react in ways that may be perceived as challenging. HRP helps us to understand that people respond to the way they are treated and equips us to look holistically to the environment for causes that can be addressed; and as a result we have never required ‘restrictive actions’ as a means of offering a service.

All FSGA staff members must demonstrate their belief in the absolute right of all people to live their chosen life and must understand and be able to work under, the mandate of the Charter of Human Rights. As such FSGA recruits staff on demonstrated values and ethics as well as relevant qualifications and experience.

FSGA recognises the importance of community networks and partnerships in the delivery of quality service and building inclusive lives, and maintains current membership in a number of key local and regional networks and sector-wide organisations. 

All FSGA programs incorporate strengths-based practice within an action-research framework.  This means that the management of the program and decisions pertaining to the project are guided by people we walk alongside, their families and carers, and other relevant stakeholders.

What is the secret of FSGA’s growth and our ability to respond so quickly and effectively to unmet need? OUR PEOPLE! Proudly MAKING A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLE’S LIVES.