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Like the burst open pomegranate, an eloquent symbol of generosity, may we be abundant in our self-giving for others.

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Welcome to St John of God Accord

About St John of God Accord

We are a division of St John of God Health Care providing support to people with intellectual disabilities through a variety of services since 1953. Our Corporate Services are located in Charter Street, Ringwood and provide essential administrative support services to the whole of St John of God Accord. Relocating YES Personnel into the single corporate office has greatly improved consultation and efficiency. Each team onsite is responsible for the delivery of efficient systems and are ready to support each area of service. Our support services are located throughout greater Melbourne, from Lilydale to Sydenham and include:

  • Shared Supported Accommodation (SSA) located in two main hubs: the eastern region (Chirnside Park, Mooroolbark, Lilydale, Bayswater and Croydon) and the northern region of Melbourne (Macleod, Glenroy, Reservoir, Bundoora, Coburg and Preston)
  • Accord Community Engagement Services (ACES), formerly referred to as Day Programs
  • Individualised Support (IS) based in Eastern and Northern Community Hub locations
  • Respite care in Macleod
  • Employment support services
    -  YES Personnel, an open employment service based at our Corporate Service office in Ringwood
    -  Churinga Employment Support Service (CHESS), a supported employment service based at one of
       our original sites in Greensborough.

With a great heritage of hospitality, our services are designed to provide greater access to you and your community. We offer many opportunities to participate in interesting activities, programs and projects available from all of our services throughout Melbourne.

Find out more in our Services Brochure (May 2011).

Our Objectives for the Future

There has been significant change in the disability sector, particularly in relation to models of service delivery and funding. This change has required a re-evaluation of our services and resulted in a reduction in client numbers while we assess our future direction. Our current Chief Executive Officer, Mr Tony Hollamby, has streamlined the management structure and reporting lines in conjunction with the changes in service models made by the Department of Human Services. St John of God Accord has further developed its capacity to offer individualised support rather than block funded programs, enabling people to receive tailored services and support according to their lifestyle needs.

To ensure compatibility of residents living in our shared supported accommodation locations, we have partnered with the Department of Human Services to review the current model. Accord has continued its focus on positive behaviour support strategies to assist people who display behaviours of concern. Each person receiving a service has a person-centred plan or employment plan that informs staff of their support needs and helps improve services at ground level.

We continue to encourage volunteers from local educational facilities, such as Parade College, Lolyla College, Eltham College and RMIT Bundoora to undertake part-time placements at various service sites. Accord's future strategy and structure will be closely linked to St John of God Health Care's new Social Outreach and Advocacy (SOA) Five Year Strategy (2010-2014), the new Disability Strategy and proposed changes in government funding for the disability sector. The SOA strategy has a growth framework supporting the development of new services throughout St John of God Health Care and is underpinned by capacity building - supporting individuals and communities to develop the skills to manage their own health and wellbeing.

Accord will further develop its capacity and expertise in delivering more complex service models to improve outcomes for the people we support. We will also continue to develop our Shared Supported Accommodation and Community Engagement Services to better meet the current and potential needs of people, with an increasing focus on individualised support.

Our Service Ethos

  • We are committed to providing equal access to community events and everything else taking place in local communities so that each person can experience a full and rewarding life, and can flourish within their community 
  • We take pride in the fact that we strive to always provide the right environment for people with an intellectual disability
  • We ensure that the rights of each individual are respected
  • We strive to offer learning opportunities tailored to each person
  • We encourage the people we support to fully participate in a wide range of social and cultural experiences within their local community
  • We strive to ensure relationships that are developed are honest and sustainable.

Contact Us

Please contact any of our locations for further information or browse our website to locate the service that best suits your needs. We hope you find the information within this site useful and we welcome your feedback. If we can be of assistance, please stop by any of our service locations for further advice and support.

Contact any of our services via email (each service listed below is linked directly to the relevant email contact).