Annex 1
Local Area Coordination: Unit Cost Calculation - Stirling
Based on very simple maths, e.g. one LAC can support up to 60 individuals (accepted as sustainable as a result of 20 years of practice experience and development in Western Australia and 5 years in Stirling). A bid was submitted for a full-time local area coordinator and a full-time Administrator - totally £58,000 PA.
Simple breakdown of the total amount divided by 60 (people supported) divided by 52 (weeks in the year) and divided by 35 (hours in the week). This gives a unit cost per person supported per hour = £0.53p. A LAC working with 40 individuals would = £0.79p, but in Stirling our LACs have reached 60 individuals within a very short period of time due to the response from individuals and families.
By September 2007, over 200 people had been supported since LAC was established in January 2003, now over 230 (November 07). These numbers include three people who have moved to other areas (two of whom cannot get access to support because there are no LACs and they are deemed low priority for access to the only available support, e.g. traditional Care Management) and two who have unfortunately died.
All of the others lie in approximately three categories:
1. Approximately 20%, usually new contacts where support and time can be intensive.
2. A large group about 60% who receive regular and frequent contact.
3. Approximately 15-20% and growing group who as a result of support have grown in confidence self esteem and activity and who request and require only occasional or infrequent contact.
Examples
- One mother of three disabled children is now stronger, more confident, has improved health and who wants to be able to sustain her family now states: "I know where you are and will get in touch if I need anything";
- One young man (now 18) supported to get involved in a community drama group and to link into work now has a full time job, has many friends and once again is happy to know that he can contact LAC when he needs anything. His parents are also now very happy, all of their worries in the lead up to their son leaving school now a fading memory.