As we near the end of the current financial year celebrating the LSA’s 10 years of operation, we invited staff with 10 years of service to share their reflections on the past decade at the LSA.
Caitlin Fulton, Manager Service Planning
Caitlin first heard about the LSA through an inspiring presentation by then CEO, Lois Boswell, at an Occupational Therapy conference in 2014.
“The role sounded like an exciting opportunity to be part of an innovative and impactful new organisation, and I knew that’s where I wanted to be!”
Caitlin’s professional journey has seen her take on the roles of Service Planner, Senior Service Planner and Manager Service Planning.
“I moved into a management role to assist participants in a broader sense, support staff and contribute to service improvements. The LSA has provided me with opportunities for career development and growth.”
Regardless of the role, Caitlin finds the most rewarding experience to be supporting participants to leave hospital settings.
“It’s a privilege to support participants to return home to living in their communities in rural and remote settings. There can be many challenges in terms of accessing therapy, attendant care, completion of home modifications and other services.”
Reflecting on how the LSA has changed over the decade, Caitlin points to technology and market changes.
“Our new IT system is a huge and positive change for the organisation. The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) started at a similar time to the LSA and has had a significant impact on the allied health, attendant care and accommodation markets in Australia.”
Looking back, Caitlin takes pride in her achievements.
“I completed a research project relating to addressing sexuality for LSS participants and presented these findings at conferences. It was important to understand participant and staff experiences about a topic that is important but rarely addressed.”
What does Caitlin like most about working at the LSA?
“The positive team culture, we work with great people! The ability to maintain work life balance and the variety in supporting participants of all ages and stages of life in both urban, rural and remote areas.”
Rohan Weckert, Senior Scheme Legal Advisor
Rohan spoke to us about his 10-year journey at the LSA which began even before the organisation officially existed.
"I started under a branch of DTF called Motor Injury Insurance Reform. Back then, we were a small team of about eight staff members, holding weekly in-person all-staff meetings. The LSA Board had just started meeting every month, so we were busy preparing Board and Committee reports. It was an interesting time!"
Over the years, Rohan has experienced many parts of the business.
"I've been involved in Projects, Business Support, Participant Support, Procurement, Vendor Creation, Committee Executive Officer, Research Education & Programs, Board Secretary, and Governance & Legal.”
Through these varied experiences, there are key moments that stand out to Rohan.
“There are many memorable stories. Meeting participants and their families, delivering equipment to hospitals, and going on regional participant home visits. As someone in the Corporate team, it’s always fascinating to see our Service Planners in action outside of the office.”
Looking back, Rohan takes pride in his achievements.
“The LSS Rules reviews I’ve been involved in, presenting at conferences or to key stakeholders, coordinating a major dispute in the Supreme Court, and giving advice to the Executive team that leads to a great outcome.”
Reflecting on the biggest changes he has experienced at the LSA, Rohan describes the past ten years as different eras, each impacted by major changes.
"We've had different Chief Executives each with their own unique style, the impact of COVID and the shift to WFH, and the growth of the LSA, including increasing staff and participant numbers."
What does Rohan like the most about working at the LSA?
“It's a combination of the people, the work, the value you get from contributing to our purpose and vision and helping the community on a no-fault basis.”
Penny White, Senior Manager Lifetime Support
As a physio with over 20 years of hospital and community rehabilitation experience, Penny joined the LSA in 2015.
“In Sydney, I worked in Compulsory Third Party serious injury case management when the Lifetime Care Scheme commenced in NSW. When I moved back to Adelaide, I returned to practicing clinically but missed the case management aspect of working more holistically with people. I followed the introduction of the LSS closely and joined the LSA as a Senior Service Planner.”
Working in the Service Planning team for a decade, Penny has seen many participants adjust to their injuries and go on to live a full life.
“One of the first participants I worked with was just 17 years old when he sustained a high-level spinal cord injury resulting in quadriplegia. He lives his life taking risks like most young adults. Supporting him to experience rights of passages with his peers was a great lesson in dignity of risk and helped me adjust my practice regarding risk and participant empowerment.”
Reflecting on the biggest changes she has experienced at the LSA, Penny points to the increased number of staff and participants.
“Scheme growth has required us to evolve in both how we support participants and how we work together to do this across the LSA.”
Penny capitalised on career progression opportunities to take on manager and senior manager roles, but her biggest achievement is supporting the implementation of the Living Life Model.
“Supporting the Services team to implement a model focussed on building participant independence and capabilities so they can live a meaningful life with the support of the LSA. This is also designed to ensure the financial sustainability of the Scheme so that we can continue to support participants for their lifetime.”
What does Penny like most about working at the LSA?
“The culture - people at the LSA work according to our values and purpose of keeping participants at the centre of what we do. The LSA is always looking at improvements to support the best outcomes for participants. After 10 years, we are still faced with new situations that require innovative solutions to support each unique participant.”
