Focus ACT

Since 1989, Focus ACT has been supporting people to live their lives in the Canberra Region, with over 35 years of experience empowering individuals with disabilities through personalised, high-quality support services that promote independence, inclusion, and achievement of personal goals. As a trusted, established disability service provider, Focus ACT combines decades of experience with evidence-based practices and genuine commitment to participant-led support.

Why Choose Focus ACT:

Over 35 Years of Experience – Established in 1989 with proven track record since

Canberra Region Specialist – Deep local knowledge and community connections

Participant-Led Support – Genuine commitment to participant voice and choice

Evidence-Based Active Support – "Every Moment Has Potential" philosophy

Community Inclusion Focus – Comprehensive programs building meaningful connections

Person-Centred Care – Individualized support plans tailored to personal goals

Guardian & Advisory Forums – Structured participant governance and input

Regular House Meetings – Ongoing engagement with participants and families

Safety & Trust Priority – Highest standards of safety, privacy, and ethics

Goal Achievement Focus – Collaborative approach to meaningful outcomes

Comprehensive Services – Full range of disability support options

Quality Assurance – Commitment to excellence and continuous improvement

Our Mission:

To empower individuals with disabilities through exceptional, person-centred support services that promote independence, community inclusion, and the achievement of personal goals. We are committed to participant led support and evidence-based Active Support practices that ensure every participant has the opportunity to engage meaningfully in their community.

Mission Principles:

Empowerment:

Supporting self-determination and autonomy

Building confidence and capabilities

Promoting choice and control

Fostering independence

Exceptional Support:

High-quality, professional services

Evidence-based best practices

Continuous improvement focus

Skilled, dedicated staff

Person-Centred Approach:

Individual needs and preferences at center

Tailored support plans

Respect for personal goals and aspirations

Flexibility and responsiveness

Community Focus:

Meaningful community engagement

Social inclusion and participation

Building connections and relationships

Access to community opportunities

Our Vision:

A community where every person with a disability has the opportunity to live independently, participate fully in community life, and achieve their personal aspirations through collaborative participant led support, comprehensive Community Inclusion programmes, and evidence-based Active Support practices.

Vision Elements:

Independent Living:

Opportunity for all to live independently

Skills and support for self-sufficiency

Choice in living arrangements

Control over daily life decisions

Full Community Participation:

Genuine inclusion in all aspects of community life

Access to mainstream activities and opportunities

Meaningful social roles and relationships

Breaking down barriers to participation

Personal Aspiration Achievement:

Support to pursue individual dreams and goals

Recognition of unique aspirations

Resources and assistance to achieve ambitions

Celebration of personal accomplishments

Collaborative Support:

Partnership approach with participants

Working together toward goals

Participant voice driving support

Shared decision-making and planning

Our Core Values and Practices:

Focus ACT operates according to six foundational principles:

1. PARTICIPANT LED SUPPORT

We recognise the vital role of participants in leading their own support through our Guardian and Client Advisory Forum and regular House Meetings with Participants and Families.

What This Means:

Guardian and Client Advisory Forum:

Formal structure for participant governance

Regular meetings providing participant input

Direct influence on organizational decisions

Platform for concerns, suggestions, and feedback

Meaningful participation in service direction

Regular House Meetings:

Scheduled meetings with participants and families

Discussion of support plans and progress

Addressing concerns and preferences

Collaborative problem-solving

Building community within services

Participant Leadership:

Participants drive their own support

Self-advocacy encouraged and supported

Choice and control in all decisions

Individual preferences respected

Active participation in planning and review

Benefits:

Services truly reflect participant needs

Increased satisfaction and engagement

Empowerment and self-determination

Responsive, adaptive support

Strong accountability to participants

2. COMMUNITY INCLUSION

We create meaningful opportunities for participants to build connections, engage in community activities, and develop lasting relationships that enhance their quality of life.

Our Approach:

Building Connections:

Facilitating social relationships

Supporting friendships and networks

Connecting with community groups

Developing support circles

Reducing isolation

Community Activities:

Access to recreational opportunities

Participation in local events

Mainstream activity involvement

Cultural and social engagement

Sports, arts, and hobby groups

Lasting Relationships:

Supporting meaningful friendships

Family relationship maintenance

Romantic relationship support

Peer connections

Community belonging

Quality of Life Enhancement:

Social wellbeing improvement

Sense of belonging and purpose

Expanded life experiences

Personal growth opportunities

Fulfillment and happiness

Community Inclusion Programs:

Structured inclusion activities

Skill development for participation

Supported community access

Group and individual opportunities

Partnership with community organizations

3. ACTIVE SUPPORTS

Using evidence-based practices, we ensure Every Moment Has Potential through graded assistance, maximising choice and control, and supporting participants to engage meaningfully in daily activities.

"Every Moment Has Potential" Philosophy:

Active Support is an evidence-based approach recognizing that every interaction and activity presents opportunity for:

Skill development

Meaningful engagement

Choice and autonomy

Relationship building

Quality of life enhancement

Key Active Support Principles:

Graded Assistance:

Providing just enough support for success

Scaffolding to build independence

Gradual reduction of assistance as skills develop

Balancing support with challenge

Promoting capability growth

Maximising Choice and Control:

Offering real choices throughout the day

Supporting decision-making

Respecting preferences

Enabling self-determination

Promoting autonomy

Meaningful Engagement:

Supporting active participation, not passive observation

Involvement in valued activities

Contributing to household and community

Developing skills through real activities

Purpose and meaning in daily life

Evidence-Based Practice:

Active Support is a research-proven approach demonstrating:

Increased participant engagement

Skill development and independence

Improved quality of life

Greater choice and control

Enhanced community participation

4. PERSON-CENTRED CARE

Every support plan is tailored to individual goals, preferences, and aspirations, ensuring participants remain at the centre of all decisions.

Our Person-Centred Approach:

Individual Support Plans:

Developed collaboratively with each participant

Based on personal goals and aspirations

Reflecting individual preferences and needs

Regularly reviewed and updated

Flexible and responsive to changes

Goals, Preferences, and Aspirations:

Understanding what matters to each person

Respecting individual dreams and ambitions

Supporting diverse goals and interests

Honoring cultural and personal values

Celebrating uniqueness

Participant at Centre:

All decisions involve participant input

Support designed around the person

Individual preferences drive service delivery

Respect for autonomy and choice

Empowerment and self-determination

Tailored Support:

No one-size-fits-all approaches

Customized to individual circumstances

Adapted to changing needs

Responsive to feedback

Personalized service delivery

5. SAFETY & TRUST

We maintain the highest standards of safety, privacy, and ethical practice in all our support services.

Our Commitment:

Safety Standards:

Comprehensive risk management

Safe environments and practices

Staff training in safety procedures

Incident prevention and management

Participant wellbeing priority

Emergency protocols and preparedness

Privacy Protection:

Confidentiality of personal information

Secure data management

Respect for personal boundaries

Privacy in support delivery

NDIS compliance for privacy

Ethical Practice:

Professional conduct standards

Code of ethics adherence

Integrity in all interactions

Transparency and honesty

Accountability for actions

Participant rights protection

Building Trust:

Consistent, reliable support

Following through on commitments

Open, honest communication

Respect and dignity in all interactions

Building long-term relationships

Responsive to concerns

6. GOAL ACHIEVEMENT

We work collaboratively with participants to identify, pursue, and achieve meaningful personal goals and outcomes.

Our Goal-Focused Approach:

Collaborative Goal Setting:

Working together to identify goals

Understanding participant aspirations

Setting realistic, achievable targets

Breaking large goals into steps

Regular review and adjustment

Goal Pursuit:

Developing strategies and action plans

Providing necessary support and resources

Skill building for goal achievement

Overcoming barriers and challenges

Celebrating progress along the way

Meaningful Goals:

Goals that matter to the participant

Aligned with personal values and interests

Contributing to quality of life

Building toward personal vision

Diverse across life domains

Outcome Achievement:

Measuring progress toward goals

Celebrating successes

Learning from challenges

Adjusting approaches as needed

Documenting achievements

Goal Areas:

Independent living skills

Employment and education

Social relationships and community

Health and wellbeing

Recreation and interests

Personal development

Over 35 Years of Service:

Since 1989:

Focus ACT's 35+ year history represents:

Established Expertise:

Decades of disability support experience

Deep understanding of participant needs

Refined practices and approaches

Proven track record of success

Institutional knowledge and wisdom

Evolution and Adaptation:

Adapting to changing disability sector

Incorporating new evidence and practices

Responding to participant feedback

Embracing NDIS and modern approaches

Continuous improvement and learning

Community Integration:

Established Canberra presence since 1989

Long-standing community relationships

Local knowledge and connections

Trusted reputation in region

Multi-generational service provision

Sustained Commitment:

Over three decades of consistent service

Ongoing dedication to participants

Stability and reliability

Long-term staff and relationships

Enduring organizational values

Canberra Region Focus:

As a Canberra-based organization since 1989, Focus ACT offers:

Local Expertise:

Deep understanding of Canberra community

Knowledge of local services and resources

Established community partnerships

Regional accessibility and presence

Cultural understanding of local area

Community Connections:

Relationships with local organizations

Links to community activities and groups

Access to regional opportunities

Integration into Canberra life

Local employment and volunteer networks

Our Services:

While specific service details aren't fully outlined, based on Focus ACT's mission and approach, services likely include:

Accommodation Support:

Supported Independent Living (SIL)

Group home support

In-home assistance

Respite services

Community Participation:

Social and recreational activities

Community access support

Skill development programs

Group activities and outings

Daily Living Support:

Personal care assistance

Household task support

Life skills development

Meal preparation and nutrition

Active Support Services:

Evidence-based engagement support

Skill building through daily activities

Choice and control maximization

Meaningful participation facilitation

Support Coordination:

NDIS plan management assistance

Service coordination

Goal planning and review

Resource connection

Contact Focus ACT:

Company: Focus ACT

Established: 1989

Experience: 35+ years

Service Area: Canberra Region, ACT

Core Practices:

Participant Led Support

Community Inclusion

Active Supports

Person-Centred Care

Safety & Trust

Goal Achievement

Governance:

Guardian and Client Advisory Forum

Regular House Meetings with Participants and Families

Philosophy:

"Every Moment Has Potential"

Focus ACT – 35+ Years of Empowering Lives in Canberra

Since 1989, Focus ACT has been supporting people to live their lives in the Canberra Region through exceptional, person-centered disability support services. With over 35 years of experience, we combine evidence-based Active Support practices, genuine participant-led support, and comprehensive Community Inclusion programs to empower individuals with disabilities to live independently and achieve their personal goals.

Our Mission:

To empower individuals with disabilities through exceptional, person-centred support services that promote independence, community inclusion, and the achievement of personal goals.

Our Vision:

A community where every person with a disability has the opportunity to live independently, participate fully in community life, and achieve their personal aspirations.

Our Approach:

Participant Led Support through Guardian and Client Advisory Forum

Community Inclusion creating meaningful connections

Active Supports ensuring "Every Moment Has Potential"

Person-Centred Care tailored to individual goals

Safety & Trust maintaining highest standards

Goal Achievement through collaborative support