For more than seven years, Maxima has proudly supported a dedicated team of admin support officers living with disability who work within the Department of Health in East Perth, Western Australia. The team of seven provides vital behind-the-scenes support that helps the department run smoothly, taking on a variety of administrative and operational tasks.
The group’s day-to-day work is allocated by Helen Frantom, Manager Information Services, Department of Health WA and is managed by Maxima’s employment support partners Tahlia Robinson-Solczaniuk and Amanda Boardman, who share a role that is co-located with the team. Tasks are allocated based on each person’s strengths and interests.
During a recent visit, we met David, Roland and Geoff – three long-serving team members who between them have more than 40 years of combined service.
Roland, who uses a wheelchair, is known for his sharp eye for detail – and his sense of humour. His careful approach ensures that data entry tasks are completed to a high standard and away from work, he is learning how to build websites.
Roland recalls a time when he had fallen from his wheelchair at home and couldn’t get help right away. When he didn’t arrive for work, Tahlia noticed and called to check in. ‘It’s just another thing that work gives you,’ Roland said. ‘People were expecting me – and when I didn’t turn up, they put out the call for help. It’s nice to know I was missed.’
Having the team based in the department’s open-plan environment has also had benefits beyond the work itself. ‘People see and get to know the team,’ Helen says. ‘They appreciate that there’s a person on the other end of their request, not just an anonymous admin service. The team brings energy, connection and a great sense of purpose to the workplace.’
‘They add more than just clerical support – they’ve become an important part of the team and a living example of what inclusive employment looks like in action.’
