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History
Who are we Today?
Involving Family and Friends
Our Staff
Our Commitment
Nursing Consultancy
Further Information

 

 

History

The Organisation was formed in May 1932 as the Wollongong and District Society for Crippled Children. At the time there were limited facilities within the Illawarra for children with physical disabilities, and the Society was able to provide services to families that were not otherwise available.

The Organisation changed its Constitution and name to The Illawarra Society for Crippled Children in January 1964.

In 1965 a house at 362 Crown Street was bequeathed to the Society following the death of Miss Martha Cram, and was to be used as a children’s Hospital and a memorial to the Cram family.

The property was modified in 1971 jointly from funds raised as result of the Lord Mayor’s Appeal and Commonwealth Government funds, and was opened as ‘The Illawarra Children’s Hospital’ (Cram House), caring for post-operative and orthopaedic patients.

In January 1972 an adjoining cottage (360 Crown Street) was purchased by the Society and renovated by West Wollongong Rotary Club, and became a special school for children with disabilities. The following year part of Cram House was used as a Day Care Centre. Both these services were later transferred to other community programs.

In 1974 Cram House closed, and in 1975 re-opened as a ‘Special Purpose Nursing Home’ and quickly filled to capacity to accommodate 26 children with severe disabilities.

In April 1984 extensions to Cram House were opened by Stewart West MP, Member for Cunningham and Minister for Immigration. The extensions were built on adjoining land leased from the Education Department in 1978 and later purchased by the Society. Funds for the extensions came from the community, mainly through a week-end telethon on WIN TV, and the Commonwealth Government.

In 1981 the Society established a community-based group home at Bellambi. It provided accommodation for four children with disabilities and was staffed with Houseparents.

In 1999 the Society changed its name to The Cram Foundation.

The Cram House building became unsuitable for meeting the residents'  individual needs and for their privacy, and in accessing and participating in community activities.

 

During 2002 and 2003 residents moved from Cram House to 'group homes' in the Shellharbour area. These homes are located throughout the community, and each accomodates small groups of residents and are staff on a 24 hour basis.

Cram House was subsequently sold in December 2006 and the administration staff have moved to the Cygnet Centre at Shellharbour City Centre.

Who are we today?

We provide accommodation and other flexible supports in a range of services to children and adults who are physically and/or medically frail. We work closely with our clients in developing a Service Plan which forms the basis around which services are provided. This Plan can be reviewed at any time as needs change.

We have successfully completed accreditation with the Department of Ageing Disability and Home Care (DADHC) and are an Approved Service Provider for the following programs:

DADHC:

• Accommodation support for children and adults who have an intellectual disability and have complex health care needs
• In-Reach Support for younger people in Residential Aged Care (YPIRAC Project)
• High level In-Home personal care

Lifetime Care and Support Authority:

• Attendant care for children and adults who are catastrophically injured in a motor vehicle accident

Care for health and physical needs

Staff are trained to provide manual handling assistance and health related care tasks. We assist clients to work closely with health professionals and provide support in specific health and disability areas.  

Involving Family and Friends

The involvement, inclusion and empowerment of family and friends in the planning and provision of care and support is valued. The Organisation also has a Practices Review Committee where you may wish to be involved in the ongoing development and review of the Organisation and its work.  

Our Staff

All staff have a First Aid Certificate and qualifications in disability, aged care or nursing. Staff work hours that are determined by the assessed needs of clients, and perform their duties according to The Cram Foundation Code of Conduct. They have direct communication with their supervisor and participate in structured supervision processes.

Our Commitment

We have a strong commitment to our clients and to maintaining the quality of our services at the best possible standard.
We respect client privacy and their right to make decisions about how services are delivered and remain flexible to their needs.
We will listen and respond to complaints, aiming to resolve them quickly.

Nursing Consultancy

Our consultancy service, provided by Registered Nurses, is available to clients and Organisations on a fee-for-service basis:

• For Nursing Assessment and the development of Health Care Plans to direct and assist in managing health care. The Clinical Nurse Consultant can also develop detailed protocols to assist staff and family members to safely carry out  health related care tasks
• For clinical audits of service delivery,  provision of  systems management advice  and mentoring in health care management by service providers

For further information:

Services:

Contact Sheila Frater
Manager Disability Services

Business:

Contact Ken Dixon
Chief Executive Officer