Minda refusing to explain sudden exodus of staff as state opposition asks Disability Royal Commission to investigate

Minda is refusing to explain whether two senior executives resigned or were sacked – and why several lower-level staff immediately followed them out the door.

Minda is refusing to explain a sudden exodus of senior managers and lower-level staff, prompting fears of an impact on clients and calls for the Disability Royal Commission to investigate.

Chief executive officer Kym Shreeve and executive manager of client services Jocelyn Graham suddenly departed their roles last Thursday.

Sources familiar with the matter said the pair were told they had been sacked effective immediately, but Minda said on Friday they had “recently advised the board of their intention to leave”.

The organisation, one of the state’s largest NDIS providers, on Monday refused to clarify whether they were sacked or left voluntarily.

A spokeswoman also refused to say how many staff resigned on Friday, but The Advertiser has been told several others, including managers, resigned from the roles after news of the executives’ departure was circulated.

Opposition human services spokeswoman Nat Cook said issues including the high turnover had left her “fearful for the safety and welfare” of Minda’s clients.

Opposition human services spokeswoman Nat Cook has asked the Disability Royal Commission to hold a special hearing into the operations of Minda. Picture: AAP Image/Keryn Stevens

For that reason, Ms Cook on Monday asked the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability to hold a special hearing into the operations of Minda.

She also called on Human Services Minister Michelle Lensink to implement a full community visitor scheme as a safeguard measure.

“South Australians need a government that will stand up and demand the highest quality care and support for the vulnerable in this community, not one that just sits idly by,” Ms Cook said.

“As the Minister won’t step in and ensure the clients of Minda have a voice then I have no choice but to refer this to the Royal Commissioner.”

But Ms Lensink said the scheme had failed under the previous Labor government.

Human Services Minister Michelle Lensink said the community visitor scheme failed to detect shocking abuse and neglect at Oakden. Picture: AAP Image/David Mariuz

“It’s interesting that Labor and Nat Cook refer to a community visitor scheme when that same scheme under Labor failed to detect the shocking abuse and neglect at Oakden,” she said.

“It’s clear Labor and Nat Cook still do not understand that the NDIS is funded and regulated by the federal government and, once again, Labor is chasing a headline without regard for Minda staff and clients.”

The Crown has previously advised of constitutional issues with the scheme performing its former functions after clients became federally-managed under the NDIS.

Minda, which is this week undergoing a midterm quality audit, has moved to assure clients and families the staff turnover would not result in any change to services, saying the organisation “remains in very good hands”.

Following the departure of Ms Shreeve and Ms Graham, Judy Curran, an experienced chief executive and former Minda board member, was appointed interim chief executive.

Lorraine Sheppard, who sits on the board, was appointed as a consultant to lead the client services division.