Geelong disability service genU to adopt new operating model

A large-scale Geelong-based disability support service confirms it is making changes to a core component of its operations but insists clients will not be affected.

genU will again streamline internal services but this time the changes are to core departments. Picture: Alison Wynd

One of Geelong’s biggest employers is making significant changes to its frontline services, with one insider claiming voluntary redundancies have been shopped to staff.

Disability support service genU confirmed it was streamlining a major arm of the business to “facilitate operating efficiencies” and “reduce administrative burden”.

It comes after the organisation offloaded its entire support co-ordination division in January.

The organisation’s disability and ageing teams are the focus of the latest shake-up.

Chief operating officer Brooke Draper said while the company’s internal set-up may change, its mission would not.

“As a leading community service provider, genU is unwavering in its commitment to delivering high-quality, safe and client-focused services to clients nationwide,” she said.

“The proposed changes to our operating model reflect our commitment to reinvesting in the services and facilities that directly benefit our clients and communities.”

genU chief operating officer Brooke Draper said the changes were positive. Picture: Alison Wynd

Reasons for the move include improving standards for those accessing services and ensuring the delivery of said services is more consistent.

“Our clients will see no impact from any changes that may be implemented … and can be assured they will continue to receive the same high-quality services.”

Across Australia, genU has more than 6000 staff, many of whom are based in the Geelong region.

A genU insider claimed a number of local workers have been offered redundancies or reduced roles and salaries.

This allegedly includes housing team leaders, support worker operations managers and peer mentoring staff but how many specifically is still unclear.

The Geelong Advertiser asked genU if it thought cutting jobs would place remaining workers under more stress and at risk of burnout.

It did not address that question, but Ms Draper instead said that employee feedback would “help shape the way forward” while the organisation worked on achieving a “sustainable” new business model.

The organisation has consistently scrutinised its internal practices over the past few years.

In October 2023, a restructure resulted in the loss of 55 jobs – half of which were at management level.

In 2023, genU boss Clare Amies said frontline services needed more investment. Picture: Supplied.

Again, the streamlining of services was identified as the basis for the redundancies.

At the time, chief executive Clare Amies said the organisation was “wanting to invest more” in frontline resources and needed to trim “layers of management.”

Then chief operating officer Travis Heeney also identified stronger support for direct roles as justification for cost-cutting measures.

“It was really just looking at things and saying, ‘you know what, that’s a bit of a luxury – we can’t afford that type of management structure moving forward’,” he said.

The business suffered nearly $40m in losses over the two financial years between 2022-2024.

genU is still looking for someone to take its top job after Ms Amies resigned in late April.

She will remain in the role while the board hunt for her replacement; the recruitment process is still ongoing.

Originally published as Geelong disability service genU to adopt new operating model