‘Devastating’: Families, workers reeling as Encompass Community Services’ jobs axed

Jobs at Encompass Community Services have been redundant as the fall out from organisation going into administration continues. Families say the shock move is “terrible”.

Judy Hewson says it’s “devastating” her son Josh can no longer attend sessions at the Apollo Place op shop. Picture: Mark Wilson

Encompass staff hoping administrators could save all of the organisation’s vital community services, some which help the vulnerable in Geelong, are shocked after they were told with just hours’ notice their jobs were axed.

Staff say about 30 people have been shown the door across five Encompass sites including the HomeStart service at Apollo Pl,Whittington, an op shop at Wilsons Rd, Whittington, a Mercer St, Geelong cafe and two supported living homes in Werribee.

As the fall out continues from the organisation going into voluntary administration on January 12, refugees, people fleeing domestic violence and those rebounding from homelessness will be forced to go elsewhere for help with Encompass services at these sites cut off.

About 10 families per week are assisted with life necessities at HomeStart, staff said.

People with disabilities are employed at the Geelong cafe and the Whittington sites.

Operations at Encompass Community Services’ other sites continues.

Administrator Worrells said the shut services were not financially viable, and more information would be provided to axed staff about entitlements.

Prior to administration the Encompass board had resolved to close the Whittington sites which assist people referred to it from organisations including Give Where You Live, Bethany and Barwon Child, Youth & Family, a manager said.

An Encompass staffer at Whittington said the sites, where about 10 people worked, provided a vital community service.

“We make houses a home. We take away the burden. We help put people back together. You are helping them see light at the end of the tunnel,” the staffer said.

“I don’t know how many people I’ve seen cry happy tears (when we help) because they haven’t had people care for a long time.

“The relief people have after coming to us; it’s the simple things like having a bed to sleep in, a fridge to put food in, and utensils to cook. We give people choice in tough times.

“You can’t give this service to anyone to run you need people with compassion, understanding and empathy.”

Judy Hewson, mother of a young man who takes part in the Encompass program at the Apollo Place op shop at Whittington, said staff there were also informed of their immediate redundancy on Wednesday afternoon.

Ms Hewson said she was called to pick up her son before his session’s scheduled end at 3pm. Picture: Mark Wilson

She said parents were called soon afterwards to collect their children, hours before the program was scheduled to end.

In an email to staff on Wednesday evening administrator Worrells explained its decision.

“Employees may be aware that the voluntary administrators are in ongoing discussions with GenU in respect to the transition of the divisions operated by (Encompass),” the email read.

“Following recent discussions with GenU and other potential similar providers, the voluntary administrators have made the difficult decision to cease trading (at) ReadyStart and HomeStart op shops (in Whittington); Mercer St café and Werribee divisions.”

Worrells said the decision was made because it was not aware of anyone willing to take over the services; because Encompass management had resolved to close the op shops prior to administration; and that there was no money to continue operations at the sites.

Ms Hewson’s 22-year-old non-verbal son Josh has attended Apollo Place since he was 18.

She said her son’s confidence had improved “tremendously” while participating in the program.

“He was assisted in helping in the op shop, serve customers, put things away, collect donations,” Ms Hewson said.

“He can greet people, helps them pack their bags … use the register.

“It’s all with help, because he’s not verbal, but he just loves it.

“The participants run that place, it’s so good. They’ve left these participants up in the air,” she said.

“It’s thrown (Josh’s) whole schedule out.

“He knows what days he’s got what programs on, and now we’re going to have to try and tell him, ‘no, we can’t go there today because there is no program’.”

Ms Hewson said Apollo Place participants and their families were now left to figure out what to do next, although they had been told they would get assistance in finding new programs.

She said she was concerned about waitlists at potential services for Josh, who requires 24-hour daily care.

“This was his little bit of independence,” she said.

“I think the whole way it’s been handled … is shocking – that they’ve done this during business hours while clients were there.

“They have not put in any consideration … this isn’t your average workplace.

“It’s bad enough they have to do it to an average workplace, but to special needs (people).”

19-01-2023 Mark Butcher was the manager of cafes at Encompass that have closed after going into admistration. Picture: Brad Fleet

Mark Butcher, the food services manager at Encompass’ 3219 Eat program, said staff were shocked after he and his team were made redundant effective immediately on Wednesday afternoon.

Mr Butcher, who said he was “head hunted” to be the organisation’s food services manager,

had been in charge of the Encompass cafes on Gheringhap St and Mercer St.

Mr Butcher said participants at the cafe, who helped run the business, were there when administrators came in to tell him the 3219 Eat on Gheringap St would close immediately.

“I had one (female participant) … she understood what was going on (and) burst into tears,” he said.

“It just rips your heart out. It’s really, really terrible.

“The people who work (at Encompass) don’t do it for the money, they do it because they’re passionate and they care.”

Encompass Community Services was contacted for comment.

Do you know more? Contact [e-mail] or [e-mail]

Originally published as ‘Devastating’: Families, workers reeling as Encompass Community Services’ jobs axed