Lifeline Darling Downs to shut down Tranquillity Care Services following detailed review

Employees and participants of a Toowoomba-based disability support service face an uncertain future after the announcement Tranquillity Care Services would close early next year. Here is why Lifeline Darling Downs made the decision to close the service.

Tranquillity Care Services logo.

A Toowoomba disability support service will close early next year, after a review found it was “no longer viable”.

Lifeline Darling Downs announced on Wednesday that Tranquillity Care Services would not be in operation as of January 31, 2023 following a detailed review of the service in November 2022.

The review revealed the service was “no longer viable” after considering operating costs, scale of the business and limited staff availability.

Grant Simpson, CEO Lifeline Darling Downs & South West QLD at the Chronicle Lifeline Bookfest 2022. Saturday, March 5, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

The decision was described by Lifeline Darling Downs CEO Grant Simpson as “regrettable”, with employees and participants being supported in the face of uncertainty leading into Christmas.

“The decision to close TCS was regrettable and has not been made lightly,” Mr Simpson said. “TCS will work closely with all participants and their families to manage this change. We will make sure that all participants continue to receive care until a new care provider is arranged.

“We will also help affected employees to transition to another employer or to receive assistance with seeking another role.”

The closure comes days after Lifeline Darling Downs announced the organisation was to shutter their Highfields store on December 17.

“While the timing is very unfortunate, there is no connection between the closure of Tranquillity Care Services and our retail store in Highfields,” Mr Simpson said.

“The decision to close Highfields was made several months ago and even though the demand for the Highfields store has been low for several years, our retail shops overall are trading extremely well, and performance is high.

“Lifeline remains very committed to expanding our retails shops into new locations which may include a different location in Highfields in the future.”