Northcott Disability Services

Northcott was established as The NSW Society for Crippled Children in 1929 by the Rotary Club of Sydney^[1]in response to the growing number of children left with the effects of illnesses such as polio and tuberculosis.

Overview

Founded: 1929

Type: NGO

Purpose: Disability Services provider

Location: NSW and ACT

CEO: Liz Forsyth (September 2020 - )

Website: northcott.com.au

Introduction

Northcott (previously The NSW Society for Crippled Children) is a not-for-profit disability service provider that works with customers to realise their potential.

As one of Australia’s largest not-for-profit disability service organisations, Northcott provides services from metropolitan and regional locations throughout NSW and the ACT.

Northcott is a registered National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provider. Northcott employs over 2,500 staff and provides personalised services to over 13,500 people with disability, their families and carers each year.

History

Northcott was established in 1929 as the NSW Society for Crippled Children by the Rotary Club of Sydney to provide services for children with disabilities due to polio, tuberculosis and other diseases. In 1992, the name changed to The NSW Society for Children and Young Adults with Physical Disabilities, and in 1995 to The Northcott Society. Northcott is named in honour of NSW’s first Australian-born Governor, Lieutenant General, Sir John Northcott KCMG, KCVO, CB KtSt J, who was Patron from 1946-1957.

On 18 March, 1930 the first Auxiliary was formed at Killara. The proud history of Auxiliaries to assist the NSW Society for Crippled Children continued until recent time. Of particular note is the service of the North Shore Auxiliary whose members provided 70 years of dedicated support.

In 1957, Northcott president, Sir Kenneth Coles held the role of President of the International Society, later Rehabilitation International (RI Global). Many other organisations started with the support of Northcott. Cerebral Palsy Alliance began in January 1945 with a grant. Muscular Dystrophy Association NSW was founded as an affiliated organisation in 1957. Today Polio NSW and NSW Amputee Association of NSW are supported by Northcott with premises and services.

For more than 90 years, Northcott has provided support and services to children, young people and adults with disability to develop life skills, build confidence and become active participants in their communities. In 1997, the National Library of Australia awarded Northcott a Community Heritage Grant that enabled the organisation to appropriately house a rich collection of historical papers and memorabilia.

In 2003, Ability First Australia was formed, being a national body of not-for-profits in a strategic alliance of 14 of Australia’s leading disability service providers, of which Northcott has been a part since its creation. Member organisations are in all states and territories.

Born in England in 1877 but quintessentially Australian, the much-loved author, illustrator and cartoonist May Gibbs has thrilled generations of young readers with her gumnut babies’ characters and stories. On her death in 1969 she bequeathed the copyright from the designs of her bush characters and her stories jointly to Northcott (then the NSW Society for Crippled Children) and Cerebral Palsy Alliance (formerly The Spastic Centre of NSW).

Two histories have been published that tell the Northcott story: The History of The New South Wales Society for Crippled Children by Sir Kenneth Coles and James Donaldson, 1976 and Breaking the Barriers: The Story of the Northcott Society by Beverley Fletcher, 1998.

In November 2017 Northcott acquired 109 group homes, respite homes and specialist supported living services from the NSW Department of Family and Community Services (FACS). More than 1,000 customers were using the services that transferred to Northcott and around 1,200 former FACS staff joined Northcott as new employees.

Northcott values and mission

Northcott’s promise to customers is to work creatively and relentlessly with each customer to unlock, discover and unleash their potential, supporting and empowering them to be the best they can be now and in the future.

Northcott’s purpose is to build an inclusive society where people can live the life they choose.

Northcott is a values-based organisation that strives to foster a workplace culture based on three core values.

• Innovative:  developing new ideas and solutions with creativity in anticipation of changing needs
• Respectful: everyone’s voice is unique and that they have the right to be heard
• Brave: having the courage to stand up for people with all abilities even in the face of adversity

Today, Northcott helps more than 13,000 children and adults with disabilities, their families and carers across NSW and the ACT. Northcott provides more than 100 services and programs

Northcott's purpose is to build an inclusive society. This is achieved by assisting people with disabilities to develop their skills, achieve their goals - including their potential for independence and ability to participate in their communities.^[2]

Northcott provides services from 31 sites across metropolitan, regional and rural NSW. There are offices in regional NSW including; Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Moree, Oak Flats, Penrith, Queanbeyan, Tamworth, Casula, Ballina, Mayfield, Campbelltown, Wyong, Hornsby, Mona Vale and Wagga Wagga.

May Gibbs, creator of the Gumnut Babies, Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, bequeathed 50% of her royalties, from the designs of her bush characters, to Northcott in 1969 when she died.^[3][4][5]

References[]

External links[]

• Official Northcott website

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