How Afford has changed since Disability Royal Commission and Federal Court proceedings
Afford embeds significant positive changes to better safeguard our clients and uphold their rights and choices.
The 2019 death of a young woman supported by Afford marked a profound turning point for the organisation. The circumstances surrounding her passing were examined during the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability from 2015 to 2021 which found that we failed to provide support to our client Merna Aprem in a safe and competent manner.
In June 2023 a final and penalty handed down in the case against Afford at the Federal of Australia. The regulatory matter was raised by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission due to Afford’s failure to comply with NDIS Standards and the regulator’s Code of Conduct and the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Cth) (NDIS Act).
The penalty applied was $400,000.
Afford’s Chief Executive Officer Jo Toohey openly acknowledged that the tragedy was the result of serious failings in our systems and practices. It was a confronting demanded honesty, accountability and a willingness to change. All three qualities were embraced by and its staff.
“The death of Merna Aprem is a tragedy,” said Ms Toohey at the time.
“Afford takes responsibility for this. We also acknowledge breaching the NDIS Standards and Code of Conduct. Afford takes full accountability for these failings.”
The organisation renewed its leadership at both Board and executive levels, bringing in new voices committed to rebuilding trust and embedding a strong human rights foundation into every aspect of our work.
Following Ms Aprem’s death new leadership instigated a significant transformation every aspect of the organisation, its staff, and the services they provide.
Policies, governance structures and frontline practices were completely reshaped to ensure the rights, dignity and safety of people with disability are not simply principles we speak about, but standards we actively uphold every day.
These changes included:
- Renewal of Board and executive leadership
- New governance, safeguarding and human rights frameworks
- Stronger policy and audit systems
- Clearer and more rigorous workforce qualification requirements
- Improved client advocacy and feedback processes
- Upgraded property standards
- A strong focus on quality and continuous improvement
“Everyone working at Afford today is committed to the safeguarding and rights of our clients,” said Ms Toohey. To read the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission statement on the case click here.
