1. A quality organisation
Neami has a passionate commitment and more than 20 years’ experience providing quality rehabilitation services to people with a severe and enduring mental illness. Great emphasis is placed on taking seriously the consumers’ view about their recovery. As a result, Neami has introduced the Collaborative Recovery Model of service delivery. The development of policy and practice that describes the level of consumer participation within the organisation consolidates Neami’s belief that consumer participation should influence all levels of decision making. In keeping with this, Neami has a diverse representation including carers, local service providers, community members, and consumers that make up its Board of Directors.
2. A growing organisation
Neami has an exciting growth rate – with increasing federal and state government funding, we have expanded in size from 500 to 2500 consumers accessing our service within the past ten years, resulting in employee numbers growing from 50 to 340 staff. This growth has increased our operating budget to $25 million. This has allowed Neami to grow to 11 Services in New South Wales, five in South Australia, one in Western Australia, two in Queensland, and 11 in Victoria, and we foster ambitious growth plans for the future.
3. A learning organisation
Neami has had a long-standing commitment to continuous improvement, training and development across the organisation, and was accredited by the Quality Improvement Council of Australia in 2004, 2007, and 2010. Neami achieved high ratings in the three core standards of: Incorporating and Contribution to Good Practice, Human Resources, and Finance. As part of its commitment to ongoing learning and development, Neami has reviewed and improved its Induction and Orientation program for new staff, developed targeted training, and further developed its Leadership Development Program. Alongside this, Neami’s Service Development team has supported the implementation of the Collaborative Recovery Model across all Neami services. Neami’s Research Committee is hard at work developing a range of activities, from outcome measures, to consumer participation, to checking our fidelity with the Collaborative Recovery Model.
4. A well regarded organisation
Neami has a distinguished reputation, and is highly regarded nationally by the NGO Mental Health Sector, the mental health clinical sector, and the community-housing sector. Neami is a member of VICSERV Committee of Management in Victoria, the Mental Health Coordinating Council of NSW, and the Mental Health Coalition of South Australia.
5. An organisation that values its staff
Neami’s teamwork is vibrant, reflective and challenging at service delivery, management and Board level – the culture at Neami fosters a supportive and welcoming work environment, and a passion for its core work of providing support and rehabilitation services to people with a severe and enduring mental illness. As well as providing an attractive work environment, Neami provides a range of exceptional employment conditions, from paid maternity/parental leave, to gratis and long service leave, to very generous salary packaging options for every staff member.