New Data Shows Disability Providers Under Extreme Pressure To Deliver Contracted Support

New data shows disability service providers are
struggling to meet demands for their services, and over a
third are operating at a loss, meaning there are no
guarantees for disabled New Zealanders seeking
support.

A December New Zealand Disability Service
Network member survey showed:

• 61% receive
  requests for support they can’t meet
• 64% say they
  will struggle to provide their contracted services at the
  current rate of funding
• 33% made a loss in the 22/23
  financial year

Alarmingly, over half of
providers surveyed said it was extremely or moderately
difficult to recruit support workers in 2023.

“This
data shows a fundamental imbalance between the demand for
services and providers struggling to provide them,” said
NZDSN CEO Peter Reynolds. “This is a sector under extreme
pressure to provide the support disabled people
need.”

“Many disabled New Zealanders can’t
access the support needed now because providers simply
don’t have the staff or capacity to offer it. If these
trends of debt and recruitment challenges continue, we’ll
see services being scaled back or worse, with service
providers giving up and shutting down.”

NZDSN says
these figures show the effect of disability support funding
effectively falling behind inflation by 24% over the last
ten years, and that urgent action is needed to turn the
situation around.

“Our members are dealing with
uncertainty of future funding, and no clarity on two Pay
Equity claims,” said Peter Reynolds.

“We need a
clear plan for providers not just surviving but thriving,
and becoming capable of recruiting and retaining workers who
are paid fairly for these demanding but vital, rewarding
roles. Only then will disabled New Zealanders and their
families be reassured they’ll receive the quality support
they need and
deserve.”

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