Diversity & Community
Discover the people who make us who we are
What Sets ECH Apart
We’re here to support your independence, enabling you to live your best life as you age.
We’re driven by shared goals.
South Australians have long been recognised for their forward-thinking spirit, and so since our foundation in 1964, ECH has established itself as a highly respected and trusted provider of care services in South Australia.
Born out of a desire to enable people to live their best lives as they age, ECH evolved to become a cornerstone of support for older South Australians.
ECH initiatives focus on empowerment, community connection, and proactive well-being, reflecting our commitment to enhancing the lives of those we serve.
What sets ECH apart from other providers?
We embrace diversity
ECH is highly committed to being inclusive of all people. ECH is constantly tailoring its services to reach diverse social groups, such as culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and people living with a disability. ECH both celebrates and embraces diversity. ECH is a non-faith-based organisation and welcomes people from all religious backgrounds.
We are dementia friendly
ECH is committed to understanding and meeting the specific needs of people living with dementia or memory loss, as well as supporting their carers and families.
Dementia Australia has recognised ECH for its ongoing efforts to develop and use dementia-friendly approaches to its services, physical environments and staff training.
We stand by our Reconciliation Action Plan.
ECH is proud to be an inclusive organisation and is committed to the continued reconciliation, capacity building and support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.
In 2020, a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) – Reflect was developed to guide the work ECH is undertaking with the many Aboriginal communities we work with. In further support of our commitment to continued reconciliation, we launched the second stage of our RAP – Innovate in 2022. The RAP- Innovate outlines our actions and the work which goes towards achieving our unique vision for reconciliation.
We have our Rainbow Tick.
ECH became the first South Australian aged care provider to receive a Rainbow Tick Accreditation, recognising our commitment to celebrating diversity and providing services for the LGBTI community.
Rainbow Tick Accreditation is given to organisations that meet six national standards of inclusive practice and service delivery for LGBTI clients.
The accreditation demonstrates to current and future ECH clients, as well as ECH employees, the commitment ECH makes to being a safe and inclusive space. ECH offers a range of tailored services for the LGBTI community, including the LGBTI Connect service, and undertakes culturally sensitive training for employees.
We have defined new benchmarks.
ECH has embarked on a new long-term strategy to transform the discourse, mindset, and actions surrounding the ageing process, and is determined to lead the industry in quality standards.
Awards:
- Readers Digest Quality Service Award: Winning this award acknowledged the outstanding work of our team, and acknowledged that it takes a special person to work in aged care – someone who is caring and passionate about making a real difference.
- 2024 National Retirement Living Awards: Winning this award for “Encore”, a vertical retirement village featuring 77 two-bedroom independent living apartments and incorporating a Montessori Early Learning Centre on the ground floor for intergenerational interaction, addressed a vital aspect of ageing gracefully at any stage. This integration created a wonderful community of ‘Grandfriends’ for our younger community members, with residents involved in the day-to-day life and learning within the shared community spaces.
Policies:
In order to drive and deliver on the purpose “to be an enterprise that promotes self-determination and enables people to have the best life possible as they age”, and to ensure alignment with the Aged Care Quality Framework, ECH has eight (8) core policies:
- Consumer Dignity Autonomy and Choice Policy
- Care and Service Management Policy
- Delivering Personal and or Clinical Care Policy
- Delivering Lifestyle Services and Supports Policy
- Service Environment Policy
- Feedback and Complaints Management Policy
- People and Culture Policy
- Operational Governance Policy
Accreditations:
- ECH is proud to have been the first South Australian independent village operator to attain Quality Innovation Performance (QIP) accreditation; meeting the standards set by the International Retirement Community Accreditation Scheme. These standards include high levels of safety and quality, good governance, environmental sustainability and a genuine commitment to continuous quality improvement across all retirement villages.
- ECH retirement villages Warradale Estate, Penneys Hill Estate and Encore Apartments are the only independent retirement villages in South Australia to be awarded the Liveable Housing Design Australia (LHA) Gold Accreditation. LHA awards builders and designers that provide truly liveable homes that respond to the changing needs of people now and into the future. It is testament to the expertise ECH has within its team, and for our ability to define new benchmarks in retirement living design.
Interested in learning more about ECH?
Get in touch today.
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