About IDEA Services

IDEA Services Limited is an IHC community service. Its mission is to empower people to live, learn, work and enjoy life in the community. IDEA Services was set up in March 2005 to take over services previously provided by IHC. It remains part of IHC in terms of governance and senior management, fundraising, property, and organisational support functions.

IDEA Services supports the vision of an ordinary life for people with intellectual disabilities. Working in partnership with families, it supports people to live much like anyone else – having a choice over where they live and work, enjoying opportunities to develop and making decisions on everyday matters.

IDEA Services provides residential services for approximately 2600 people, vocational services for 4500 people, including work and community-based options, family/whanau services for 1500 people and specialist behaviour support, communication and health advisory services.

People using IDEA Services:

can use the IHC library and information service
can contact IHC advocacy
can participate in internal audits or key points teams
don’t have to be members of IHC
have to be a member if they want to stand for their local IHC branch committee

Management and governance structure

As part of IHC, IDEA Services senior staff report to the chief executive who, in turn, reports to the Board of IHC. The Board is appointed by the New Zealand Council, made up of the presidents of local branch committees and regional self-advocate representatives. Any member of IHC can stand for a branch committee. Membership is open to parents, family members, people using services and any other interested people.

IDEA Services has two regional general managers, who are based in Christchurch and Auckland. They are responsible for vocational, residential and supported living services.

Area managers report to the regional managers and are responsible for the services in their area. They manage services, finances, staff, and local relationships with Needs Assessment and Service Co-ordination agencies (NASCs) and other agencies.

A general manager is responsible for Family/Whanau services throughout New Zealand. For information on foster care, contract board, respite care including school holiday programmes and home support, click here to get to IDEA Family/Whanau Services.

Our link to IHC

IDEA Services takes over one of IHC’s two very different and important roles. IHC will continue to advocate for the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities, while IDEA Services will focus on delivering support services.