Looking forward - our new Strategic Plan

Beth Davidson Park (Chair) & Nicole Sykes (CEO)

Over the past six months, the estara team has been doing important work to define our next steps and set a clear direction for the future.

We are pleased to share what that work has involved and where we are headed together.

It is important to acknowledge, like many organisations in the disability sector the past few years have been challenging for estara, we have navigated significant reform alongside ongoing financial pressures.

This strategic plan has been developed through extensive consultation and alongside a comprehensive review of how estara operates. That review was necessary to ensure we are using our resources wisely and are positioned to operate in a financially sustainable way as the disability sector continues to change.

We know this pathway will involve some difficult decisions. These will be values‑led decisions, made carefully and responsibly, to strengthen estara so we can continue delivering safe, high‑quality services to the people we support now and into the future.

This work positions us to move forward with clarity and confidence.

Introducing our 2026–2030 Strategy

We are pleased to share estara’s new Strategic Plan for 2026–2030.

Building on more than 60 years of expertise, the strategy sets a clear direction for estara’s future. At its core, it reflects who we are and what matters most, empowering people and their communities to adapt and thrive, and ensuring we remain a trusted provider of specialist disability support in South Australia.

The strategy is practical, focused and sustainable. It recognises the environment we operate in today, while clearly articulating the role estara will continue to play in the lives of the people we support.

It has been shaped by those who matter most, our clients, members, lived‑experience voices and our team. We thank everyone who attended workshops, shared feedback and contributed ideas throughout this process.

The strategy also provides clarity of purpose for our team and introduces a refreshed set of values that guide how we work with one another, with our clients and with our partners.

What this means in practice

Our strategy identifies four focus areas that will guide our work over the next four years.

Delivering person‑centred, sustainable services

We will continue to design and deliver services around what matters most to the people we support, drawing on our expertise to offer integrated, reliable supports that are accessible and sustainable over the long term.

Strengthening service excellence and specialist leadership

We will build on our strengths in spinal cord injury and neurological disability by strengthening clinical pathways, embedding co‑design, and partnering with clinical, research and academic organisations to continually improve outcomes.

Investing in our people and organisational capability

Our people are central to our success. We will invest in a values‑aligned culture that supports, equips and connects our workforce to deliver quality services.

Building integrated systems and continuous improvement

We will modernise systems and ways of working to improve access, efficiency and outcomes, using data to inform our decisions and support continuous improvement and keep pace with changing needs.

A stronger, more connected estara

Connection underpins everything we do.

We will strengthen how we engage with our clients, members, staff and partners by listening, co‑designing and responding more effectively. This is critical to improving services and ensuring estara continues to grow in a way that reflects the communities we serve.

Our values will continue to guide us, acting ethically, working stronger together, remaining quality‑driven and solution‑focused in all we do.

Looking forward

We are optimistic about what lies ahead. Not because the road will be easy, but because we now have a clear plan, a strong team and a shared commitment to building a sustainable future for estara.

We will continue to navigate change thoughtfully, transparently and with integrity and we will do it with you, not just for you.

Thank you for your trust in estara. We look forward to building the next chapter together.

You can see the strategy on the links below:

Beth Davidson-Park
Chair

Nicole Sykes
Chief Executive Officer