Editor’s note: This story has since been updated. A more recent version is available: Staff Break Silence After Somerville NDIS Provider’s Collapse
A Somerville-based disability services provider, CJ Castle Care & Support Pty Ltd, has gone into external administration, leaving staff and clients across the Mornington Peninsula uncertain about their future.
ASIC records confirm that the company, registered in November 2021, is now under external administration.
The NDIS Service was operated by Somerville businessman Richard Ingram, who is also behind the Arcadia Sports and Recreation facility in Hastings. While Arcadia remains open, it is unclear whether it will be affected by the collapse of CJ Castle Care.
CJ Castle Care’s Sudden shutdown
The CJ Castle Care website currently displays only a “coming soon” message, and the company’s social media pages have been deleted. Even Mr Ingram’s personal LinkedIn profile has been removed.
STPL News contacted Mr Ingram for comment, but he declined to respond.
Staff and clients impacted
Several online comments have alleged that staff are owed unpaid wages and superannuation, although these claims remain unverified. STPL News encourages any affected workers to contact their relevant union. Depending on employment arrangements, this may include the Health and Community Services Union (HACSU), the United Workers Union, or the Australian Services Union.
Options available
Those left without work or care can seek immediate assistance. In a post across multiple social media channels, Kerryn Walsh from Amity Care Services, based in Somerville, has offered to connect displaced staff with new roles and provide urgent support for NDIS participants left without services.
Ms Walsh said she has nurses available to step in if any participants are left unsupported. Amity Care can be contacted on 1800 426 489.
There are many of us staff who worked for CJ CASTLE owned by RICHARD INGRAM who can VERIFY the thousand upon thousands of lost wages and superannuation owed and has been for over a year in some cases. Clients NDIS money spent unethically depleting these funds. I could write a novel. If you need more assistance I’m sure myself and the other staff can chat to you.
I left in April due to treatment of staff and clients and no superannuation paid since September.When I questioned him I was bullied.I left and was told I was unable to see clients or staff.This has been coming for a while and he has lied constantly.Arcadia should not be aloud to run when he owes us all our superannuation.Poor staff who cared and the families he was suppose to support
This guy Richard was ripping off peoples NDIS account for years and we sacked him. Thank god he finally got caught out he was a bully and very arrogant to deal with. If your looking for a caring honest person contact Shane Budak from Budak Care he was fantastic