Spectrum Care had its roots in Mangere Hospital. The focus at that time was on providing for people whose intellectual disability was sufficiently severe that care at home with relatives was not a viable option.

In these instances, parents were encouraged to allow Mangere Hospital to assume responsibility for the care of the person.

Without exposure to the community, the people at Mangere Hospital generally didn't have the opportunity to develop and learn the social skills and tools of everyday living, ie they became institutionalised.

During the late 1980s, major reforms swept through Europe, North America and Canada and, by 1990, these reforms had reached New Zealand.

Mangere Hospital was the first institution in New Zealand to convert to community living. The change was completed by 1994 and now all people supported by Spectrum Care have had at least 10 years in the community, some longer.

Spectrum Care now supports almost 400 people living in 80 residential houses in the greater Auckland and Waikato regions. The majority of these service users live in an urban environment, averaging five people per home.

Staffing levels vary depending on the requirements of the people in each house. In the adult residential service, there is generally a minimum of two people providing support at any given time.

This support is available around the clock on a three-shift basis, with one person generally ‘sleeping over’ with the people overnight.

In houses where children and young people live, the staffing levels are usually higher and are planned around what is required to provide a safe and satisfying home life.