The future of Bedford, South Australia’s largest disability service provider, is uncertain after it announced it will be placed into voluntary administration. 

The organisation, which has operated for 80 years and employs hundreds of people with disabilities, cited unsustainable financial challenges despite extensive negotiations with both state and federal governments. 

The likely entry into voluntary administration is scheduled for Sunday.

The announcement has triggered uncertainty for the 1400 people with disabilities across the state who rely on Bedford’s services. 

Workers have told 9News they see it as a vital social hub, and are hoping for a miracle so it can continue to operate.

Don Kearvell, whose daughter Alice has worked at Bedford since leaving high school, is deeply worried about the impending move into administration. 

“It’s going to be dramatic, not just for Alice, for anyone like her,” he said. 

“It’s self-esteem, it’s self-worth, she bounds out of bed every morning to go to work.”

For many people employed by Bedford, there are limited alternatives.

“She can’t, there’s no room in open employment for people like Alice,” Kearvell said.

“I would pay Bedford to have Alice come here.”

The organisation issued a statement from its chief executive, who said the “magnitude of challenges faced to stay financially sustainable remain complex to navigate and unprofitable for organisations”.

In a letter seen by 9News, Bedford says the state government needs the Commonwealth to fund at least half of the money to remain operational, and it won’t.

9News asked the federal government for a response, but it had no details about future funding. 

Premier Peter Malinauskas will meet with Bedford tomorrow.