Collective Support Services

Some breaking news this morning …

The Minister for the NDIS Stuart Robert has released the government’s response to the Tune review.

Just in case you have forgotten (because it already feels like a hundred years ago thanks to COVID) …

Last year Mr David Tune conducted a review into the NDIS Act. Not the whole kit and caboodle of the NDIS, but just what needed to change in the Act.

And even though it was just supposed to be about the NDIS Act, Mr Tune made a bunch of sensible, practical recommendations about a whole lot of things – like the need for simple and clear language to explain key NDIS terms like “reasonable and necessary”.

Things like greater flexibility in how you can use your NDIS funds. And outreach and support for people who are really missing out – like First Nations people with disability or people from a culturally and linguistically diverse background.

And the good news is that the government appears to have accepted all the recommendations except for two – and those they have accepted “in principle”. That’s government speak for “we’re kinda on board but we need to hedge our bets for a few reasons”.

Great to see acceptance - now for making them happen!

And the Minister also announced the release of the Participant Service Charter and the Participant Service Improvement Plan (mouthfuls we know).

Those two documents do two things. The Charter outlines the way participants can expect the NDIA to behave when it works with them. And the Plan outlines all the work the NDIA will do over the next two years to improve people’s experience of the scheme.

Really critical things like introducing longer plans and greater flexibility in how you can use your NDIS funds.

But amongst all the other things there was one part of the announcement that did catch our eye.

The Minister also announced that from next year the NDIA will fund independent assessment for people applying to enter the scheme. And then later in the year for people having plan reviews at critical life points – like leaving school or leaving home.

There is not a lot of detail about that one. We know that lots of you are worried about what those assessments will mean for you.

We do want the NDIS to be fair and consistent. And people shouldn’t have to pay for expensive reports that may or may not hit the mark.

But the most important thing of ALL - we need to make sure that people get the support they desperately need.

As with all of these things the devil is always in the detail.

There was a lot of information released today so we are working our way through it - so stay tuned (no pun intended).

👉 In the meantime you can read the announcement here – https://ministers.dss.gov.au/media-releases/6156

👉 You can read the government's response here - https://www.dss.gov.au/disability-and-carers-programs-services-for-people-with-disability-national-disability-insurance-scheme-2019-review-of-the-ndis-act-and-the-new-ndis-participant-service-guarantee/government-response-to-the-ndis-act-review

👉 You can read some media coverage here - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-28/ndis-disability-sector-government-proposed-reforms/12602432

👉 The Participant Service Charter is here - https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/policies/service-charter

👉 The Participant Service Improvement Plan is here - https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/policies/service-charter/participant-service-improvement-plan

👉 And if you want to go back and have a look at the Tune review again you can find it here - https://www.dss.gov.au/disability-and-carers-programs-services-for-people-with-disability-national-disability-insurance-scheme/2019-review-of-the-ndis-act-and-the-new-ndis-participant-service-guarantee

👉 Or our summary here - https://everyaustraliancounts.com.au/singing-to-the-same-old-tune-ndis-tune-review-report-released/

👉 The NDIA and Minister have released a few short videos this morning. You can find them all here - https://everyaustraliancounts.com.au/big-ndis-changes-are-coming-government-and-ndis-response-to-the-tune-review/



(Image description: A red rectangle with the words "Breaking News" in white capital letters. Underneath the words you can see the Every Australian Counts logo and the words "NDIS: Make It Work)

Psychosocial Recovery Coaching. New to the NDIS and a much needed support to many Australians. Psychosocial Recovery Coaching has emerged as the NDIS realised that more needed to be done to assist those living with a psychosocial disability to live a full and quality life.

Psychosocial recovery coaches are people who have either lived experience or formal qualifications. The support provided by psychosocial recovery coaches is designed to foster hope, build capacity and resilience through strong and respectful relationships. Communication is the key, not only with the person but also with families and other services. The goal is to work collaboratively with everyone to identify, plan, design and coordinate supports.

So what do psychosocial recovery coaches do?
A recovery coach will ensure people understand their NDIS plan, and will help build the skills needed to manage their plan. This might also include connection with supports, services and the community. To achieve this, a recovery coach needs to understand a person's goals and actions that can be taken to achieve this goals. They also need to provide feedback and help the person reflect on where they have come from and where they want to be.

Funding for psychosocial recovery coaching will be included in selected NDIS plans from July 1, 2020. Please feel free to contact us for more information.