Does the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) effectively support National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants who require assistance with daily life?

In some ways it does, I can from my daughters plan that she gets most thing she needs within the community. There a few sticking points which is preventing my daughter from having a really good life.

Housing,
Staff ratios, and
Travel Funding.

Housing is still lacking for many disabled that need 24/7 care, and they are still bundled into group home, with many incompatible people. Each state should be supporting the NDIS to provide extra funding for more compatible homes. SDA housing is needed much more than the NDIS is currently approving recipients. The fact that most people with 23/4 care are bundled into group homes, there is a less ratio of staff,during peak times, such as in the morning when most residents are trying to get ready for their day activities. This is causing stress among residents. Staff turnover is horrendous. This is breaking hearts from many residents, who grow to depend on theirsupport workers.No matter how much money is attributed to the core funding for clients, there never seems tobe enough travel funding, to facilitate going to places, especially in WA. We are always tryingscrimp and save so they can go the places they love to go.

Does the NDIA effectively manage operational risks to the proper use of resources inadministering assistance with daily life supports?

I don’t think they do, however this is only from my observations from news articles abouthow some providers are set up and appear to rob funds from clients, that don’t exist. Mostcertainly the NDIS needs to reform the provider registration, who they pay, how they pay, especially getting sign off from clients, that the work done was satisfactory. In everyday life,we don’t usually pay for something that is not completed, whether it be home modifications, or other services. Having that extra process of the legitimate client signingoff, and more monitoring of the providers, hopefully will lessen the fraudsters.

Do the NDIA’s communications help providers and participants understand assistance withdaily life supports?

Think about all the ways the NDIA communicates with you, for example letters andthe NDIS website. Does this help you understand what assistance with daily lifemeans for you?

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Simply NO.

We find that people who are very experienced such as Support Coordinators are much more reliable for information on how to use the supports. The only time we have contact with NDI$ is usually by phone, with someone that has NO experience in what is needed. Communications using monthly newsletters, only provide a nice snapshot of NDIS, and not the real picture. I find more information about the NDIS, especially when there are policy changes via DSC (Disability Services Consultant)

Do you know how to use that part of your plan?

Having my daughter been on her plan now for around 4years,

we are mostly aware of what we can spend, from the Plan. There are times when I still need to talk to our support coordinator to verify some things.

Is the NDIA effectively supporting participants in the planning stage of assistance with daily life?

Did you have enough support when you were talking with a planner or local area coordinator about what you need to help you with your daily life?

Currently, Absolutely ZILCH. We did have a wonderful planner about two plans ago, who worked for the NDIS (not a contractor), who made our lives so much easier. I could ring her if I had problems, or queries, and we had a good relationship. Now the people we have spoken on the phone, know stuff all about my daughter, and including some of the NDI$ policies, which we’ve had to endure. Some can barely speak fluent English, and have strong accents, which I can’t understand on the phone. We are coming up to another full Review, and I still have no idea who will be our Planner. It is vitally important that if we are to continue to really on the NDIS, that we have a dedicated planner, who knows what they are doing. We definitely want a proper Face-to-Face meetings. I’m sick of WA being treated like another country, why can’t we have people who approve plans in WA, this will make the process much faster than currently.

Did you get advice about your NDIS plan and what it included?

We did after our first year, with one of your lovely lady, we had for two years who was with NDIA (not contractor), she was brilliant , since then. ZILCH.

Is the NDIA effectively supporting participants in the implementation stage of assistance with daily life?

Did you have enough support to start using your assistance with daily life funding?

Only at the beginning of the our journey with NDIS, we’ve had nothing since. We rely on our support coordinator for any assistance.

Did you get advice about how to find providers?
1. We already had our supports in place in WA, using a Local Area Coordinator, (Not NDIS contractor) which we get to know and they come to our home and assist us.

Are you aware of conflicts of interest relating to assistance with daily life supports?

NOTE: A conflict of interest may mean a planner who has a family member working for a particular provider. It may mean one provider saying they will be your support coordinator and will also provide all your assistance with daily life supports.

Do you think the NDIA manages conflict of interest related to assistance with daily life supports?

We’ve never experienced that, no conflicts of interest at all. Not really able to answer this one. I do note that some of our therapy services come from the same SIL supporter, however as longs as they are doing the job to my satisfaction then I’m happy. If that changes, then I will move to other therapist, especially behaviour support, which is very much needed because of the current living situation.

Do you have any concerns about conflict of interest?

No concerns at this moment.