Current Scheme Implementation and Forecasting for the NDIS

Submission 40

Inquiry into the implementation, performance, and governance of the

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Acknowledgment

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we live, work, and walk.

Introduction

The Northern Territory Mental Health Coalition (the Coalition) is the peak body for community run mental health organisations (CMOs) in the Northern Territory (NT). The Coalition welcomes the opportunity to offer input into the inquiry into the implementation, performance, and governance of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). However, due to the short timeframe the Coalition will be offering this statement in respect to the interim report in lieu of a more detailed submission which will be submitted by the deadline for the final report in February 2022.

For further information or clarification, please contact Policy Officer, via phone 08 8948 2246

The Coalition acknowledges that this statement is framed within the psychosocial perspective and takes a broad view of the implementation, performance, and governance of the NDIS.

The NDIS marks a paradigm shift in the delivery of disability service and the societal perception of people living with a disability. Concerning people living with a psychosocial disability, the Coalition acknowledges that the original conception of the NDIS did not include people with a psychosocial disability.

Notwithstanding the importance of the NDIS and acknowledging that it is a new, vast, and unprecedented scheme, there are areas of improvement which can be made.

The lack of cross-sector coordination between important stakeholders National Disability Insurance Agency, State/Territory Governments and the Federal Government has resulted in would-be participants falling through the cracks of a fragmented system. An integrated whole of systems approach is needed if we are to rectify an ambiguous and disconnect system. This is the case for psychosocial supports where there is so much ambiguity as to who is responsible for what.

Current Scheme Implementation and Forecasting for the NDIS

Submission 40

There has been noted difficulty for people to navigate and access the system, specifically referring to

people accessing psychosocial supports. The Coalition notes the recent proposed legislation and rule

changes which aim to make this easier, however the Northern Territory is subject to unique and

added difficulties in comparison to other states and territories such as its significant composition of

rural, remote and regional communities and its Aboriginal population.

The pricing structure of the NDIS means that the quality of services to be delivered is fractured and

for services to be viable they must casualise their staff and cut middle management. This in turn

lowers the quality of services and reduces oversight. Becoming an NDIS provider does not make

good business sense which is why has pulled out. This has a flow on effect to the

participant, lessening the quality of staff who are employed on a casual basis. There is little

sustainability in terms of capacity building for the participant as well as the services. Large amounts

of funds are being used for cleaning with no recovery outcomes. The importance of

promoting a person-centred and recovery orientated service is paramount to providing a sustainable

scheme. The current funding model does not support this.