Gellibrand Support Services (Gellibrand) is pleased to have the opportunity to provide our perspective on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Bill currently before parliament. Gellibrand has been in operation since 1979. Gellibrand provides support to people with a disability, to pursue meaningful outcomes and improve their quality of life. The services include people living: Within Gellibrand managed homes (this includes shared accommodation and individual accommodation) Independently within the community At home with family member/s Within other shared accommodation services eg: nursing homes, supported residential services
The NDIS Bill has the potential to be a significant step forward in making access to services clearer and simpler for people with disabilities. For the scheme to be successful, Gellibrand believes that there needs to be sufficient funds, appropriate safeguards and increases to the capacity of existing services.
Recommendation 1 The NDIS legislation should be more explicit about providing safeguards for participants who do not have the capacity to make decisions independently. Ensuring the participant has the greatest possible involvement in the decision making process and that all decisions are made in the participant’s best interests should be fundamental components of a nominees role. Greater clarity is required on how decisions for the appointment of nominees are made, the scope nominees have for executing their role and the accountability of nominees. Protection against conflict of interest in the planning process, the service provision and the management of funds must be robust. These safeguards should be the same regardless of the participant’s context or needs.
Recommendation 2 Gellibrand supports the requirements for registration of service providers. We would support efforts to move toward a single national accreditation for service providers as this would increase consistency, quality and productivity.
Recommendation 3 To “enable people with disability to exercise choice and control in the pursuit of their goals” is one of the objects of the legislation. For the NDIS to provide real choices for participants, real choices need to be available. There is a shortage of placements for supported accommodation services in Victoria. Without building capacity in this area we will not be able to provide participants with real choices.
The Board
Gellibrand Support Services
24 Withers St
Sunshine VIC 3020
Gellibrand Support Services agrees to make this letter available to the public.