PARLIMENTARY COMMITTEE NDIS REVIEW - - - SUPPORTED INDEPENDENT LIVING
A) Brief summary B) Service Stipulations Presented to Potential SIS Provider C) Sample of “Written” Refusal Notifications from Providers RE: Call for a serious investigation into paid employment under the NDIS for the Participants family and prior care network members.
Request made with the knowledge of CRITICAL SHORTAGES of qualified, experienced Disability Support Workers to care for Complex Participants.
Case History:
A) I am Brian Stanton, NDIS Nominee and the father of , classified with Complex disabilities. has an NDIS package of just short of $600,000 p/a, and has been in Supported Accommodation (now SDA house) since December 2017. current SIL Provider stated in late 2018, that they could no longer adequately care for . So, the SEARCH has been on since that time to FIND a SIL Provider that could actually care for the way that he deserves and needs. During the past 12 months, even though targeted recruiting drives were undertaken, there were only two staff identified to work with ; and these working 48 and 72 hour shifts. [unsustainable]
Multiple alternate SIL Providers were approached in this time, with a sample of the outcomes attached below. THE MAJOR REASON FOR REFUSAL OF SERVICE was that qualified, skilled, and experienced Staff WERE NOT AVAILABLE, and unlikely to be. Here, I am referring to the MAJOR PROVIDERS in Qld. With thousands of NDIS Participants. All were fully aware and concerned by this staffing short-fall, and it was stated that “imported VISA Workers” would be the NDIS of the future. I am also told that Support Workers are being trained in the Philippines to work with the NDIS under VISA employment – This is happening already – Is this what we really want for our Participants?
IMPORTANT NOTE: It is not the fault of the SIL Providers that they DO NOT HAVE adequate numbers of Support Workers, it is simply that the required number, right across the NDIS network, SIMPLY DOES NOT EXIST. I am personally aware of this fact, not just because I have spoken to numerous top level SIL Provider management during our quest; I am also fully employed as a Disability Support Worker, thus I see this critical shortage first-hand.
There is, of course, an answer and a solution to this extreme predicament, that will only get worse. Plus, it would present a “win-win” situation for ALL concerned. There is a massive pool of qualified, trained and experienced workers waiting in the wing, ready to ease this massive burden on the NDIS. However, sadly, to now they have been PUSHED ASIDE, ABANDONED and DISCOUNTED. And perhaps also betrayed! I am obviously talking of the parents, siblings and prior Carers of the majority of NDIS Participants. I am just one of thousands, but take my case: I have looked after my son for almost 30 years in every area of care (the last 12 years at home 24/7) – I alone are the Specialist in his life. Because $600,000 per year does NOT buy the expected quality of care, my wife and I STILL HAVE TO PROVIDE the major input into every area of his life – yet we ARE NOT PERMITTED TO BE PAID BY THE NDIS for the service that $13,000 per F/N CANNOT BUY. In my current NDIS Support Worker employment, I can now earn more in ONE NIGHT than what I received for a whole fortnight from my Carer Payment. I care for seven gentlemen, including complex, in three NDIS homes. I receive payment for looking after other parent’s sons, but cannot be paid for caring for my own son, even though our input is essential. I find this totally unfair and quite discriminatory, hence I humbly request that this whole issue be thoroughly investigated in order to save a crumbling NDIS System; failing for lack of Support Workers.
I will also be presenting a submission directly to the Minister for his attention.
Kind regards, Brian Stanton
B) PUBLISHED and PRESENTED MAY 2019 WANTED: - SIL SERVICE PROVIDER for (Extreme) Complex NDIS Participant –
– Current SDA dwelling in Loganlea Qld.
The following is intended to present basic information and “service provision essentials” to identify SIL Service Providers for further consideration.
We rely on open and honest “two-way” communication, as in real terms lives depend upon getting this right! The following will NOT be detailed and is only intended to give a broad view of unique support requirements. range of disabilities, disorders and behaviours are largely manageable; the major difficulties, risks and dangers present themselves through the range of “extreme behaviours” that can explode forth at any given moment.
personal safety and the safety of those around him is an absolute priority! behavioural history is on record and can be summarised through confusion, frustration, anger, aggression, property damage, self-harm, violence and now assault. Numerous glass doors and windows have been smashed (both at home and in the community) either by throwing rocks and other objects, kicking, punching, head-butting or running into bodily.
presents with a very complex history of disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Resistant
Epilepsy (Lennox Gastaut Syndrome), Intellectual Impairment, Emotional Dysregulation (ED), Bipolar
Affective Disorder, Anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Psychosis, Chronic Insomnia PLUS
Related Severe Behavioural Disorders.
has had a substantial NDIS funding package approved in January 2019, and has had the same Provider in his Loganlea residence since December 2017. current Provider, has decided that they cannot adequately cater to the full gamut of specific and complex care needs, and are looking to transition the support to a new SIL Provider, hopefully to carry on the service at a higher level.
The following is not in any order of priority and is not all-encompassing. No apology is made for demanding and expecting a high-level of support, as lives are in the balance and dependent upon delivering a targeted and strategic model of care.
The new SIL Service Provider would have to fill the following requirements:
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A reputable organisation with long permanence and successful experience in catering to the needs of Extreme and Complex Clients.
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Sound and proven management structure, prepared to lead from the front with full and continued training, communication and support to Workers on the front line.
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Service Provider to be able to “think and operate outside the box.” To be pro-active, imaginative and creative when it comes to overall care and support, especially in developing an interesting and sustainable life-style.
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Prepared and capable of servicing in a semi-rural to rural area if required. Location to be determined once SDA is approved.
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Support workers to be rostered for 24 hour shifts with Sleepovers.
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A recognition that supports are very specialised and that he does need a great team of Support Workers around him who have a solid knowledge and experience of behavioural support based around Autism, Intellectual Impairment, Bipolar disorder, Anxiety, ED, OCD, Resistant Epilepsy (LGS with its range of peculiar seizure types) plus other disorders and disabilities, in order to provide the most responsive and supportive care to at all times, but especially when the worst unexpectedly happens.
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needs a Service Provider that has an active and qualified team of Behaviour Support Specialists who can develop transition plans for new staff entering support team, transitions through change of activities, venues, home and lifestyles to ensure a smooth and hopefully seamless transition through times of change.
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A deep pool of highly trained and suitable “Complex needs Support Workers” is required, PLUS the capacity to manage ongoing recruitment and training of new and replacement Staff. This requirement is based on the historical fact that, at times, has not bonded or connected with even the most capable of Staff. So, be prepared to “burn” even the best of Staff.
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Recognition that even the most suitable Staff may not desire to work with due to his Extreme Complex status and the obvious risks and dangers associated. In the past, “Rap Sheet” has disqualified multiple contenders.
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BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR SUPPORT WORKERS: a) Be of sound character with an open and natural aptitude in being able to relate to and his interests.
b) Have an understanding, respect and acceptance of basic Christian values. c) Basic cooking skills for the preparation of simple meals including BBQ. A strong understanding and application of food safety and hygiene is also essential.
d) Experience in, and a willingness to maintain the house and yard in a clean, hygienic and orderly status is also required of the Workers.
e) A practical, basic technical knowledge of mobile phones, tablets, computers, TVs, Internet, DVD and CD players PLUS being able to troubleshoot these devices in order to avoid incidents when things go wrong, or even appear to go wrong!
f) Trained in “non-aggressive conflict resolution skills,” in order to successfully divert attention and prevent or de-escalate incidents.
g) A full knowledge and understanding of Resistant Epilepsy, especially in regard to LGS with its full range of seizure types and associated behaviours and “first-aid” required.
h) Have a “love” for animals and pets, and be capable of assisting to care for them. We just need to have , and those around him, safe, secure and living a happy and fulfilling life.
Thank you for your interest and attention, and most of all your feedback and considered direction from
here.
C) NDIS SIL PROVIDERS - REJECTIONS OF SERVICE
Dear Mr Stanton
Open Minds has taken the opportunity of reviewing as a potential client.
This review has consisted of assessing our ability to successfully deliver a care framework that is financially viable, clinically and socially appropriate and conducive with the key requirements of a person-centred care model.
At this point in time a decision has been reached that current organisational capacity to provide this level of care for does not exist and as such we are unable to proceed with accepting this referral.
We thank you for the opportunity for us to consider as a client and hope that you find a service that will be the right fit for
AFFORD
Good day Brian,
We would like to thank you for giving us the opportunity to present our support services to you and have the opportunity to see if it would be possible to support in his current residence.
Following discussions between management and team leaders, a decision was made, and unfortunately, it was agreed that we will not be able to provide support services to at this stage.
ENDEAVOUR
Hi Brian,
Hope you are well. Just touching base to let you know that I have met with our NDIS several times since our last email correspondence, and they have concluded that we do not have capacity to provide the support outlined in your request.
Careful consideration of need for staff consistency and maintaining safety practices was taken into account, and unfortunately we do not have a large enough pool of appropriately skilled workers available at this time.
HEALTHCARE AUSTRALIA
Dear Brian,
Thank you very much for your enquiry.Unfortunately, at this point in time, Healthcare Australia (NDIS) does not have the capacity or ability to meet extensive care needs.
UNITING CARE
Dear Brian
Thank you for your comprehensive email request for SIL for . Uniting Care regrets to inform you that due to significant staffing capacity challenges we are unable to provide SIL supports to