Submission by Michel Hansen on behalf of Making Connections Together Date: 10 August 2017
As part of the committee’s inquiry into the implementation, performance and governance of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), the committee will inquire into and report on the transitional arrangements for the NDIS, with particular reference to:
- the boundaries and interface of NDIS service provision, and other non-NDIS service provision, with particular reference to health, education and transport services;
a. The NDIS has limited understanding of the impact the scheme has had on the provision of NDIS services. The NDIS believe that services are still active however they are not as they have lost at least 85% of their clients because of the NDIS and no longer can offer services
b. A collaborative approach is not encouraged by the NDIS. For the NDIS it is either NDIS or Mainstream.
- the consistency of NDIS plans and delivery of NDIS and other services for people with disabilities across Australia;
a. There is no consistency between plans or how planners interpret the legislation and guidelines. The most concerning issues is that each state and territory chose how the NDIS is implemented rather than being a national implementation
b. Many clients/participants do not receive consistent information from the NDIS and now this is occurring with Feros Care in the ACT.
c. Little or no understanding of mental illness. This leads to inappropriate conversations with clients. For example telling a client that as they are on medication they are now well and don’t need support. No understand that a baseline for one client is different.
d. Unrealistic expectations of what a client can/will be able to do on their own. Capacity is assessed in simple terms as is considered to be the same for all.
- The rollout of the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building Program a. The Rollout again has been state and territory based which has cause a lot of difficulties. Australia is a country of Border States and this is definitely for the ACT which is no more than 45 minutes from NSW in any direction.
b. The capacity building aspect of the NDIS is not being utilised and plans do not allow for this on any practicable level.
c. Providers have their hands tied by Third Party Verification which is excessive for small businesses. For border towns this limits what providers can do
d. APHRA registered profession have easy access to registration where providers such as social workers take months to be registered for a category
e. Conflicting information to providers leads to inappropriate service provisions at times
- Any other related matters. a. Legislation is relayed differently by each person in the organisation this is from the delegate down to reception staff.
b. No consistency in understanding the individual. If someone is outside of the ‘norm’ for someone with a particular diagnosis this is not accepted
c. No compassion or empathy for the participants
d. Support Coordination is considered irrelevant after the first 12 months of a plan. However there are many people who will never be able to manage their supports on their own.
e. Lack of Choice and Control for clients who want to continue with a support coordinator.
f. Case Management needs to be a support category under Coordination of Supports as many clients need this.
g. Advocacy needs to be included – as a social worker I believe that supporting a client with their choice and control is a form of advocacy. However I have been informed that if this is what I am to do for clients under support coordination. I have been told I will leave myself open to investigation by the NDIS.
h. Social Work services need to be a category as well as this will enable more scope for working with a client then under the Therapy budget which is for therapy only.
i. Clients are not fully informed and when adding information to assist the client it is not appreciated by the planner. For example the COAG agreement was mentioned and the client was informed that they could not use the NDIS for something in particular. I advised of the exception to this in the agreement and that we had the information to ask for the exemption.
j. Clients are traumatised by their experiences with planners and the NDIS. They will then not engage with the NDIS and this often means that they do not utilise their plans. This leads to the NDIS believing they do not need to have a plan which is not the case. There is no ability to fight this without a support coordinator which is often denied (support coordination) by the NDIS which means the cycle continues
k. There is minimal understanding of mental health issues for clients and the impact on their lives when well and unwell. There is no understanding of acute episodes of a mental illness within the diagnosis.
l. LAC advise clients that NDIS will not give Support Coordination. The LAC will not request support coordination in a plan that is submitted for approval
Please be aware that due to work commitments this is a very basic submission. I have serious concerns for the impact of the untrained and uncaring NDIS staff in relation to my clients and all NDIS Participants. To the NDIS it is B&W and this is not reality for NDIS Participants.
I am always happy to discuss further and I believe the NDIS is a great scheme on paper however the implementation is letting people down.
Thank you