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WHATS HAPPENING AT FACILITRADE NDIS
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NDIS NEWS
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Q & A
WHATS HAPPENING AT FACILITRADE NDIS
We bring to you more NDIS news which includes audit process for success.
ANOTHER NDIS AUDIT WITH 100% SUCCESS!
We took Cosmic Health Care through the application of their policies and service delivery standards to comply with the NDIS audit provisions. We followed this by intensive compliance training and an internal audit. Three months later, further supported them by being present at the audit.
No dreaded “non-compliance” issues were noted and Cosmic has come out with flying colours. The auditor commended the two directors. The directors have 13 years of combined experience working with the Mental Health Unit at NSW Health and clinical knowledge of working with one of Australia’s largest aged and disability care service providers.
It shows that having comprehensive policies, procedures, forms, registers, and easy-read documents and thoroughly understanding them proves dividends in NDIS audits. Congrats team Cosmic!
They will be launching their services initially in the Hills District of NSW and gradually moving into the rest of the state. You can reach them at http://cosmichealthcare.com.au.
A WELCOME INCREASE OF WOMEN ON BOARDS
The Governance Institute of Australia, of which I am a member, advises that there’s been a surge in the number of women in the boardroom by 60% in the last five years! You can read about the growth stats over the 5 years in the Board Diversity Index 2021.
What is the number of women in the boardroom in your disability service organisation? Let’s see where we stand in the NDIS sector – do respond as I think we’d be above average, just going by the board make up of my clients.
Once we confirm that we rank high in the NDIS sector, we can brag about at least one thing, in an industry which is usually under a lot of attack!
NDIS NEWS
YOUNG PEOPLE WANT BETTER SUPPORT TO BE INDEPENDENT
The Disability Royal Commission interviewed young people with disability in a virtual session held in collaboration with Children and Young People with a Disability Australia (CYDA) earlier this year. They learnt that young people with disability are experts in their own experiences and what needs to change. Here’s what the interviewees said, which as disability service providers we should incorporate in to our policies, organisation culture and attitudes:
- The transition from education to employment for young people with disability is an area that needs vast improvement
- Being able to move out of home and to be independent is important and that they need the right kind of support for this.
- Community attitudes and inclusion was important to them. They shared personal experiences of ‘ableism’. (Ableism refers to attitudes and behaviours that favour ability and devalue people with disability.)
The young people had a deep understanding of systemic issues, how people perceived them and how stigma contributes to their individual experiences.
They had some amazing recommendations for change. The Royal Commission expects more submissions from interviewees about their ideas for change and I will share these with you when they are available.
PEOPLE FROM CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS STRUGGLE TO GET NDIS ASSISTANCE
Do you know that of nearly half a million people currently on NDIS, less than 10% are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (CALD)? 
This is less than half the 20% participation rate projected by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), in its 2018 CALD Strategy. This group of people could be Australians from a variety of countries of origin or Aboriginal and Territory people.
CALD communities are missing out on NDIS support due to:
- Cultural barriers in that prevent them from coming forward for assistance
- Considered a stigma to be labelled as a person with disability
- Communication constraints and language barriers
- Courage required to seek support
- Complexity of the NDIS Scheme
Read ABC News article for some examples of how some people have struggled to obtain NDIS services to reach final outcomes.
The government has recognised these barriers and is developing a refreshed strategy, including CALD participants, families, carers and the NDIS sector. So, look out for some relief in 2022 when this new strategy is said to be launched.
In the meantime, those of us operating in the NDIS space can also assist. I encourage each one of you to help by:
- Creating greater awareness and understanding in these communities about disability and helping them to overcome the stigma
- Educating them on the opportunities available
- Introducing to aspiring participants interpreters who have matching language skills so that these people can make an informed decision
- Having more culturally skilled support workers to help access and understand the NDIS system on an ongoing basis.
- A useful source to approach is the Australian Migrant Resource Centre (AMRC) which has trialed using culturally competent support workers and has had great results.
Q & A
Q: What’s the difference between the NDIS Worker Orientation and Worker Screening?
A: Two requirements by NDIS that are being easily confused – let’s clarify this:
The Worker Orientation Module called ‘Quality, Safety and You’ is an online interactive exercise to assist all NDIS workers to better support people with disability. It has four modules and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. Once completed, workers will receive a Certificate of Completion. During the module, workers are encouraged to consider and respond to different scenarios in the context of supporting a person with disability. This exercise is free of charge. Click here to access: NDIS Worker Orientation Module
The NDIS Worker Screening Check is a new, national check launched in early 2021 that assesses if a person who works with people with disability poses any risk to them. It is now live across Australia. You can apply online via Worker Screening.
The applicant has 2 weeks to visit a Service NSW centre after completing application. Pricing varies from state to state but in NSW it costs around $80.
Q: How can you best help people with chronic illnesses and disabilities, to stay on-time with medicines and personal care tasks?
A: As a provider of health and disability care services it could be a challenge for you to meet medication, hydration, nutrition, and personal care on time compliance for your participants. Electronic devices to the rescue!
You may have heard of many suppliers of reminders for medication and personal care tasks. However, there’s one that offers the largest range in Australia today. It has over 100 products and its range includes timers, automatic pill dispensers, vibrating and talking watches and clocks suitable for a variety of purposes and for hearing and vision impaired people. It is an NDIS registered provider and offers exemplary customer service and support. Check them out – it is TabTimer
ARE YOU READY FOR SOME ASSISTANCE?
Try me as a one stop shop for your NDIS governance and compliance needs, and you would want to stay with me for the long run!! Best Regards Until Next Time ,
Janaki
