DHS Disability Services News - 13 June 2023

DHS Disability Services News - 13 June 2023

It is hard to believe that we are nearly halfway through the year. Our pace certainly has not slowed as we support you to receive quality services under the NDIS. We are pleased to advise that all of our clients have now participated in a Functional Capacity Assessment, and we are on track to share our Service Agreements with you shortly. If you have not yet provided us with a copy of your NDIS plan and your Home and Living outcome, it is important you do this as soon as possible so we know what supports you would like DHS Disability Services to deliver in the future.

Many of our clients have been keeping busy this month getting out and about. We had a Reconciliation Week celebration at Woodville Gardens, clients were invited to a Tutti Arts Choir performance at the Festival Centre and some die-hard footy fans watched their favourite team play. See further down in the newsletter to read more about what our clients have been up to.

Last week Sarah was happy to attend the Strathmont Family and Friends group where she heard from families, spoke about DHS Disability Services transition to service delivery under the NDIS and answer any questions. The group represents family and friends of clients that formerly lived in Strathmont, many of whom are now living in DHS Disability Services homes in the community. They welcome new families and friends to join who are not family and friends of people who formerly lived in Strathmont. If you would like to get in contact with the group you can call 0451 807 168, or email strathmontpf@gmail.com

Our DHS Disability Services monthly forum series continues and if you have any questions, you are welcome to ask them during the June webinar – further information in this newsletter. We hope to see you on-line and there are more opportunities to participate in in-person forums, as the year progresses.

Joe Young
Executive Director, DHS Disability Services

Sarah White
Director, DHS Disability Services

Julie Rogers
Director, Quality and Clinical Services, DHS Disability Services

Establishing a service summary and service agreement

You may have already, or will shortly, receive a phone call and an information pack from us about the services that you would like DHS Disability Services to deliver under the NDIS. Before we provide a service agreement for you to consider and approve, we will first set-up a service summary, which forms part of a final service agreement.
The service summary outlines what services you would like DHS Disability Services to deliver, including the cost of this delivery. You will have an opportunity to consider this and confirm you are happy to proceed. Based on your confirmation of the service summary, a service agreement will be developed, and you will receive this document, later.
If you have any questions about this, you can call 1800 952 962 (and then press 3) or email DHSDisabilityServices@sa.gov.au.

Behaviour support and restrictive practices update

All DHS Disability Services Clients that require a behaviour support plan have now been allocated a behaviour support practitioner. Practitioners will consult with the client, their guardian and their support workers throughout the process of plan development.
If a client’s behaviour support plan recommends restrictive practices, DHS will seek authorisation to use that practice through the Restrictive Practices Authorisation Scheme. We will provide a notice of authorisation to you, advising of the outcome. You will also receive a report every three months, outlining the restrictive practices that have been used in that time.
It is important to note that the use of restrictive practices in our homes is not new. The change is in the way that DHS Disability Services is required to seek authorisation, record and report restrictive practices.  These new requirements are about supporting the rights of our clients, adding in accountability, and reducing the need for restrictive practices all together.
If you have any questions, please call 1800 952 962 (and then press 3). You can also read more about the South Australian Restrictive Practices Authorisation Scheme on the sa.gov.au website.

June DHS Disability Services webinar

Our monthly forum series continues, in June we are hosting a webinar. We hope you can join us using the following links. A recording will be available after, on the DHS Disability Services Family Update page of the DHS website. You will also be able to find questions and answers about the NDIS transition process that have been asked at forums this year.

Date and time

Monday, 19 June
11:00am – 12:00pm

Location

Online webinar
Join DHS Disability Services Webinar
Meeting ID: 878 4607 9505
Passcode: 782824

July in-person DHS Disability Services forums

RSVP your attendance for our upcoming in-person forums that are being held in Adelaide South and Adelaide North.
Date and timeLocation

July
Thursday, 13 July1:00pm – 2:30pm
Adelaide South
Marion Hotel
849 Marion Road, Mitchell Park
RSVP your attendance for Adelaide South forum

Thursday, 27 July1:00pm – 2:30pm
Adelaide North
Gepps Cross Hotel
560 Main North Road, Blair Athol
RSVP your attendance for Adelaide North forum

TBC  Kadina

Upcoming DHS Disability Services forums - save the date

Please save the date for our upcoming forums we are hosting in August and September.

Date and time - Location

August
Thursday 10 August - 5:00pm – 6:30pm Mount Gambier
Monday 17 August - 12:00pm – 1:30pm Webinar

September
Thursday 7 September - 1:00pm – 2:30pm Adelaide North
Thursday 14 September - 1:00pm – 2:30pm Adelaide South
Thursday 21 September - 5:00pm – 6:30pm Mount Gambier