DHS Disability Services - Family Forum - 30 March 2023
Update as at 30 March 2023
On Thursday, 30 March, a DHS Disability Services Family Forum was held, about the process that clients and decision-makers will experience when tranisitioning to recieving services under the NDIS (see . Information will be shared mainly on the first 3 steps of this process - Functional Capacity Assessment, NDIA making a decision for a Home and Living Outcome and NDIA planning meeting.
Future forums held in April and May will look at the final steps of this process, Service Agreement and Funding based on NDIS Plan.
DHS Disability Services Family Forum video (22 minutes)
Steps to be ready for services under the NDIS
The below graphic is an indication of the process that clients and decision makers are currently or will go through, transitioning to receiving services under the NDIS.
*This graphic is a general guide and these steps may be in a different sequence for some clients.
Functional Capacity Assessment
A Functional Capacity Assessment (or FCA) have or will be soon undertaken for those NDIS Participants we work with, who needed one – ready for their planning sessions with the NDIA.
When all relevant client information is shared with the NDIA, they will then request a planning session meeting with clients and decision-makers.
NDIA Planning meeting
During this meeting, client’s goals will be discussed, along with any recent assessment or plans, and any clients’ history that is relevant to their NDIS plan. All this information will be used to finalise their NDIS plan where client’s goals, supports and funding will be identified.
DHS Disability Services are happy to support clients and decision-makers and attend these planning session meetings with you and the NDIA. Please contact us to organise this via DHSDisabilityServices@sa.gov.au or call 1800 952 962 (and then press 3).
If you receive a Home and Living Outcome and/or a new NDIS Plan from the NDIA, that you do not feel represents the support needs of your loved one or friend, please speak with your DHS Disability Services Service Coordinator, so that we can support further discussions with the NDIA.
Please note that participant’s NDIS Plan and their Home and Living Outcome is not shared with DHS Disability Services. We do need this information and welcome you sharing it with us.
DHS Disability Services, Service Agreements – more to come included in future forums
After all relevant information for an NDIS Participant is received and a plan is prepared by the NDIA, a participant’s Service Agreement will be created by DHS Disability Services. The Service Agreement allows DHS Disability Services (and other providers) to deliver services in line with participant’s plans - community participation is an example of this.
Clients and decision-makers can choose to use DHS Disability Services for services that we are registered to deliver - please see the full list below.
Services DHS Disability Services is registered to deliver
- Home and living supports – referred to as Supported Independent Living or SIL – provided by qualified disability support workers
- Community participation – personalised regular outings and activities in the community
- Positive behaviour supports – addressing behaviours of concern
- Access to nursing supports and allied health professionals – including nurses, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, psychologists and dieticians
- Specialist Support Coordination and Support Coordination – ensuring access and coordination of supports
- Transportation – access to vehicles for client appointments and activities
- Assistive technology and equipment – this is a new area of NDIS registration that we are currently being audited for.
Restrictive practices
As a disability services provider, DHS Disability Services is responsible for being open and transparent about any time we use a Restrictive Practice with our clients. In 2022 new legislation came into effect in South Australia which established the Restrictive Practices Authorisation Scheme and outlines:
- how Restrictive Practices are used, if required
- how they are authorised or approved to be used, and
- how they are recorded.
This new legislation means for clients with a Positive Behaviour Support Plan which includes a recommendation of Restrictive Practice(s), we will be providing regular updates about the use of those practices.
If you have any questions about the Restrictive Practices Authorisation Scheme you can visit www.sa.gov.au/topics/care-and-support/disability/restrictive-practices.
If you have a specific question about a Positive Behaviour Support Plan, please email dhs.sbssadmin@sa.gov.au or call 1800 952 962 (and then press 3).
Upcoming DHS Disability Services in-person Forums – we will be inviting NIDA representative to come along to.
Please note change of venue from previous save-the-date information:
- Thursday, 13 April – Adelaide North, Coopers Alehouse Gepps Cross
- Monday, 17 April – Adelaide South, Marion Hotel
- Thursday, 4 May – Mt Gambier
- Thursday, 11 May – Adelaide South
- Thursday, 25 May – Adelaide North
How to contact us
If you have any queries you can:
- Contact your Service Coordinator or Team Leader
- Email us at AccomFeedback@sa.gov.au
- Phone us on 1800 952 962 (and then press 3)
If you know another family member or friend who would like to receive this e-newsletter, please encourage them to sign up via the DHS website or phone 1800 952 962.