Month: July 2024

A new group of Australia’s top early childhood experts will help make the NDIS better for children and their families.

Minister for NDIS, Bill Shorten recently announced this Children’s Expert Advisory Group. They will work with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to improve the NDIS based on recommendations from a recent review.

The NDIS review suggested ways to make sure children with disability get the support they need. This includes making it easier for families to access the best services, getting help from the NDIS when needed, and improving how the NDIS works with other systems like education.

Minister Shorten emphasised that early support is crucial for children and that a more connected support system is needed. He is pleased to have a diverse and experienced group to help make these changes.

The Advisory Group will include organisations that represent children, their families, and carers. They will provide expert advice to the NDIA on how to improve the NDIS experience for children and their families and help with clear communication about the NDIS.

The group will also gather feedback from other stakeholders to ensure the best approach. This new group is part of the government’s ongoing effort to improve the NDIS in partnership with people with disability and their supporters.

Skye Kakoschke-Moore from Children and Young People with Disability Australia is a member of the group. She said they are excited to work with the government to make the NDIS easier to access and navigate for children and families.

Members of the Children’s Expert Advisory Group include:

• Sylvana Mahmic – NDIS Independent Advisory Council
• Skye Kakoschke-Moore – Children and Young People with Disability Australia
• Yvonne Keane – Reimagine
• Samantha Page – Early Childhood Australia
• Gretchen Young – SNAICC National Voice for Our Children
• Jenny Karavolos – Australian Autism Alliance
• Morgan Fitzpatrick – Best Practice in Early Childhood Intervention Network
• Professor Sharon Goldfeld – Centre for Community Child Health
• Dr. Tim Moore – Centre for Community Child Health
• Professor Valsamma Eapen – University of NSW
• Sebastian Langdon-Macmillan – Member Youth Steering Committee
• Ellen Gould – NDIS Independent Advisory Council Reference Group Member

We look forward to hearing the recommendations from this expert advisory board and are pleased  that there is progress in this space.

Be sure to keep an eye out for more news from the NDIA in the coming weeks.

Written by Amanda Robinson, B.A., MMentalHealth Prac.

Amanda is a professional with over a decade of dedicated experience in the fields of Mental Health and Disability. Her extensive expertise lies in navigating the intricate landscape of the Disability Sector. She brings a unique perspective to her work, being both a person with lived experience of disability and a compassionate carer. She has a passion for advocacy, making her a staunch champion for the rights and well-being of individuals facing similar challenges.

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As a disability advocate for many years, I always thought my main job was to speak on behalf of; promote, protect, and defend the human rights of people with disabilities. Sure, that was part of it, especially at the beginning. I would role model and educate. But if there was ever a chance for the person to advocate for themselves, that became my main goal. I wanted to empower them to speak up and take charge. But here’s the thing: advocacy isn’t just the job of a ‘disability advocate.’

Disability advocacy is usually focused on specific issues, and advocates are involved in a person’s life for a short time, often dealing with just one problem at a time—just like a lawyer. There’s often a wait for advocacy services because funding is limited, and each new issue means going back on a waiting list.

So, who’s there for the person with disability when they need ongoing support? That’s where the Disability Support Professional comes in. As a Disability Support Professional, you play a crucial role in helping the people you support to advocate for themselves. Your involvement is continuous, and your support helps bridge the gaps left by the limitations of formal advocacy services.

Here are 10 tips that you can use to help a person to self-advocate.

1. Educate on Rights and Responsibilities:

Make sure the person understands their rights and responsibilities. Provide information in accessible formats and discuss what each right means in practical terms.

2. Encourage Participation:

Encourage the person to take part in meetings, decision-making processes, and activities that affect their life. Offer to accompany them if they feel nervous.

3. Develop Communication Skills:

Assist the person in developing effective communication skills. This might include practicing how to express their needs and preferences clearly and confidently.

4. Provide Information and Resources:

Share relevant resources, such as information about services, support groups, and legal rights. Help them access these resources when needed.

5. Support Decision Making:

Help the person understand their options and the potential outcomes of different decisions. Encourage them to weigh these options and make their own choices.

6. Role Play Scenarios:

Practice self-advocacy through role-playing. This can help the person feel more prepared and confident when they need to advocate for themselves in real situations.

7. Be a Role Model:

Demonstrate self-advocacy skills in your interactions. Show respect for the person’s opinions and decisions, and advocate on their behalf when necessary, explaining what you’re doing and why.

8. Provide Emotional Support:

Self-advocating can be challenging. Be there to offer encouragement, celebrate successes, and provide a shoulder to lean on when things don’t go as planned.

9. Create a Supportive Environment:

Foster an environment where the person feels safe to express their needs and desires. Make it clear that their voice matters and that they have the right to be heard.

10. Teach Problem-Solving Skills:

Help the person develop strategies for resolving conflicts and addressing issues. This can include brainstorming solutions, evaluating pros and cons, and planning steps to take action.

As you can see, by simply incorporating these approaches into your support, you can help encourage the person you support to confidently and effectively advocate for themselves. If the person you are supporting does need a Disability Advocate, make sure you assist the person to access this support.

You can search for advocacy organisations here:

https://askizzy.org.au/advice-and-advocacy/personalise/page/who-is-looking-for-help-advocacy

📢Want more info on Self-advocacy?

Voices Together have a great database available to help you find your closest self-advocacy group!

https://www.voicestogether.com.au/self-advocates/find-group

 

Written by Amanda Robinson, B.A., MMentalHealth Prac.

Amanda is a professional with over a decade of dedicated experience in the fields of Mental Health and Disability. Her extensive expertise lies in navigating the intricate landscape of the Disability Sector. She brings a unique perspective to her work, being both a person with lived experience of disability and a compassionate carer. She has a passion for advocacy, making her a staunch champion for the rights and well-being of individuals facing similar challenges

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has unveiled changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) pricing, in anticipation of broader reforms aimed at strengthening the NDIS provider market. However, there may be a few disappointed providers with no changes for plan management, therapy or Support Coordination (L 2&3).

Here’s a summary of the changes for you:

• Fair Work Commission Adjustments: Fully implementing the Fair Work Commission’s decision to increase minimum wages in awards and superannuation, ensuring providers can fairly compensate their workers.
• Price Limit Increases: Raising price limits for supports determined by the NDIS Disability Support Worker (DSW) Cost Model, including Level 1 support coordination services, to reflect changes in minimum wages following the Fair Work Commission’s Annual Wage Review.
• Support Adjustments: Increasing price limits for psychologists, nurses, and other supports based on the rise in wages and the cost of living.
• Maintaining Existing Price Limits: Keeping existing pricing arrangements and price limits for therapy (except for psychologists) and support coordination levels 2 and 3.
• Short-Notice Cancellation Adjustment: Adjusting the short-notice cancellation period for non-Disability Support Worker-related supports to 2 business days to better reflect market norms.

We have listed links to each addendum reflecting changes for ease of reference:

Bereavement Addendum 

• NDIS Bereavement Addendum 2024-25 (PDF 176MB) – effective 1 July 2024

COVID Addendum 

• COVID Addendum (PDF 218KB) – effective 1 July 2024

Assistive Technology, Home Modifications and Consumables Code Guide

The Assistive Technology, Home Modifications and Consumables Code Guide lists the most commonly used supports.

• Assistive Technology, Home Modifications and Consumables Code Guide 2024-25 (PDF 635KB)

Pricing Arrangements for Specialist Disability Accommodation

Pricing arrangements for SDA can be found on the SDA pricing and payments page.

Disability Support Worker Cost Model

• NDIS Disability Support Worker Cost Model 2024-25 (PDF 496KB) – effective 1 July 2024

The cost model estimates the expenses involved in providing one billable hour of support, factoring in all related costs. Fortunately, the NDIS Disability Support Worker Cost Model has been updated to more accurately represent the cost structures of efficient providers in the sector. This updated model forms the foundation for the price limits set by the NDIA for services provided by disability support workers.

The plans of NDIS participants will be adjusted starting in July, with funding being indexed on 13 July to account for these pricing changes.

You can find a copy of the price guide here: https://www.ndis.gov.au/media/7151/download?attachment

Written by Amanda Robinson, B.A., MMentalHealth Prac.

Amanda is a professional with over a decade of dedicated experience in the fields of Mental Health and Disability. Her extensive expertise lies in navigating the intricate landscape of the Disability Sector. She brings a unique perspective to her work, being both a person with lived experience of disability and a compassionate carer. She has a passion for advocacy, making her a staunch champion for the rights and well-being of individuals facing similar challenges.