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Recommendations
Recommendation 1
3.50 The committee is concerned about the number of NDIS
plans that appear not to have been activated and recommends that independent
work be undertaken to establish the veracity of the evidence that plans have
not been activated and what the causes and consequences this may have on the
Scheme.
Recommendation 2
3.72 The committee heard evidence that 'gaps in service'
have been identified in each of the trial sites. The committee recommends that
further work be undertaken by the Independent Advisory Council which is
well-placed to identify and inform the Agency about where there are gaps in
service and possible options for addressing these shortfalls.
Recommendation 3
3.78 As people transition to the NDIS, the committee is cognisant
of the need to assist people develop the necessary skillsets to enable them to
successfully move into the workplace environment and participate in the
workforce, where possible. The committee recommends that work be conducted
through the relevant Commonwealth departments of education and employment to
assess what is and can be done to help participants make these choices. The
committee also recommends working with employers to appraise issues concerning
disability discrimination in the workplace, and remove barriers through
education and reform to better integrate NDIS supports.
Recommendation 4
5.55 The committee recommends that as part of the
planning process, the NDIA implement a process similar to normal insurance
industry practices, where participants are provided with: clear disclosure
documentation (about the planning process that includes reference to the 'no
disadvantage test'); a written draft plan; incorporates a 'cooling-off' before
a package is agreed; and requires participants to sign their final agreed
plans. The committee believes that this is a fundamental element of the
original intent of the policy to empower and provide choice to people with a
disability in the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Recommendation 5
5.88 Based on the evidence received on transdisciplinary
packages, the committee recommends that the Agency undertake a review of the
current arrangements regarding transdisciplinary packages, in particular, the
operational guidelines and advice and training it provides to its planners.
This review should encompass and be informed not just by clinical experts and
researchers, but it should also consult participants, carers and providers.
Recommendation 6
5.97 The committee
notes the importance of the role of advocacy services in ensuring quality plans
and supporting participants in the planning process. The committee recommends
that certainty regarding the role and support for advocacy services in the NDIS
be urgently resolved through the Ministerial Disability Reform Council.
Recommendation 7
6.17 The committee
recommends that the National Disability Insurance Agency implement a system
whereby its website is renewed on a systematic basis, alerting the public to
changes in its online documentation. The list of changes—with links to the
documents—should be able to be accessed easily. Urgent changes—such as a change
to price lists—should be communicated under a 'News Flash' item on the NDIA's
website.
Recommendation 8
6.32 The committee recommends that the National
Disability Insurance Agency publicise details about its internal systems for
receiving and responding to feedback. The key performance indicators should be
publicly listed and the Agency's performance against each indicator should be
provided at regular intervals on the NDIA's website and in its Annual Report.
The public should also be able to compare data sets over time.
Recommendation 9
6.37 The committee commends the National Disability
Insurance Agency (NDIA) for the survey results it has achieved to date. To
improve the transparency and integrity of future survey results, the committee
recommends that the NDIA consults with the Australian Bureau of Statistics
Statistical Clearing House about the design and methodology of surveys to
ensure that they are fit for purpose and consistent with best practice survey
design principles. The NDIA should publish the methodology of surveys on its
website and in its Quarterly Reports to the Council of Australian Governments
Disability Reform Council.
The committee also recommends that the survey is extended to
include carers and parents.
Recommendation 10
6.40 The committee recommends that the National
Disability Insurance Agency develop a systematic way of gathering qualitative
feedback from National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants and
carers of NDIS participants. Careful thought should be given to ensuring a
broad cross-section of feedback, encouraging views from people from non-English
speaking backgrounds.
Recommendation 11
6.45 The committee recommends that the Agency continue to
ensure greater representation of people with disability in its staffing profile,
particularly in the planner role.
Recommendation 12
6.49 The committee recommends that the National
Disability Insurance Agency develop and implement an information campaign to
inform young people living in residential nursing homes in the trial sites of
the process for applying to become a participant with the NDIS.
Recommendation 13
6.53 The committee recommends that all future bilateral
negotiations and amendments to transitional arrangements are finalised and
publicised well in advance of commencement dates to ensure and provide
confidence and certainty for all stakeholders.
Recommendation 14
6.56 In accordance, with the progressive roll-out of the
NDIS to remote Indigenous communities, the committee recommends that
governments work together through the Ministerial Disability Reform Council to
consider adopting an approach, in consultation with the appropriate Indigenous
organisations, to phase in all NDIS-eligible persons at the same time in each
community.
Recommendation 15
6.76 The committee recommends that the Ministerial
Disability Reform Council expedite roles and responsibilities and any funding
arrangements for Tier 2 services. The committee commends the attitude and
direction that the South Australian Government is taking in its involvement
with Tier 2 and the sector, and recommends that states and territories adopt
this approach.
Recommendation 16
6.84 The committee is aware that there is currently a
shortfall in the number of workers in the disability sector, particularly in
professional roles. It is aware of research that the number of full time disability
sector workers will need to increase substantially to meet demand by full
Scheme in 2018. The committee recommends that a workforce strategy be developed
under the auspices of the Ministerial Disability Reform Council that identifies
the issues, challenges, options and recommendations to meet demand.
Recommendation 17
6.99 The committee recommends that the National
Disability Insurance Agency assist prospective and actual participants in
building the necessary skills and knowledge to manage their own support
package. Workshops should be available for participants who are seeking
information on self-managing their plan. The committee believes that promoting
self-management of plans will provide participants with choice and control
which should in turn lead to greater innovation and responsiveness from service
providers.
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