Kirsty McGovern-Hooley’s Post

The NDIS Registration Taskforce has just released its highly anticipated report, which includes significant recommendations that could reshape the NDIS landscape. These recommendations, such as a tiered registration system and new worker registration requirements, have sparked considerable debate within the disability community. We understand how important these changes are to participants, providers, and workers alike. That's why we're currently taking a detailed look at the report and its implications, especially the tiered system and its potential impact on choice, control, and service availability. We'll be sharing our opinion on these recommendations soon, so stay tuned. In the meantime, you can read the full report and advice here: https://lnkd.in/gZ29SYkA #NDIS #NDISTaskforce #WorkerRegistrationTaskforce

A new report has highlighted the severity of increasing operating costs and deepening deficits facing the disability services sector. Understanding these implications is crucial for NDIS providers and the individuals they support. Our latest article explores the pressing issues affecting the sector's financial viability and the need for providers to embrace a more sustainable commercial approach 👇 #HealthServicesbyRSM #NDIS

Important announcement from the Government today to act on the NDIS Registration Taskforce’s advice, and work swiftly to ensure all providers of SIL, support coordination and all platform providers are registered. HSU members have been campaigning for a while on this, calling out the need for minimum standards and better safeguards in the NDIS. It’s great to see their experience, and of people they support, amplified. The absence of positive regulation of the disability support sector has had real impacts on worker safety, support and supervision. And at the start of the NDIS Review, 1 in 4 members wanted to leave the sector. As a result, we hear often about a “race to the bottom” in quality and safeguards, where quality providers are pressured of the market by some providers intent on cutting costs, often by chipping away at workers’ conditions. As the NDIS Review acknowledged, regulation doesn’t automatically mean quality. But without visibility of the market, the regulator is disempowered, it cannot know what it does not know, and it cannot lift quality and safeguards. More information here:

Our next story from the realm of the NDIS. This is the story with one provider’s administrative burden from the Commission. We need a regulatory with a focus on keeping people with disability, who may be more vulnerable, to stay safe. But is the current regime working? Some simple fixes could have big impact. Let me know your thoughts Bill Shorten there could be some low hanging fruit here. https://lnkd.in/gZ2ttKCB

This will probably create a lot of mixed arguments but we need to stop the NDIS Bill going through in its current state. Whilst I agree we need to do something about the overspending that is the NDIS. In it’s current form this Bill and Bill Shorten will remove at the core of the idea of the NDIS and we will go back to the 1900 where certain parts of our society were told what they can and can’t do with their lives by people who have no idea what it is likely to live with a disability or support someone who has a disability. We will lose ‘choice and control’ of what supports we need to need to live our lives instead this will be narrowed down to a list of maybe 2 or 3 options and decided on by someone who has no lived experience of disability or the area they are working in. Again government has told us they have consulted with the right people, the people this will affect but yet again those in the disability sector and those with lived experience are feeling like they haven’t been heard. This will save money but at the expense of humanity. It will save money in the NDIS space but then this cost will potentially be felt in the Public Health sector, and then more greatly in society as a whole because those who can currently participate in the economic system of society will potentially be not able to participate economically to the Australian economy. With 1 in 5 people reported to have some form of disability and an ageing population, this is a huge hit economically for the Australian economy and government. Providers also can’t continue to operate in the NDIS space with most operating at a loss when it comes to prices of the NDIS, especially when in the Private market most are able to charge more. This will also have a flow on effect of the providers who work in the NDIS providing sub par services to people who genuinely need it. As a person with a disability if I wasn’t able to choose and have access to the great providers I do then I wouldn’t be where I am today. I would be interested to hear your thoughts and opinions.

Article and submission from the Independent Advisory Council to the NDIS. They do not agree with the NDIS support lists at all. If the independent advisory to the NDIS is not being listened to, and they need to put in these types of submissions, then are the NDIS actually listening to anybody with disability when it comes to the changes they are making? That was a rhetorical question. It is clear they are not listening to anyone. https://lnkd.in/gvZVTcM2 #NDIS #ndisreview #disabiltyprovider #disabilitysupports #independentadvisory #ndissubmission

Statement from the NDIS Quality and Safeguards in response to The Boland Review Report on Irabina: “The NDIS Commission accepts the findings of the Independent Report and acknowledges that its handling of matters has not always met community expectations. Its immature system, processes and under-resourcing during its establishment years led to a fragmented approach to regulating providers that adversely impacted people with disability, their families and their carers who accessed NDIS funded services through Irabina from 2019-2022. The practices at Irabina, particularly within the Severe Behaviour Support Program, constituted breaches of the NDIS Act and associated Rules. The NDIS Commission recognises the harm experienced as a result of Irabina’s use of prohibited restrictive practices and restrictive practices. We apologise to people with disability, their families and their carers who accessed Irabina’s behaviour support services during this period for the systemic factors that – despite the best efforts of individual NDIS Commission staff at the time – let people with disability down. The NDIS Commission is actively investigating Irabina, with a view to determining what further regulatory action should be taken against the provider and its former key personnel”. Read the full statement here: https://lnkd.in/gDvJyNT3

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has issued a statement in response to the Boland Report on Irabina. In it, the QSC apologises to the children and families harmed and confirms it is actively investigating Irabina “with a view to determining what further regulatory action should be taken against the provider and its former key personnel”. Please share any thoughts or feelings you have about this or the Boland Review Report on Irabina in the comments. #ndis #ndisprovider #aba #pbs #positivebehavioursupport #specialistbehaviour #disabilityrights #humanrights

🚨 Important NDIS Changes: What Does This Mean for Participants? 🚨 As a disability service provider, we’re deeply concerned about how the recent NDIS changes will affect participants, particularly with the latest updates aimed at strengthening the powers of the NDIS Commission. Here's what you need to know: 👉 Increased Investigation Powers: The NDIS Commission will have more authority to investigate providers, ensuring compliance but also increasing scrutiny on service delivery. 👉 Civil Penalties Introduced: Non-compliance could lead to hefty civil penalties, meaning providers who don’t meet standards could face significant financial consequences. 👉 Commission Can Ban Individuals: The Commission will now have the power to ban individual workers who are found to breach rules or standards, potentially affecting continuity of care for participants. These changes aim to protect participants but could also bring uncertainty. We’re committed to ensuring that participants continue receiving the quality care they deserve while we navigate these new regulations. If you’re concerned about how this might impact you, reach out to us—we’re here to support you through it. 💙 https://lnkd.in/gbmC4k6t

Calling All Who Care About the Future of the NDIS: Your Voice Matters! Are you passionate about improving the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)? Whether you're a participant, family member, carer, service provider, or simply someone who cares about disability rights, your input is invaluable! The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is inviting everyone with an interest in the NDIS to become Participant First members and share their unique perspectives. What does being a Participant First member involve? By joining, you'll have the opportunity to contribute through a variety of activities like focus groups, interviews, workshops, surveys, and more. Your feedback will directly influence how the NDIS evolves to better support people with disability and their families. Why should you become a Participant First member? - Make a real difference in the lives of people with disability and their families. - Connect with a diverse community of like-minded individuals. - Gain a deeper understanding of the NDIS. - Have your voice heard and shape the future of the NDIS. If you're passionate about improving the NDIS, I encourage you to visit the NDIA website and fill out the Participant First form. Your contribution is invaluable and will help us build a stronger, more inclusive NDIS for all.🤟🌻 https://lnkd.in/g9CQT-Ks #NDIS #Disability #ParticipantFirst #MakeADifference #Inclusion #NDIA #DisabilityAdvocate #ParticipantFirst #Transparent #Responsive #Respectful #Empowering #Connected Bill Shorten