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association news

National Disability Insurance Scheme news

As you know, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will continue to roll out as planned following the Federal Budget, despite some early hints that it may be one of the areas impacted. Further trial sites will commence from 1 July in Western Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and the Barkly region in the Northern Territory, while the trial sites in the Barwon and Hunter regions will be expanded geographically. The NDIS website has more detailed information, along with State or Territory Government sites. I have had great opportunities over the past few months to catch up with members about the NDIS and its impacts on them as providers and on clients who have become NDIS participants. It is very exciting to hear examples of participants who previously would have missed out on services or had access to a restricted or rationed service now having access to a comprehensive range of supports through the NDIS. This is especially so for children with Severe Language Disorder and Severe Speech Sound Disorder. Like any new program however, there have been teething issues. Concerns raised by SPA with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) can be grouped broadly around the following themes:

role of support workers within the NDIS context, and we were able to draw upon the knowledge and experience of members in providing feedback on a consultation paper ‘New Roles Scoping Project in Community Services and Health’ from the Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council. SPA also provides input on a range of issues via AHPA, for example: • the impact of the shift to three tiers of (effectively capped) funding for trans-disciplinary early intervention funding; • the potential impact on availability of placements for students in the disability sector; • the role of speech pathologists in facilitating person centred service provision; and • inclusion of participants in planning and models for provision of Augmentative and Alternative Communication assistive technology. The NDIS has been described as a ‘transformational change’ for services for people with disability, and the NDIA as a learning organisation. My experience and feedback from members certainly reflects that both of these are true, with processes being developed and modified in response to need and feedback from participants as well as providers. • Attending one of the trial site meetings and/or viewing the NDIS online event planned over the coming months. Keep an eye out for more information about these events in SPA’s publications. • Joining the SPA Disability Member Community on Facebook. This is a great way to gain information and support from people who are at the ‘coalface’, as well as to keep up-to-date with what is a very dynamic process of change, catch up with the most recent information and provide input and evidence that can inform interactions with the NDIS. • Visiting the SPA website to review the various SPA clinical guidelines and position statements and other professional support documents for information and guidance. There are resources available via the Information for Members tab > NDIS webpage . • Contacting Cathy Olsson by email disability@ speechpathologyaustralia.org.au or via National Office ph 03 9642 4899. You can support SPA to support you and NDIS participants by:

THEMES Workforce issues

ISSUES INCLUDE:

Loss of career structure, impact on availability of clinical supervision and support Knowledge of planners and participants of the types and value of speech pathology interventions, availability of funded support items for non face- to-face services; and availability of and access to speech pathology interventions (e.g., maintaining programs supporting communication access and participation for people with Complex Communication Needs) Provision of standards of care and clinical risk management; and professional development, competencies and EBP (e.g., access to informal as well as formal professional development opportunities specific to service delivery for people with disabilities, broadening of scope of service and the impact on development of clinical competencies)

Awareness and understanding

of the role of speech pathology in service delivery for people with disability

Clinical Governance

cathy olsson Disability Project Consultant

SPA will continue to have regular contact with representatives of the NDIA and to provide input to various projects and processes as well as raising concerns and seeking information and clarification on behalf of members. Additionally, I am the Allied Health Professional Australia (AHPA) representative on a working group commissioned by the NDIS looking at the

Speak Out June 2014

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www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au