1. The Future of Carer Support Karen Wilson Branch Manager Disability and Carers Policy 24 October 2014

2. Acknowledgement of Country National Respite Association Conference – The Future of Carer Support2 I acknowledge the traditional owners on whose land we meet today. I pay my respects to their elders both past and present.

3. Overview National Respite Association Conference – The Future of Carer Support 3 New Department of Social Services structure Cross sector view on carer issues What stakeholders have told us Ideas for a more integrated carer support model

4. Broad Department focus One area to take a connected DSS approach on carer issues Opportunity to consider carer needs regardless of who they are caring for Regular conversations across DSS areas to ensure consistency and knowledge sharing National Respite Association Conference – The Future of Carer Support 4

5. How many carers are there? (SDAC 2012) National Respite Association Conference – The Future of Carer Support5

6. Supply of informal carers not increasing at the same rate as demand National Respite Association Conference – The Future of Carer Support6

7. DSS services and supports for carers National Respite Association Conference – The Future of Carer Support 7 In 2013-14: 10 DSS programmes assisted and supported carers in their caring role Total funding for these programmes was over $500 million Over 300,000 carers received assistance through the 10 programmes

8. What stakeholders have told us National Respite Association Conference – The Future of Carer Support8 Research undertaken in 2013 highlighted: Carers experience difficulty navigating the service system and the fragmentation of support They would like to “make it easier for carers to identify the service and the point of access” There is a need for a more streamlined and coordinated systems approach to carers support There is a lack of alignment across key frameworks regarding how carers are identified, assessed and supported, and There is limited communications and coordination between different levels of government and between agencies

9. Aged Care reform – what it means for carers National Respite Association Conference – The Future of Carer Support9 Valuing carers Commonwealth Home Support Programme to support carers of older people (aged 65 years and over, or 50 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples) Carers of older people use My Aged Care as the pathway to carer support Provide quality care for the care recipient

10. NDIS - what it means for carers National Respite Association Conference – The Future of Carer Support10 Trial sites are in VIC, NSW, SA, TAS, ACT and NT One of the core aims of the NDIS is to better support families and carers in their caring role

11. NDIS - what it means for carers (continued) National Respite Association Conference – The Future of Carer Support 11 The Agency will consider the assistance provided by carers when working with participants to develop individual plans and support packages Local Agency offices will discuss any questions carers may have about the Scheme

12. Mental health services and programmes – what it means for carers National Respite Association Conference – The Future of Carer Support12 The National Mental Health Commission review of mental health services and programmes Mental Health Respite: Carer Support program delivering flexible support for carers

13. Welfare reform National Respite Association Conference – The Future of Carer Support13 The Interim Report of the Reference Group on Welfare Reform was released on 29 June 2014 The Report proposes a new system based around four pillars of reform: –A simpler and sustainable income support system –Strengthening individual and family capability –Engaging with employers –Building community capacity

14. An Integrated Carer Support Model National Respite Association Conference – The Future of Carer Support14 Should there be an identifiable point of access for all carers? What could an integrated carer support model look like? Should there be one carer assessment process? How do we encourage and maintain innovative approaches to carer support? How do we effectively support carers to engage in, or remain in, education, training or paid work where appropriate?

15. Next steps National Respite Association Conference – The Future of Carer Support15 The Department will consult with stakeholders over the next six months to co-design an integrated carer support model The future of Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres (CRCCs) will also be considered when developing a model

16. For more information Email questions/comments to: karen.wilson@dss.gov.au or CHSP@dss.gov.au The Department’s website is: www.dss.gov.auww.dss.gov.au National Respite Association Conference – The Future of Carer Support16

17. Thank you National Respite Association Conference – The Future of Carer Support 17