1. PREPARING PARTICIPANTS FOR NDIS INTERVIEWS
Learnings from the REAL world!
Presented by Linda Hayes, Managing Director Corporate Synergies Australia Pty Ltd

2. Implementing NDIS – CSA Pty Ltd
Persons with a disability seeking participation in and support from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) have to undergo a pathway involving access, planning and assessment decisions to be made by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). Once a person’s access to the NDIS is approved, an extensive planning and assessment phase is undertaken – involving personal interviews and documentary reviews by the NDIA with the participant and support persons. Participants have the statutory right to determine their own best interests, including the right to exercise choice and control, and to engage as equal partners in decisions that will affect their lives, to the full extent of their capacity. This workshop reviews the rights of participants through the planning and assessment interviews – and the practical support that service providers can provide to participants in preparing them and their families and carers to maximise their contribution to the decisions to be made by NDIA about their plan and their NDIS funded supports.

3. Implementing NDIS - CSA Pty Ltd
Workshop Objectives
Understand NDIA operational guidelines for planning and assessment
Review the NDIS process – from the Participant’s point of view!
Look at tools that can assist Participant’s prepare for NDIA interviews
Preparation: the participant’s “statement of goals and aspirations”
Discuss the importance of participant’s documentation in support
Rights of review of the approved Plan and NDIS funded supports
Linda has over 25 years experience in business strategy and development across private, government and community sectors. More recently, Linda has been noted for her work in the Community sector, assisting organisations to transition business practices to those more sustainable under the emerging government funding models.
Linda is a preferred business mentor and advisor to Bendigo Bank - Community Banking (NSW and QLD), professional contributor to NDS Qld, QCOSS and Better Boards Australasia, trainer with TDSA and CSDS, and in the past held advisor panel contracts with the Commonwealth Department of Social Services (Aged Care), and NSW Aboriginal Affairs.

4. The national disability insurance scheme
31st March 2017
Implementing NDIS - CSA Pty Ltd
The national disability insurance scheme
The Rules

5. 3 levels of legislative practice
31st March 2017
Implementing NDIS - CSA Pty Ltd
3 levels of legislative practice
National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013
National Disability Insurance Scheme (subtitle) Rules 2013 (pursuant to sec. 17 of Act)
NDIA’s CEO “Operational Guidelines” (pursuant to a Rule under the Act)
Forms, assessment tools, policies etc.

6. Implementing NDIS - CSA Pty Ltd
31st March 2017
Implementing NDIS - CSA Pty Ltd
The Act
NDIS Act 2013 (Cwth) – sec. 3 – Objects of the Act: (extracts only)
Provide reasonable and necessary supports for participants in the NDIS launch (s.3(1)(d))
Enable people with disability to exercise choice and control in the pursuit of their goals and the planning and delivery of their supports (s.3(1)(e))
Adopting an insurance-based approach, informed by actuarial analysis, in the provision and funding of supports for people with disability (s.3(2)(b))
In giving effect to the objects of the Act, regard is to be had to … the need to ensure the financial sustainability of the NDIS (s.3(3)(b))

7. Legal rights of the participant
Participant has right to determine their own best interests (s. 4)
Participant has right to engage as equal partners in decisions that will affect their lives to the full extent of their capacity (s. 4)
Participant chooses service provider(s) for contracted services (rights and obligations under contract law)
Participant has right to pursue any grievance (s. 4)
Participant has right to request review of Plan at any time (s. 48)
Participant has right to review of NDIA “reviewable decisions” (s. 99) by a NDIA reviewer who was not involved in the original decision (s. 100(5))
Participant has right to apply to Administrative Appeal Tribunal (AAT) against decision of NDIA reviewer (s. 103)

8. Funding reasonable and necessary supports
Participant’s Plan must include any general or reasonable and necessary supports that will be provided or funded as part of the plan.
Supports must provide value for money (s.34 ).
NDIA delegates are to explain to the participant and where relevant their family and carer, the consideration that has gone into a plan.
Delegate documents statement of reasons for the decision (the letter that accompanies the provision of the plan) and provide a copy of the plan to the participant within 7 days.

9. “Reasonable & Necessary Supports”
The NDIS provides funding for those supports that are considered “reasonable and necessary” for a person with a disability and their families, to live and participate in their community.
To be considered reasonable and necessary – a support must:
Be related to the participant’s disability
Not include day to day living costs that are not related to a participant’s disability support needs
Represent value for money and the most cost effective alternative
Be likely to be effective and beneficial to the participant, and
Take into account the informal supports given to participants by families, carers, networks, and the community

10. The Rules… Becoming a Participant (2013) Children (2013)
Facilitating the Preparation of Participants’ Plans – xxxx (each trial State/ACT 2013 or 2014)
Nominees (2013)
Plan Management (2013)
Protection and Disclosure of Information (2013)
Registered Providers of Supports (2013)
Supports for Participants (2013)
Supports for Participants – Accounting for Compensation (2013)
Timeframe for Decision Making (2013)
Risk Management (2013)

11. Implementing NDIS - CSA Pty Ltd
31st March 2017
Implementing NDIS - CSA Pty Ltd
3RD TIER OF LEGISLATION
The Guidelines

12. Operational guidelines for planning & assessment
HANDOUTS

13. Operational guidelines for supports in the plan
HANDOUTS

14. Implementing NDIS - CSA Pty Ltd
The ndis process
The tactics

15. NDIS considers the FULL scope of supports needed
Current Supports
INFORMAL SUPPORTS
Family and friends as CARERS
Support groups
Community initiatives
Unfunded
GOVT FUNDED SUPPORTS
In-home support
Community access
Supported accommodation
Respite
DS, QCC funded
MAINSTREAM SUPPORTS
General health
Public housing
Public transport
Education
Open employment
Mobility allowance
NDIS considers the FULL scope of supports needed

16. SPECIALIST DISABILITY PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS
Registered Supports under NDIS
SPECIALIST DISABILITY
Assist Access/Maintain Employ
Development – Life skills
Daily Personal Activities
High Intensity Daily Personal Activities
Daily Tasks – Shared Living
Participate Community
Group/Centre activities
Specialist Disability Accommodation
Plan Management
Life Stage Transition
Specialist Supported Employment
PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS
Behaviour Support
Community Nursing Care for High Needs
Early Intervention Supports for Early Childhood
Support Co-ordination
Custom Prosthetics
Therapeutic Supports
Exercise Physiology & Personal Well-being Activities
Interpreting and Translation
Specialist Hearing Services
Hearing Services
OTHER SUPPORTS
Accommodation/Tenancy Assistance
Assistance with Travel/Transport Arrangements
Household Tasks
Assistance Animals
Specialist Driver Training
Innovative Community Participation
Home modifications
Vehicle modifications
Assistive technology
Assistive equipment
INFORMAL SUPPORTS
MAINSTREAM SUPPORTS

17. Transitioning to an NDIS Plan
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Implementing NDIS - CSA Pty Ltd
Transitioning to an NDIS Plan
Every Participant has a planning meeting with the Agency to discuss and formulate their NDIA Plan
If funded under Disability Services, details will be transferred to the NDIA
If funded under QCC or local community programs, they will need to apply for eligibility under NDIS
The NDIA Officer assesses each person’s reasonable and necessary supports under CORE, CAPITAL and CAPACITY BUILDING with input from the Participant… and the plan is created.
The Plan will be either Self Managed, Managed by the NDIA or Managed by a Plan Manager.
Participants who’s plans are managed by the NDIA can ONLY receive supports from NDIS Registered Providers… self-managed and plan managers can use non-registered providers.

18. The Transition Process

19. SUPPORTS FOR YOUR PLAN?
Creating your checklist!

20. Supports in a Participant’s Plan
CORE
CAPITAL
CAPACITY BUILDING
There are THREE categories of Support Purpose in a Participant’s Plan
Your plan will allocate a budget to each Support Purpose, and list the approved Support Categories within that (this will make a little more sense in a minute!!)
Budgets are flexible within each Purpose – that is YOUR choice and control
Budgets CANNOT be transferred between categories (ie from core to capital… or core to capacity building)

21. NDIS Support Categories
(Plan Management)
CORE
Assistance with Daily Life
Transport
Consumables
Assistance with Social & Community Participation
CAPITAL
Assistive Technology
Vehicle modification
Home modification
CAPACITY
Co-ordination of Supports
Improved Living Arrangements
Increased Social & Community Participation
Finding and Keeping a Job
Improved Relationships
Improved Health & Wellbeing
Improved Learning
Improved Life Choices
Improved Daily Living Skills
NDIS Support Categories

22. What supports do I want in my Plan?
There are many tools available to help Participants prepare for their Interview.

23. What supports do I want in my Plan?
CSA has developed two tools – one which acts as an initial discussion point to gain a general understanding of support needs.

24. Assessment Criteria…
Learning and applying knowledge understanding; remembering; practising; using new things
Communication being understood; understanding others
Daily domestic tasks and routines preparing meals; housekeeping; maintenance; shopping; bill paying; money handling; decision making; problem solving
Mobility getting around home and community; aids/equipment
Self-care showering; dressing; eating; toileting; specific health care needs
Interpersonal and community relationships making and keeping friends; coping with feelings and emotions; community activities; recreation and leisure
Housing and accommodation needs & transport and community access
Education and training special interest courses; skills development; personal development
Employment finding and keeping job; work experiences
Needs for emergency and crisis situations

25. The Planning “Conversation”
What you need to KNOW

26. The Planning Meeting
Every Participant has a planning meeting with the Agency to discuss and formulate their NDIA Plan
NOTE!!! The Participant has the right to have other people in the planning meeting with the objective to maximise their ability to participate in the discussion and decision making.
The NDIA Officer assesses…
each person’s reasonable and necessary requirements under CORE, CAPITAL and CAPACITY BUILDING with the Participant’s input
the ability of the Participant, in relation to the assessment criteria under Capacity, Mobility and Communication.
NDIA Officer also assesses contribution of informal supports reasonably expected from family, carers, etc…
To maximise the potential outcome, it is essential that the Participant understands the full range (formal and informal) of supports received, and the gaps.

27. cont…
Meeting with the NDIA planner can either be face-to-face or via phone interview… we strongly recommend a face to face!
The first part of the discussion is around goals, aspirations and outcomes, and the supports that you need to achieve these.
The second part is around everyday needs.
NOTE!!! Every day needs may be MORE than currently received!
The meeting is usually during business hours, either at the Participant’s home, or a local community venue
The average meeting is around 1.5 hours
Participants have the right to review and appeal if dissatisfied with the plan or process.

28. Evidence & documentation
The following documents and paperwork should be taken to the interview as “evidence” of reasonable and necessary…
The name/type of funding you receive and how long you have received it
A list of all of the supports and hours you currently receive from your service provider, and note of actual hours required (if more)
The Participant’s Statement (Goals, Aspirations) and documents to support this
The Carer’s Statement (Goals, Issues, Risks) and documents to support this
Any formal diagnosis
Any professional assessments (therapies etc)
Any ongoing medical requirements, statement from GP and/or specialists
A list of the informal network of people that help the participant and HOW they help

29. What a plan looks like
It’s all about what is listed!

30. An NDIS Plan
A Plan is divided into the three categories of Support Purpose (CORE, CAPITAL, CAPACITY BUILDING), each with an allocated BUDGET for the next 12 months.
Under each Support Purpose, it will list the approved support categories that the budget can be used for.
The Participant will then decide how they want to allocate the budgets against the support categories nominated for them to receive.
As a Provider, it often falls for you to help with this. This is NOT to be confused with Support Co-ordination. This is just “unbundling” the plan.
A flat rate of $750 can be allocated from the CORE budget but only to ONE Provider!!

31. Example plan… CORE Support Area Core Supports Budget $10,000 Details
Core supports to assist with daily living and community participation. Support MAY include transport, continence products, HEN equipment, interpreting services, assistance with self-care, hoist repair. Funding may be used flexible between these supports.
How will the supports will be paid
NDIS will pay my support provider directly for these supports

32. Example plan… CORE Support Area Core Supports Budget $17,500 Details
Personal continence products, activity related products and protectors to maintain health, wellbeing and participation in community activities.
Assisting with and/or supervising personal tasks of daily life to enable the participant to live as autonomously as possible. These supports can be provided in a range of environments, including but not limited to the participant’s own home.
Flexible support to link and engage individual within the community, participate in community activities of interest, develop build and maintain friendships with the assistance of significant others, informal connections and paid support workers.
How will the supports will be paid
NDIS will pay my support provider directly for these supports
Lifestyle Facilitators highlights and challenges – then to be addressed at next meeting.

33. Example plan… CORE Support Area Transport Budget $2,900 Details
Transport funding for attending appointments, participating in day programs and for other social, recreational or leisure activities. Also for Taxi subsidy etc.
How will the supports will be paid
NDIS will pay me directly for these supports

34. Example plan – Capacity Building
First goal
Would like to see communication improve so I can interact with people of my own age and increase my social circle
Second goal
Improve my self-care, daily living skills so I can become more independent, and stay at home by myself for periods of time.
Support Area
Support Coordination
Budget
$550
Details
Coordination of supports (10 hours) Assistance to strengthen ability to coordinate and implement a range of both funded and mainstream supports
How will the supports will be paid
NDIS will pay my support provider directly for these supports
Lifestyle Facilitators highlights and challenges – then to be addressed at next meeting.

35. Example plan - Capacity
Support Area
Improved Daily Living
Budget
$5,000
Details
Assessment, training, development and/or therapy to assist in the development of completing all aspects of self care and daily living tasks independently, and/or increase in skills for independence and community participation
How will the supports will be paid
NDIS will pay my support provider directly for these supports
Support Area
Assistive Technology
Budget
$1,000
Details
Equipment repair
How will the supports will be paid
NDIS will pay my support provider directly for these supports
Lifestyle Facilitators highlights and challenges – then to be addressed at next meeting.

36. Implementing NDIS - CSA Pty Ltd
RIGHT OF APPEAL
Dissatisfaction with Interview Process

37. Reviews and AAT Appeals
The Participant has right to request review of Plan at any time (s. 48)
The Participant has right to review of NDIA “reviewable decisions” (s. 99) by a NDIA reviewer who was not involved in the original decision (s. 100(5))
The Participant has right to apply to Administrative Appeal Tribunal (AAT) against decision of NDIA reviewer (s. 103)

38. Dissatisfaction with Interview
CSA© 2017
Implementing NDIS
Dissatisfaction with Interview
In some interviews, the Participant may have experienced a breach of process under the NDIA Act.
The Planning Conversation was established by or phone or some other way than face to face; and
The Participant did not understand that this process conversation was the Planning Meeting leading to the development of the plan; and/or
The Participant did not understand that they had a choice as to how they wanted their planning meeting to be conducted, for example (eg) face to face meeting; and/or
The Participant was not given full opportunity to be supported in their dealings and communications in the Planning Meeting/Conversation; and/or
The planning and finalising of the Participant’s Plan was not in accordance with the Objects and Principals of the NDIS Act.
If this occurs, the Participant should NOT accept the Plan and immediately request a Plan Review.

39. Final tips and traps Be Prepared… Be Prepared... Be Prepared...
April 2017
Implementing NDIS
Final tips and traps
Be Prepared… Be Prepared... Be Prepared...

40. Tips and Traps Be prepared! Know the rights of an NDIS Participant
Get familiar with the process (check out
Complete a Checklist (!!) and remember to include ALL support hours the Participant receive… even those from friends and relatives
Help your client prepare their documents – as their current service provider, what letters or documents can you provide??
Know who you want to take to your Planning Meeting
Think about their goals and dreams – what supports could help make this happen
ASK, ASK, ASK, ASK, ASK... for everything that is reasonable and necessary for your client to live thier life with choice and control!!!!

41. Any questions?