1. Individualising Block Grants to Support NDIS Implementation
Endeavour Foundation Project Discoveries
450 Days and Counting NDS QLD Conference 31 March 2015

2. Overview NDIS Conversation Kit Project Journey Decision Framework
A key question for service providers is whether or not to individualise block grants before NDIS is implemented.

3. Project Journey Early 2014 Funding granted Project focus
To explore the best ways to individualise block grants.
Project focus
9 accommodation outlets.
1 community access service.
Key assumption
…all service providers need to individualise block grants.

4. Project Journey Project Reference Group Project risks
Governance and advice during the project.
Project risks
Exploring risks to people, financial risk, and brand risks.
Developing notional amounts
Attempts to address the inequity in historical funding levels.

5. Project Journey Moderating based on relative need Learning from NDIA
Exploring options for considering relative need in allocation.
Learning from NDIA
trial sites
Individualising funding is not compulsory.
Redefining the
project aims
Focus on Decision Framework and Communication Kit.

6. Overview
NDIS Conversation Kit
Project Journey
Decision Framework

7. Decision Framework

8. Explore Benefits and Risks
Decision Framework

9. Explore Benefits and Risks
Increased choice and flexibility.
Create a "new" relationship with the people you currently support
Enables a subsequent move to the Your Life, Your Choice self-directed funding program
May assist you to trial processes, or develop insights that will be useful for the NDIS era
May assist you to shift the organisation’s culture or performance

10. Explore Benefits and Risks
May create viability risk at an outlet or organisational level.
If a service outlet becomes unviable as a result of someone leaving, it will affect the people who remain.
If people leave services as a result of having individualised funding, this may lead to IR issues or redundancies, as staffing is reduced.

11. Explore Benefits and Risks
Requires considerable work effort, and this may be at the expense of other NDIS transformation activities
You may raise expectations of flexibility that can’t be delivered
People may be disadvantaged by the allocation process, or find the process unfair, affecting your relationship with them.

12. Decide how to Individualise
Explore Benefits and Risks

13. Decide how to Individualise
Developing fair notional amounts
Considering relative need

14. Explore Benefits and Risks
Considering relative need

15. Developing fair notional amounts
Considering relative need

16. Explore Benefits and Risks
Developing fair notional amounts

17. Decide when to Individualise
Explore Benefits and Risks
Decide how to Individualise
Decide when to Individualise

18. Decide when to Individualise

19. Process for Considering Requests
Explore Benefits and Risks
Decide how to Individualise
Decide when to Individualise
Process for Considering Requests

20. Process for Considering Requests

21. Key Communications for NDIA Preparation
Explore Benefits and Risks
Decide how to Individualise
Decide when to Individualise
Process for Considering Requests
Key Communications for NDIA Preparation

22. Key Communications for NDIA Preparation
Project Journey
NDIS Conversation Kit
Decision Framework

23. Conversation kit What is the NDIS and the NDIA?
The NDIS is the National Disability Insurance Scheme. The NDIA is the agency that implements the scheme. National Scheme
This is a national scheme that replaces existing state funding system. It’s an insurance scheme
If you meet the Access Requirements, you will
receive supports that the NDIA deems reasonable and necessary. My NDIS You will receive a plan, and be able to choose where to buy your services

24. Conversation kit When will the change happen, and how?
Trial Sites The scheme is being trialled in sites in most states of Australia. NDIA in Queensland The Queensland implementation will start in 2016 – we aren’t yet sure where. Full implementation
all around Australia will occur by You don’t need to contact the NDIA If you are already receiving services from a Queensland service provider, the NDIA will contact you to start the entry and planning process.

25. Conversation kit What will I need to do?
Access Entry to the scheme starts with the Access process. You will need to provide some information about yourself. Planning You will have a meeting with a Planner with the NDIA. You will be asked to talk about your goals. There are lots of great resources to help you prepare for planning. Implementing your plan Once you have a plan you can choose where to purchase your services. You can have all the help you need to do this.

26. Conversation kit What does it mean for my current services?
No disadvantage
The NDIA says you will be able to access supports that help you achieve the same outcomes as now.
Understanding your current supports Let’s have a look at the supports you receive now. Will I need to change how I access my current supports? No – if you’re happy with your current supports, you can use the new funding to keep things running just as they are.

27. Conversation kit What else do I need to know?
Timeline for changes We don’t yet know when all the changes will occur We will keep you updated We will communicate regularly with you through letters and meetings, and Ask questions any time Please get in contact with us – we are here to make this change as easy for you as it can be Closer to the change We will personally support you to prepare for your planning meeting with the NDIA

28. Questions? Thank you!!