By convenor |

Here is another report, this time from Queensland, describing some serious inadequacies of the NDIS with particular impact on autistic people ... though the report fails completely to mention autistic people. The report talks about people with impaired decision-making capacity; it mentions intellectual disability and brain injury, but does not mention autism spectrum disorder (ASD, which is the biggest distinct disability type in the NDIS).

Recommendations

The Public Trustee

We recommend that the Public Trustee of Queensland:

1. review its complaints management policies, guidance, and training materials to align with the new NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework

The review should cover providing support to its clients (within the limitations of its legislative functions) to recognise when they have the basis for a complaint and how the complaints process works.

The Public Guardian

We recommend that the Public Guardian:

2. review its complaints management policies, guidance, and training materials to align with the new NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework

The review should cover:

  • providing support to its clients (within the limitations of its legislative functions) to recognise when they have the basis for a complaint and how the complaints process works
  • considering referrals of complaints from or on behalf of NDIS participants about service providers under the NDIS National Quality and Safeguarding Framework
  • working with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission on client data-sharing arrangements.

The Department of Justice and Attorney-General

We recommend that the Department of Justice and Attorney-General:

3. analyses the adequacy of the resources allocated to ensure people with impaired decision-making capacity are effectively supported in getting timely access to the supports available from the NDIS 

The analysis should determine the resources necessary to:

  • effectively manage the initial increase in applications in (2018–19 and 2019–20) to QCAT for the appointment of the Public Guardian for a matter
  • support people appointed a guardian in accessing the supports of the NDIS for the period of the appointment (maximum of five years).

The Department of Communities, Disability Services and Seniors

We recommend that the Department of Communities, Disability Services and Seniors:

4. develops a statewide strategy to support people with disability access the NDIS.

The strategy should include consideration of:

  • the role of advocacy in supporting access to the NDIS
  • actions to reduce the pressures on the guardianship system
  • the results of the current review of the National Disability Advocacy Program to identify opportunities to improve coordination of Commonwealth and state-funded services.

from https://www.qao.qld.gov.au/reports-parl…