❓ Hon Stephen Dawson questions the Disability Services Commission regarding a decrease in family support and respite access, and changes to respite funding. The Commission attributes the changes to more flexible individual planning and increased individualised funding packages.
AnsweredQoN 3862Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to Family Support on page 54 of the 2014-2015 Disability Services Commission Annual Report , and I ask: (a) why was there an eight per cent decrease in the number of people who received family support compared to the year prior; (b) why did the number of clients accessing respite drop; and (c) have any changes been made to funding of respite care and, if yes, what are the changes?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
28 April 2016
Responded by
Minister for Disability Services
Response time
63 days
(a) More flexible individual planning processes mean that individuals with disability have increased choice in the strategies and services they obtain. This has resulted in increases in some services and decreases in others. The decrease in services reported as family support is part of this pattern and is balanced by increases in the numbers in other service areas. A number of people who were previously recorded under Family Support are recorded under Community Focused Support.
(b) Respite is provided through a range of activities including day options, recreation, camps, in-home support, and learning and life skills development activities. While the number of people reported as receiving respite has decreased by 85 people since 2013/14, the number of people accessing day options, recreation and life and skills development has increased by 2,469 in the same period. Participation in these activities by an individual with disability provides their primary carer with a break from their caring role.
(c) In 2014-15 most funding was allocated to individuals as individualised funding packages to enable them to meet their needs and realise the goals identified in their individual plan. The impact of individuals having greater choice and control to direct the type of support and services they need has resulted in reduction of $2 million directed to respite and an increase of $50.2 million to community-focused support. Participation in these activities assists individuals to reach their goals and provides their families with a break from their caring role.
(b) Respite is provided through a range of activities including day options, recreation, camps, in-home support, and learning and life skills development activities. While the number of people reported as receiving respite has decreased by 85 people since 2013/14, the number of people accessing day options, recreation and life and skills development has increased by 2,469 in the same period. Participation in these activities by an individual with disability provides their primary carer with a break from their caring role.
(c) In 2014-15 most funding was allocated to individuals as individualised funding packages to enable them to meet their needs and realise the goals identified in their individual plan. The impact of individuals having greater choice and control to direct the type of support and services they need has resulted in reduction of $2 million directed to respite and an increase of $50.2 million to community-focused support. Participation in these activities assists individuals to reach their goals and provides their families with a break from their caring role.
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