New framework to protect vulnerable people with disability in the NDIS

Governments across Australia are working together to ensure the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) delivers the best possible support for people with disability.

A public consultation process was launched today by the COAG Disability Reform Council – made up of state, territory and federal disability ministers – to discuss quality and safeguards for the NDIS.

The Disability Ministers said people with disability have a right to feel and be safe when using NDIS funded supports, and should have confidence that their provider has met rigorous quality standards.

“Some people with disability are more vulnerable to abuse, so we need a strong system to keep them safe,” said the Chair of the Council, the federal Assistant Minister for Social Services Senator Mitch Fifield.

The Ministers said the consultations are about finding the best ways to ensure all NDIS registered providers offer services that are safe and effective, while ensuring participants have choice and control when choosing a provider.

“The development of a new quality and safeguarding framework is an opportunity to streamline the rules across all states and territories to make it easier for people with disability and service providers,” Minister Fifield said.

The consultation paper outlines a range of options for registering providers, handling complaints and screening of staff to ensure they are safe to work with people who may be vulnerable.

“We want to hear what impact different options could have on people with disability and providers. This will help us develop a nationally consistent, quality and safeguarding framework,” Minister Fifield said.

The Council encouraged all people with disability, their families and carers, service providers and advocacy groups to get involved in the consultations by making a submission on all or any of the issues, attending a public meeting or joining the discussion in the online forum.

Feedback from the consultations will help shape the new framework.

The consultations open today and will close on 30 April 2015.

Go to https://engage.dss.gov.au/ to download the consultation paper and find out how to get involved.