Protection for NDIS participants is in place with a new quality and safeguarding framework. Released by the Council of Australian Governments Disability Reform Council the new system is intended to support the NDIS when it is fully rolled out. Worker screening and reducing restrictive practices are key components of the new framework.
The Commonwealth will establish a national complaint and serious incident system and an NDIS Code of Conduct for providers and their staff. The Commonwealth will also establish a national registrar responsible for registering providers and overseeing their compliance with registration requirements, including compliance with the National Standards for Disability Services and Mental Health Services.
The new standard will be nationally consistent and establishes the responsibilities of providers and staff, Minister for Social Services, Christian Porter said.
For participants, the new system will provide access to information and support in dealing with providers and avenues for resolving issues quickly, empowering them to have choice and control over decisions which affect them. Providers will be expected to deliver person-centred, quality services, as well as maintain a trusted, competent and skilled workforce that reflects the values and principles of the NDIS.
The framework is a result of extensive consultation with key stakeholders including people with disability, carers, providers, peak bodies and the National Disability Insurance Agency. A new round of consultations will be advertised during 2017.
A copy of the framework is available at: www.dss.gov.au/ndisqualitysafeguards