- Recommendations from the disability royal commission and the NDIS review were released late last year.
- In this series, experts examine what new proposals could mean for people with disability.
- Recent media coverage about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) frames the choices of people with disability as threats to their safety or the safety of others.
Choosing services and who provides them
- Research indicates people with disability are more likely to be safe and free from abuse when they have choice over what services they receive and who provides them.
- Previous research by one of us (Sophie) also found some people feel safe as a result of having more choice.
- They may be dependent upon one provider for essential services.
- Read more:
Unregistered NDIS providers are in the firing line – but lots of participants have good reasons for using them
There is more than one way to support safety
- It did make other quality and safety recommendations that have not received the same degree of attention as the controversial recommendation on mandatory provider registration.
- There are also recommendations to help all people with disability to navigate NDIS, foundational and other services and increase decision-making support.
- The recommendations to diversify housing and living supports are critical for expanding both choice and safety.
What about worker safety?
- These workers experience different pay and working conditions depending on the provider they work for and industrial award they are employed under.
- NDIS participants can use online platforms to employ sole-trader support workers rather than going through agencies.
- That said, workers employed by disability service organisations also report low levels of confidence in organisational safety and reporting systems.
What could support safety for everyone?
Rather than assuming choice and safety are in opposition to each other and further restricting choice, our research suggests the following priorities:
- Safety is about being connected and embedded within the community, where many people are looking out for you, checking in on you and noticing if you don’t show up to your usual activities.
- Ultimately, a scheme where people with disability are empowered to make meaningful decisions between quality services, and workers are valued and supported in their roles, will promote safety for everyone.
- Read more:
States agreed to share foundational support costs.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
