Having a Say VALiD Conference Edition March 2008 News

HaS 2008 Huge Success!! Auditor General's Conference report inside Damning Report

The Auditor General has released a report on the state of SSA (Shared Support Accommodation) in Victoria. It paints a harsh picture and exposes the lack of capacity and competency across the sector.

The report states:

"...Due to the significant issues identified in this audit, there remains a disconnect between the new support model and the actual delivery of the model by service providers. ...

Of particular concern to audit is that the three issues of capacity and expertise of service New Federal Parliamentary Secretary providers, block funding for SSA, and individual for Disabilities and Children's support plans were raised by us in 2000. ... Services, Mr , MP, went DHS is poorly placed to plan for and manage the out of his way to speak at the opening full extent of its future resourcing requirements. of the 2008 Having a Say conference. This may perpetuate a service system that is reactive and crisis driven. ...

Significant issues remain which, unless addressed, will continue to impede the transition from a medical to a social model of support.

Capacity and expertise of service providers DHS has not yet conclusively assessed whether the disability sector has the capacity and expertise to adopt the changes (though DHS has identified the need for such an assessment). Nor has it established a strategy to address gaps in capacity or expertise.

... continued page 3

Correspondence to VALID,1 235 Napier St. Fitzroy 3065 Phone: (03) 9416 4003 Facsimile: (03) 9416 0850 Freecall: 1800 655 570 Questions concerning the powers, roles, responsibilities and limitations of these new bodies were thoroughly PRESIDENT'S REPORT explored.

VALID was also pleased to host the launch at the The ninth annual Having a Say conference of two new resources: Explore the conference was an outstanding Possibilities, a guide for young people with disabilities success not just in terms of numbers and their families making plans for life beyond school; but in terms of content and interest. and When is a House a Home, a study prepared by self The attendance of Simon Duffy from advocate, Alan Robertson, with the support of Patsi the United Kingdom added an extra Frawley and the LaTrobe University research team, which dimension, providing a push for the highlights the differences between "facilities" and "real individualised funding agenda homes". backed up by strong and practical suggestions. Planning is already underway for next years conference, scheduled for 4th to 6th February 2009. This will be the 10th Sessions conducted by representatives of the Office of the Anniversary of the Having a Say conference so we will be Senior Practitioner and the Disability Services planning a few surprises for the occasion. Commissioner were also very well attended and received. On a more concerning note this newsletter draws attention to the sorry state of supported accommodation services in Victoria with the release of the Auditor General's report. 2008 VALID This comes at an opportune time given State Parliament Committee of Management has recently announced an inquiry into the state of accommodation services for people with disability and people with mental health issues. VALID applauds this initiative and the strong interest and concern that many Members of Parliament have shown in trying to improve the situation. We are hoping that it will be a full and thorough examination of the issues and also look at the plight of people within Supported Residential Services (SRS’s).

A recent Community Visitor’s report highlighted that the mix of people with intellectual disability, acquired brain injury and mental illness living in SRS's has contributed to a number of serious incidents. When we talk about From left to right .. issues of unmet need we need to remember it is not just the people on the disability support register waiting to get a Tony McDonald service. It is also about people who do not show up in the Paul van Leuween, Vice President figures who are getting inadequate services or substandard Bob Usas (front) treatment that we also need to be concerned about. Michael Porter (back) Lesley O’Loughlin-Schultz Dot Leigh Graham McBride Dot Leigh, President Contents Kevin Stone (Executive Officer) Matt Dunlop, Vice-President Peter Dibbs, Treasurer President's Report ...... 2 Alison Place (not in photo) Auditor Generals report ...... 3 Margaret Quinn (not in photo) CSTDA ...... 4 Michael Porter (left) and VALID 2008 Committee of Management .... 2 Graham McBride (right) are the two members elected by 2008 Having a Say conference ...... 5 the Self Advocacy forum to Parents as Partners ...... 9 be on the VALID Committee of Management. Supported Accommodation...... 11

2 The Auditor’s-General’s Report on Shared Supported Accommodation

...continued from page 1

VALID Says ... Service providers are struggling to meet their existing obligations for supporting residents, The Auditor-General’s Report on Shared Supported particularly in regard to the time required to provide Accommodation (SSA) and related services has once again individualised support. Their capacity to provide highlighted the failure of Government to deliver on the additional individualised support is limited... promises of the State Plan and disability legislation. Like the Performance Audit of 2000, this report exposes the system’s There is considerable variation in staff skills and chronic lack of capacity - and lack of competence. qualifications, which results in variability in It also confirms what everyone has known for many years: service provision... the disability sector is suffering from severe under- investment, cannot address its backlog of unmet needs or its Unmet demand for support future demand, and is having great difficulty maintaining a DHS is unable to provide support for all those requesting stable and appropriately skilled workforce. The report is it (unmet demand is around 1370 people or 30 per cent), timely, given that: State Parliament is about to embark on an yet demand is increasing by around 4 to 5 per cent inquiry into the state of disability accommodation services; annually and DHS has not accurately quantified future the CSTDA is about to be re-negotiated, and; the Federal support needs or the associated need for resources. Government is apparently conceding the need for a fairer The reactive nature of DHS’s response to share of GST revenue for Victoria. accommodation needs, combined with the stringent prioritisation criteria, is likely to continue, and therefore VALID was pleased its Executive Officer, Kevin Stone, was perpetuate a crisis-driven system... invited to provide input and advice to the A-G in preparing this report, and endorses the report’s major findings. Everyone Block funding for SSA in the disability sector is acutely aware of the problems it Funding for SSA is delivered to each service provider identifies, and we’d advise Government not to pretend (per house) in a block, based on the level of support a otherwise. It must own up to the legacy of historical neglect particular house provides. As funding is tied to the and continued under-investment, and get serious about service provider rather than the individual, it reinforces adddressing it. We would also advise people working in a ‘group approach’ to service provision rather than a DHS and the community sector not to become defensive. system that services the needs of the individual... The system’s lack of expertise - e.g. the lack of skill and expertise in implementing policies of person-centred planning Some houses operate from an ‘institution’ mindset, and support - must be tackled head-on. catering for residents’ physical needs rather than operating like a home where residents are At VALID, we believe the problems of the sector will only encouraged to develop an independence limited only be solved by all of us working together collaboratively and by their own capacity. DHS has not assessed the constructively, and we are first to acknowledge the enormous suitability of its houses in regard to the goals of the amount of work and effort that is already taking place to State Disability Plan and the Disability Act 2006. implement the new policy framework of the Disability Act Likewise, operators of CSO houses have not 2006. At the same time, we would be kidding ourselves to assessed the suitability of their houses... believe there is not a long, long way to go, and that unless the issues of capacity and competence are addressed, we are Over the past four years, DHS has created 77 new unlikely ever to get there. facilities to replace unsuitable facilities but has not increased SSA bed capacity. VALID calls on Minister for Community Services, Lisa Neville MP, along with her new Federal colleagues and Individual support plans fellow Victorians, Minister Jenny Macklin, and Parliamentary ... approaches to planning by DHS and CSOs lack Secretary, Bill Shorten, to develop a funding plan that faces consistency and coordination. up to the challenges identified by the Auditor General's The full report is available at the Victorian Auditor damning report. General's Office http://www.audit.vic.gov.au

3 CSTDA Update Communique issued by the meeting of Federal and State Disability Ministers February 1st, 2008

A new era of cooperation on disability services was • Better measurement of current and future need welcomed today in by Commonwealth, for disability services; State and Territory Disability Ministers. • Moving toward national population benchmarks for key disability service types; The meeting, chaired by the Federal Minister for Families, Housing and Community Services and • Making older carers a priority for all disability Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Mackim, and supported by services under the CSTDA; Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and • Quality improvements systems based on the Children’s Services, Bill Shorten, marked the start of National Disability Service Standards for all talks on the fourth Commonwealth State and CSTDA services; Territory Disability Agreement (CSTDA 4). • Improved service planning and strategies to The Ministers formally agreed to the key priority simplify access to services under the CSTDA; areas which will guide the development of the • Focusing on early intervention, lifelong planning Agreement. and increasing the independence and social participation of people with a disability Also on the agenda was the development of the • Improved workforce capacities, and; Australian Government’s National Disability Strategy, which will provide leadership in disability • Access to services by Indigenous people with policy and draw on the experience of States and disabilities Territories. Ministers agreed to progress specific initiatives in The National Disability Strategy and the CSTDA 4 relation to autism and also reported back on the discussions are also vehicles through which progression of the young people with disabilities in Ministers can work together on the eight key priority residential aged care COAG initiative. areas identified by Labor at the election: The Disability Ministers have agreed to meet again in March to continue work on the new agreement.

VALID is continuing to focus its attention on the re-negotiation of the CSTDA, and will maintain a presence at all Federal / State meetings, along with its allies in the CSTDA Alliance.

For further information and updates visit:

www.cstdaalliance.org.au

Federal Parliamentary secretary, Bill Shorten meets with disability advocates prior to CSTDA meeting. 4 Having a Say conference 2008 'Being the Change'

'Well done, inspirational and encouraging, giving hope to all.' J. Thornburn

The Conference Dinner/Disco goes Hawaiian

Having a Say is back in Geelong for 1,000+ REGISTRATIONS 2009 With overwhelming demand from delegates The 2008 HaS Conference was the most successful HaS 2009 conference will be back at ... yet with over 1,000 delegates attending over the 3 days, 6th to 8th of February 2008. Costa Hall, Deakin University Waterfront Campus, Geelong VALID and the HaS Organising Committee would 4th to 6th February 2009 like to thank the delegates and volunteers of the conference for their support in making the Having a Lock these dates into your diaries because Having a Say conference the largest and most successful Say 2009 promises to be a very special event, conference for people with disabilities in Australia. celebrating the 10th anniversary of the HaS conference and the 20th anniversary of VALID!

5 'This conference gives us all the opportunity to grow, to change, to practice'

'That's what this conference is all about. Learning about the new choices we have, learning about how we speak up for ourselves to make people listen to what we want and help us to get what we want.'

'Being the change means ... we now have a better chance to speak up for ourselves if we take' it.' Ingrid Hindell, Conference Organising Committee

'I liked my role as vice chair but Dreams and Aspirations seeing first hand delegates enjoying themselves was the best thing' Gary Webster

'The Conference .. Getting better and better.'

Red Faces

'I like it. I am going back next year, friendly staff, friendly peoples.'

6 Come and Try Activities

'This conference gives us an opportunity to be the change by doing the come and try activities, by speaking on "Open Mike" .. by listening to the speakers in the workshops'

'The opportunity to network with like minded people and the chance to exchange information.' Les Scaife, UK

Workshops and Performances

Quotes from conference presentations by “At the meetings I have learned how to speak up the Regional Self Advocacy Networks for myself”.

“I like going to the Client Network meetings “Sometimes when I have to speak up for myself I because it gives me the chance to make a feel a bit anxious and uncomfortable, but difference and to have a say. I also enjoy afterwards I feel proud of myself and I want to do socialising with other people from the Eastern it more and more”. Region”. “Speaking up for myself gives me confidence, Ads from the Eastern Client Network it makes me feel good about myself and that is what the Client Networks are all about”. “I enjoy going to the Client Network meetings because I like talking about how I feel” Daniel Mammone from the Southern Client Network

7 in Control Dinner / Disco Simon Duffy One of the many highlights of this year’s conference was the keynote presentation by Simon Duffy, CEO of inControl U.K. VALID was keen for Simon to visit Victoria and help us along the path towards greater self determination. His message was overwhelmingly well-received by people with disabilities and families as well as by Disability Services Division and (most) service providers. Thanks Simon!

in Control for Self-Directed Support and Individual Budgets in Control is helping to change the system of social care. The problem with the system now is that many people are not in charge of their own support or life. in Control is making a new system - people know what they are entitled to and can control their money as much as they want. This system is called Self-Directed Support. 'Loved the disco. The food was great. Loved the in Control chicken and potatoes.' Believes people who need support can control their own lives and be full citizens - using Individual Budgets as part of their Self-Directed Support. 'Great way to get the clients out of People in control their comfort zone. Fantastic! And in Control is a unique partnership between families, they are still talking about it.' individuals, services, local authorities, Government and many other organisations. All these people are working together to define best practice in Self- 'It wasn't boring, I learnt stuff - Directed Support and Individual Budgets - and change the whole system. how not to be shy' Simon's conference presentations can be found at http://homepage.mac.com/simonduffy/Menu3.html Open Mike (Simon Duffy documents/Temporary files)

'Thoroughly enjoyed the keynote speaker and the on stage entertainment.' Simon Duffy 8 Parents as Partners

The Parents as Partners was launched in Knowing a person's interests and preferences February 2006 and is aimed at supporting the We challenged assumptions. State Plan Vision through strengthening the role of What works and what doesn't work (and why) Parents as Partners in Advocacy, Empowerment Belonging - friendships and relationships - making and Planning. maps. Who is important PATH Workshops All culminating in Images of a desirable future. PATH is a person centred planning tool to Where do we want to go - why - how? graphically map out a desirable future for an All of this leads to writing in detail an essential individual with or without disability. Part of the lifestyle plan. Then on to writing up a specific unique strength of this process is the colourful visual record that is created which is dynamic, individual personal "Path" map on paper. affirming, motivating and action orientated. PATH specifies achievable goals and clarifies the first "Path" is a tool to help plan for the future by steps for their implementation. developing a large graphic chart that records what people are saying. Summary of workshops by Tony McDonald This series of workshops was both timely and What are the benefits of Path? relevant for me because we have reached a change point of life relating to age of both ourselves and • It clarifies for you what you want to do - when - our son, and to general family dynamics, so how - who will help you decisions for a new future need to be made over the • It provides focus next few months. • Helps you remain on target • Records ideas Over the years I've been to many workshops and • Is a visual record - it is written down conferences, but these have been the most objective and useful that I have ever attended, and I wish that • It gives direction they had been available years ago. They have been • You can see what is being said so logical. • It has creative solutions • It is a reminder of what has been said My Goal was to develop a personal pathway into • It lists who will assist you the future both for my son and for our family. To have a dream - a vision - and bring it to reality. • It gives you the Big Picture - the small picture - Step by Step. Planning together • You can refer back to it any time. The Plan has to be practical and positive, clear, down to earth, do-able and the results were to be Tony McDonald recorded. It is important to plan with the person, not just for him. The Parents as Partners project group have been taking ‘a journey’ using Person-Centred Planning training & other information/training in conjunction These are some of the things we considered and with Parent to Parent Queensland. made posters about - The parents and allies involved have built Who is this person? (2 posters, 1 for me, 1 for my connections, shared experiences and developed a son) Under the headings of Gifts, Capacities, ‘person-centred plan’ to support the dreams and Strengths, Interests, Skills aspirations of their family member with a disability.

What gets us stuck - and what keeps us stuck.? For more information contact Christine Scott at VALID, Recognising "resignation" so we can move on. 9416 4003

9 Letter from Centrelink .. Problems in Communication

Excerpts from parent letter. Dear Mr. Shorten, Parliamentary Secretary for Disability * The letter is signed by two Ministers, namely Jenny Macklin Services and - But I wonder if they even knew about the letter or have even read it, given the ineffective -ness of the Re: Communication Shortcomings From Centerlink communication and errors contained therein I write as a parent of .. an adult intellectually disabled * Why can’t a letter like this be signed by a real person person who is in receipt of Centerlink benefits. Attached within the Department who gives a name and telephone below is a copy of a two page letter from the Australian number? - Even giving the Ministers’ names is not quite Government and Centerlink sent .. in the last few days. right as when I rang Jenny Macklin’s office I was told to contact you! This letter is a typical example of letters and other communications that come out of Centerlink and other ...Communications strategy should not be left to Department Government Departments. The standard of these Heads who seem to delegate dealing with their customers to communications has deteriorated over the past ten or more a low level and who never take personal responsibility for years of the previous Government, who never seemed to take their Departments’ ineffective communications. ... responsibility for effective communication by their Departments ... Brian Johnstone Full copy of letter available at www.valid.org.au The points I make about the current letter are as follows: * The letterhead includes Australian Government and NB: Brian has advised us that Bill Shorten has personally Centerlink logos - But has no address and no telephone contacted him to discuss these complaints, which is an contact number and no heading about what it is all about enouraging sign. Let's hope it's followed up!

VALID Resources and HaS REINFORCE Memorabilia Self Advocacy Training

Having a Say T-Shirts This training is about self advocacy and has been Available in the following designed for people with intellectual disabilities living sizes and colours: in Victoria. It was made to give you the tools to Small green only advocate for yourself and give you knowledge about Medium, black and green your rights. Large, black and green Cost $20 includes GST and postage These 27 training modules were developed by Reinforce Inc. Reinforce is a self advocacy group of people with intellectual disabilities from Melbourne, who work to make things better for everyone in Having a Say DVD Victoria. Available soon Cost $11 (includes GST and postage) It is broken up into a series of sections or modules. Each module tackles a different subject. You do not need to do the entire training from module 1 to 27, you can pick and choose the modules that will help you Resource posters and just do them, in what ever order you want. It is View or download VALID self made to be delivered to people by trainers. These advocacy posters at www.valid.org.au trainers are other people with intellectual disabilities or contact the VALID office to order who have been through this training themselves. (posters available in either A4 or A3 printed in full colour and laminated) For further information contact Reinforce Ph: 03 9416 4003 Phone: 03 9650 7855 Fax: 03 9639 4004 email: [email protected]

10 Supported Accommodation

Parliamentary Inquiry

The Family and Community Development Committee of the Victorian Parliamentary Legislative Council will be conducting an inquiry into the provision of supported accommodation for Victorians with a disability and/or mental illness.

It will be making its report no later than 30 June 2009 and, in particular, will be considering the current situation in Victoria and compare it to best practice in other jurisdictions regarding:

(a) the standard and range of accommodation currently available; (b) the extent of accommodation and services currently available, including the different models for service delivery and funding; (c) the methods for measuring unmet demand for accommodation and how these can be improved; (d) the process for managing service quality; (e) availability of sufficient accommodation to meet future demand with an appropriate range of services; (f) access and service issues for particular groups, including rural communities, culturally and linguistically diverse communities and ; and (g) the impact on families of the current service provision of accommodation; and for the purpose of this inquiry ‘supported accommodation’ means public and private accommodation provided for people with a disability or mental illness who need additional support services but excludes mental health treatment services (SEC, PARC) and the disability forensic program (SFS).

11 ‘Exploring the Possibilities: Post School Options for Young People with a Disability’

This handy Resource Guide provides young people with a disability and their families with information and advice on the transition from school to the world of higher education, training & employment and specialist & community-based options.

Published by VALID and supported by Disability Services, DHS.

Available for download in pdf format from www.valid.org.au (under publications/books)

‘When is a House a Home?’

This landmark report by Alan Robertson, Patsie Frawley & Chris Bigby talks about how residential services can make ‘homes’ rather than ‘facilities’ and ‘mini-institutions’.

This report is an important part of the Making Life Good in the Community Project being conducted by La Trobe University to support the community inclusion of former Kew Residential Services residents.

Disclaimer All information contained within VALID News is as accurate Copies are available of Exploring the as possible and is provided in good faith, however it is not Possibilities and When is a House a Home guaranteed. VALID does not recommend any product, activity, organisation, service or item - such details are provided within from the VALID office, ph: 03 9416 4003, VALID News for general information and interest only. email [email protected] 12