Responsible Minister: Minister for Disability Services The Hon Bob Kucera APM JP MLA (March 2005–October 2005) The Hon Mark McGowan MLA (October 2005) The Hon Margaret Quirk MLA (November 2005–May 2006) The Hon John D’Orazio MLA (May 2006) The Hon Tony McRae MLA (From May 2006) Accountable Authority: Disability Services Commission Disability Services Commission Barry MacKinnon Board Chairperson: Director General: Dr Ruth Shean Address: Central Administration Building Disability Services House 146–160 Colin Street WEST PERTH 6005 Contact: Phone: (08) 9426 9200 TTY: (08) 9426 9315 Fax: (08) 9226 2306 Email: [email protected] Website: www.dsc.wa.gov.au Country callers: 1800 998 214 Australian Business Number: 36 922 715 369 THIS REPORT IS AVAILABLE IN ALTERNATIVE FORMATS ON REQUEST This Annual Report provides comprehensive data on the number and characteristics of Western Australians with disabilities and their families/carers who have accessed disability support services funded or provided by the Disability Services Commission during 2005–2006, together with the cost of providing these services. The data on service users in this report have been contributed by 119 external service providers, as well as the Commission’s three service-providing directorates. In all, some 946 individual service outlets collect data which are recorded on 37,946 service records for this purpose. This represents an enormous effort by the service providers, and the 100 per cent response rate, which is exceptional, is evidence of the commitment and professionalism of the field. The data are tested against 73 computer logic tests to confirm their accuracy. The information generated provides objective data for accountability purposes and to inform long-term planning and policy development. The following considerations are important: 9 the data are collected according to national requirements and, therefore, are not completely congruent with Western Australian reporting requirements. Thus, variance from year to year can sometimes reflect changes in the national reporting framework rather than genuine variances in service delivery; 9 the data collected are dependent upon the availability of data, the consistency of data coding and entry as well as the subjectivity and discretion that is essential within a diverse and complex field of service delivery. Thus, once again, variance from year to year may not necessarily reflect genuine variances in service delivery; and 9 while the Commission contracts external agencies to provide services, it is difficult to separate government funded disability services from those services provided with other funds or supports, such as volunteers. Thus, data from external providers may not always give a direct reflection of services purchased. The Commission works collaboratively with the disability sector to provide training and support in this enormous, collective task. This area is subject to ongoing development and refinements. The Disability Services Commission was awarded the Bronze Lonnie Award for Distinguished Achievement in Accountability through Annual Reporting for its 2004-2005 Annual Report, as part of the 2005 WS Lonnie Awards for excellence in annual reporting by public sector agencies. HON MINISTER FOR DISABILITY SERVICES ANNUAL REPORT 2005–2006 In accordance with the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1985 (Section 66), we hereby submit for your information and presentation to Parliament, the Annual Report of the Disability Services Commission for the financial year ending 30 June 2006. The Annual Report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1985. Barry MacKinnon CHAIRPERSON DISABILITY SERVICES COMMISSION BOARD Bruce Langoulant BOARD MEMBER, CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD AUDIT AND RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE DISABILITY SERVICES COMMISSION BOARD 7 September 2006 Table of Contents 1. 2005–2006 Overview 1 2. The Disability Services Commission 3 2.1 Legislative Functions 3 2.2 Strategic Framework 3 2.2.1 Better Planning: Better Services (BPBS) – A Strategic Planning 3 Framework for the Western Australian Public Sector 2.2.2 Disability Services Commission Strategic Plan 2006 to 2010 6 2.3 Structure 9 2.3.1 The Disability Services Commission Board 11 2.3.2 The Corporate Executive 14 2.3.3 Staff of the Disability Services Commission 15 3. The Chairperson’s Report 17 4. The Director General’s Report 19 5. Statement of Compliance 21 6. Customer Focus, Access and Equity 23 6.1 Customer Profile and Trends 23 6.2 Access to Services 33 6.3 Disability Services Standards 34 6.4 Complaints Handling 35 6.5 Consumer Survey 38 6.6 Cultural Diversity and Language Service Outcomes 40 6.7 Disability Access and Inclusion Plan Outcomes 42 6.8 Substantive Equality 42 6.9 Youth Outcomes 45 6.10 Community Education 46 7. Overview of Operations 49 8. Service Reports 57 8.1 Accommodation Support 57 8.2 Individual and Family Support 66 8.3 Individual Coordination 78 8.4 Strategic Coordination 85 9. Human Resources 91 9.1 Staff Recognition 91 9.2 Staff Profile 91 9.3 Occupational Safety and Health 93 9.4 Workforce Planning and Development 94 9.5 Employee Relations, Workplace Bargaining and Change 95 APPENDICES 97 1 Performance Indicators 97 2 Financial Statements 108 3 Funding to External Service Providers 146 4 Compliance Reports 149 BPBS Goal 3 The Environment 4.1 Energy Smart Government Policy 149 4.2 Waste Paper Recycling 150 BPBS Goal 4 The Regions 4.3 Regional Development Policy 150 BPBS Goal 5 Governance 4.4 Advertising and Sponsorship 151 4.5 Compliance with Public Sector Standards and Ethical Codes 151 4.6 Corruption Prevention 152 4.7 Equal Employment Opportunity 152 4.8 Evaluations 154 4.9 Information Statement 154 4.10 Public Interest Disclosures 155 4.11 Recordkeeping Plans 155 4.12 Sustainability 157 5 Research and Development 158 6 New Publications and Resources 164 7 Ministerial Advisory Council on Disability 167 8 Glossary and List of Abbreviations 173 Feedback form 177 1. 2005–2006 Overview 9 Assisted 19,632 Western Australians with disabilities. 9 Invested $305.4 million to advance the rights and support the needs of Western Australians with disabilities—an 8.4 per cent increase on last year. 9 Sourced $257.1 million from the State Government (84 per cent of the Commission’s budget). This included the appropriation of $244.6 million from the State Budget. 9 Received Australian Government funding of $48.3 million under the Commonwealth State Territory Disability Agreement (16 per cent of the Commission’s budget). 9 Allocated $163.6 million (54 per cent of the budget) to 119 external service providers for services and support for Western Australians with disabilities and their carers. Operational Highlights 9 Developed the Commission’s third five-year Strategic Plan 2006–2010. 9 Developed partnerships with Manguri and Marr Mooditj to increase recruitment of Aboriginal direct care staff, including ‘blended sessions’ for new staff at the Commission and health workers at Marr Mooditj. 9 Established the Country Resource and Consultancy Team for the South West region to train and support local therapists to provide therapy intervention for children and adults with disabilities. 9 Implemented the new Remote Area Strategy with projects in the Western Desert, Fitzroy Valley and Murchison to increase the support available to people with disabilities, enabling them to remain in their local communities. 9 Established therapy centres in Wembley and Rockingham to provide local support for early childhood development and early intervention autism services. 9 Implemented the bilateral agreement with the Australian Government on respite for older carers. 9 Developed a strategic framework with the Department of Sport and Recreation for inclusive sport and recreation for people with disabilities. 9 Implemented the Covering WA project which has seen the expansion of service provider availability to most parts of the State. 9 Conducted ‘The Way Forward’ Disability Symposium in Western Australia for the disability sector. Disability Services Commission Annual Report 2005–2006 1 1. 2005–2006 Overview Budget allocation across Services 2005-2006 Strategic Coordination Individual $13.8m Coordination 4% of budget $29.7m 10% of budget Individual and Accommodation Family Support Support $88.1m $173.8m 29% of budget 57% of budget 9 Implemented the Shared Management Model as a guide for individuals, families and service providers to work together in different ways to administer and manage individual services and support. 9 Expanded Local Area Coordination (LAC) into the Indian Ocean Territories. 9 Successfully transferred 45 individual/family support options to non-government organisations, thereby reducing the management and coordination responsibilities of families. 9 Implemented the Commission’s Access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People Policy and Practice which provided cultural awareness training for staff in metropolitan and regional areas, and developed a video program to assist disability service providers to deliver culturally appropriate services. 9 Continued implementation of the You’re Welcome—WA Access Initiative with Subiaco and Bassendean councils and the Department of Environment and Conservation joining as You’re Welcome partners. 9 Developed the Count Us In! curriculum support package for teachers to use with students from kindergarten to Year 12 to develop their knowledge and understanding of disability. 9 Commenced implementation of Disability Access and