Home and Living Reference Group meeting bulletin – 30 October 2024
The Independent Advisory Council (IAC) Home and Living Reference Group (Reference Group) met online on 30 October 2024. They discussed:
what they have heard in their communities
the proposed refresh of the NDIA Home and Living Framework
the Agency’s co-design work related to home and living.
Ms Leah van Poppel, IAC Principal Member led the meeting. Dr Leighton Jay was Co-chair.
What members have heard in their communities
Members were encouraged that the Agency has been holding public information sessions about NDIS legislation changes, which have been well attended. Members reported the community still feel unease and confusion about how changes will be implemented. Members called for more information sessions, and improved change management and communications from the Agency. They want more information about the legislation in Easy Read and video formats. The Agency noted that there is a dedicated FAQs page about legislative changes which is regularly updated, based on questions participants and supporters are raising.
Members encouraged the Agency to educate the community about their home and living options. They called for clearer communications and information that is ideally developed through co-design. The Agency agreed that consistent information and messaging is important, including from the National Contact Centre. Members noted that recent misinformation from some service providers, particularly plan managers, has not been helpful. This has added to participants’ uncertainty about which supports can be claimed.
Members are concerned that group homes and congregate care arrangements appear to still dominate home and living supports in participant plans. They highlighted that the community needs more than available housing, and that additional supports are as important. The Agency noted Member concerns and stated it does not favour one type of home and living support over another.
Members noted general concerns in the community related to home and living supports. They shared community reports of cuts in plan funding and over reliance on traditional housing options. There are concerns the Agency encourages 12-month plans over longer term plans, which create more work for planners and stress for participants. They also reported with recent changes some people are worried about making a mistake in how they are using their plan.
Members praised the Agency’s work in its consultation process on the NDIS Provider and Worker Registration Taskforce, noting the community is grateful for the Agency’s leadership on self-directed registration. They acknowledge the Agency’s willingness to listen to alternate views and take them on.
NDIA Home and Living Framework
The Agency shared progress on the NDIA Home and Living Framework. Members praised the Framework’s strengths. They advised the need for a better alignment between the NDIS Act, the NDIS Review recommendations, and home and living supports the NDIS funds, ensuring the Framework reflects the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
Members said that much has changed since the last consultation period, including housing prices, and called for more consultation opportunities. The Agency welcomed recommendations on how to better consult with the community.
Home and Living Co-design
The Agency said its co-design work and focus on home and living reforms continues, and that it welcomes diverse community voices. Members called on the Agency to consult with people who live in group homes as part of its engagement. Members called for better representation of issues related to people with psychosocial disabilities, noting the importance of the unique nature of their supports. Members want to hear about future co-design projects in advance.
More information on the Reference Group
The Home and Living Reference Group will next meet in 2025. Find out more about IAC and Reference Group meetings and bulletins at the IAC website.
Information in Easy Read
You can also read this bulletin in Easy Read: