VICTORIAN NRCP SERVICES NETWORK BEST PRACTICE FORUM 21 JULY 2010

1. VICTORIAN NRCP SERVICES NETWORKBEST PRACTICE FORUM21 JULY 2010 MARJORIE McBROOM MANAGER, CLIENT & CARER SERVICES AGED & COMMUNITY CARE VICTORIA

2. AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT CARETAKER CONVENTIONS • ELECTION ON 21 AUGUST 2010 • The Caretaker period commenced at 5pm on Monday, 19 July 2010 when the current Parliament was dissolved – it continues until the election result is clear or, if there is a change of government, until the new government is appointed. • During the caretaker period the regular business of government continues and ordinary matters of administration are still addressed where necessary. However, the Caretaker Conventions are such that a government avoids: • making major policy decisions which are likely to commit an incoming government; • making significant appointments; and • entering major contracts or undertakings; • Except where urgent decisions must be made, in which case the Conventions provide for consultation with the Opposition.

3. NATIONAL CARER RECOGNITION FRAMEWORK • Response to the Who Cares…? Report on the inquiry into better support for carers • Comprises: • Commonwealth Carer Recognition Legislation • National Carer Strategy • Carer Recognition Bill was tabled 17 March 2010 but was not debated • Further action must await decision of incoming Government

4. CONSUMER DIRECTED CARE • Applications for 500 CDC places opened to existing Packaged Care Approved Providers and to CRCCs on 1 May 2010 - closed 31 May 2010 • 182 applications: 40 for CDC Respite places with remaining 142 applications for 3,500 Packaged Care places • Given this level of ‘subscription’ the assessment process is lengthy but nearing completion • CDC will be evaluated throughout its implementation

5. IMPROVING AGED CARE FOR FORGOTTEN AUSTRALIANS • DEVELOPING A NATIONAL EDUCATION PACKAGE FOR SERVICE PROVIDERS • Formal PM statement of Apology 16 November 2009 • Forgotten Australians include care leavers, former child migrants and people from the Stolen Generations. Care leaver means a person who was in institutional care or other form of out-of-home care, including foster care, as a child or youth (or both) at some time during the 20th century • Abandonment/loss /grief/neglect/exploitation/mistreatment/abuse • Among the initiatives announced, care leavers were identified as a special needs group for aged care purposes, • Ensure that providers are assisted to offer care that is appropriate and responsive to this group.

6. IMPROVING AGED CARE FOR FORGOTTEN AUSTRALIANS 2 The experiences of Forgotten Australians while in institutional or out-of-home care may affect their ongoing well-being and have an impact on those who need to access aged care services or enter an aged care facility later in life. • Healthcare Management Advisors (HMA) has been engaged by the DOHA to undertake the first stage of the development of the National Education Package to determine what the package should include and how it will be presented to best inform and educate service providers. • Reference Group formed and Focus groups will proceed in each capital city as well as Ballarat and Launceston from 26 July 2010 • Written submissions can be made from 26 July – 9 August 2010 • Attendance can be booked: forgottenaustralians@hma.com.au and more detail, including how to lodge submissions at:tp://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/ageing-rescare-forgotten-aust.htm

7. COMPETENCY BASED TRAINING PROJECT • For CRCC co-ordination & intake staff • 2008 one-off grant • Standardised training; appropriate skill levels; assist induction of new staff • Nationally applicable: Community Services & Health Industry Skills Council (the ISC) is the national body responsible for the Training Package for Community Services (CHC08)

8. COMPETENCY BASED SKILLS PROJECT 2 • CHC08 provides a national skills framework for the community service industry • It surveyed all CRCCs and added 3 new competency units: • Telephone communication skills to assess caller’s needs • Conduct assessment of carer’s needs • Facilitate access to information & services to support carers to meet their needs

9. COMPETENCY BASED SKILLS PROJECT 3 • ISC to seek national industry comment on 3 units @Certificate 1V level • Four forums: NSW QLD WA and • MELBOURNE: 5 August 2010 @ Citigate 270 Flinders Street • Any relevant industry stakeholders may attend – not just CRCC staff

10. COMPETENCY BASED SKILLS PROJECT 4 • Go to the ISC website for information, to look at who should attend and to register • https://www.cshisc.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=502&Itemid=162 • Once units endorsed material from them and the Training Package can see training begin • An Induction manual is also being developed and drafts have been circulated to CRCCs

11. NRCP NATIONAL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT PROCESS • Current program Guidelines are current as at 2004 • DOHA is developing a structured set of guidelines and operating procedures for service providers, Centres and Departmental staff • Service providers will have seen some of this already via the pre-populated FARs and there are more developments to come

12. NRCP NATIONAL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT PROCESS 2 UNDER DEVELOPMENT: • High Level Program Guidelines have been drafted • Service provider Guidelines are being drafted and there will be consultation with NRCP service providers • Standard Operating procedures for Departmental officers on internal administrative procedures are being drafted • CRCC Guidelines will be available shortly

13. NRCP NATIONAL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT PROCESS 3 THE CENTRES OPERATIONAL MANUAL • In June 2009, Urbis was contracted to update and revise the 2006 Centre Guidelines for Information Support Services and Carer Respite and Support Services • Consultations occurred with CRCC Managers and staff • We anticipate the manual will be available to Centres via the CCCIS (Commonwealth Carelink Centres Information System) Bulletin Board by the end of July 2010.

14. CRCC OPERATIONAL MANUAL • NOTE: Re-focus of Manual’s name: • More Operational focus, and will include clarification about policies and inclusion of new/additional policies, such as use of brokerage funds for emergency and short term respite, police checks, quality reporting and so on.

15. CRCC OPERATIONAL MANUAL 2 MAIN CHANGES: • A re-ordering of the information to better reflect the integration of the Commonwealth Carelink Centres and the Commonwealth Carer Respite Centres (for example the functions of referral, outreach and engagement, support services to information partners, and respite service development and advice are applicable to both the information function and the respite support function of Centres) • More information about the target groups for the National Respite for Carers Program and eligibility for respite support through Centres

16. CRCC OPERATIONAL MANUAL 3 MAIN CHANGES CONT. • A clearer explanation of the purpose and use of brokerage funding, and what constitutes short term respite and emergency respite • More case scenarios to guide interpretation of relevant sections • More information about police checks, quality reporting, complaints mechanisms, and brokerage agreements between Centres and service providers • Inclusion of the Questions and Answers from the previous guidelines in the main body of the manual

17. CRCC OPERATIONAL MANUAL 4 MAIN CHANGES CONT: • Inclusion of the FAQs about the CCCIS from the previous guidelines in the main body of the manual • An appendix for Frequently Asked Questions for future issues. • NOTE: Feedback was also sought from the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.

18. NRCP BEST PRACTICE FORUM21 JULY 2010 • FINALLY...... ANY QUESTIONS...?