The National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy – Aims

and instruments

Debbie Mitchell

Branch Manager

Participation Policy Branch

7 December 2009

Policy Framework – Social Inclusion The Australian Government’s vision of a socially inclusive society is one in which all Australians feel valued and have the opportunity to participate fully in the life of our society.

Resources, opportunities and capabilities to: Learn - participate in education and training; Work - participate in employment, unpaid or voluntary

work including family and carer responsibilities; Engage - connect with people, use local services and

participate in local, cultural, civic and recreational activities; and

Have a voice - influence decisions that affect them.

Social Inclusion Priorities

jobless families with children; children at greatest risk of long term disadvantage; locational disadvantage; homelessness; employment for people living with disability or mental

illness; and closing the gap for Indigenous Australians

National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy: Overview

• National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy released on 14 September 2009

• Strategy objective is to increase the employment of people with disability and promote social inclusion

• Aims to address the barriers faced by people with disability that make it harder for them to gain and keep work

• You can access a copy of the Strategy by visiting www.deewr.gov.au/employmentstrategy

The need for a Strategy• The rate of employment for people with disability and

mental illness is lower than that of those without disability

• DSP recipient numbers have risen by 36 per cent over the past 10 years, to more than 750,000 people

• People with mental illness have higher rates of unemployment and lower labour force participation rates than those with physical disability

The consultation processFace to Face

• thirteen community consultations

• Over 700 individuals, 380 organisations

Written submissions

• discussion paper released in April 2008

• over 300 written submissions

Strategy governance• Jointly overseen by Minister for Employment

Participation and Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services

• Strategy Advisory Committee comprising: peak consumer organisations; peak provider organisations; employer groups; trade union organisations; and other relevant experts.

Setting the Direction for the Strategy

• Setting the Direction paper released in December 2008:• synthesised the findings of the consultation process• outlined the approach the Government would take• detailed elements which had already been achieved

or were being implemented

Priority areas• Engaging people with disability

• Improving disability employment services

• Providing better access to education and training

• Supporting and encouraging employers

• Improving public sector employment of people with disability

• Pursuing innovative strategies

Strategy highlights• the new Disability Employment Services, including the new

Employment Assistance Fund

• further work on the vision for Australian Disability Enterprises

• implementation of the Disability Support Pension Employment Incentive Pilot

• improving employment of people with disability in the Australian Public Service

• implementation of Innovation Fund projects that address barriers to employment for people with disability.

Employment of people with disability in the Australian Public ServiceAs part of the Strategy the Australian Public Service Commission will:

establish and support disability networks of employers and employees

develop training and best practice advice for APS agencies and managers

ask APS agencies to consider an appropriate target for employment of people with a disability, over the next 12 months.

New Disability Employment Services• Services to commence from 1 March 2010

• All services to be uncapped

• Eligibility criteria simplified

• Fee structure targets resources to those most in need

Assistance provided by services• Program A and Program B

• Employment Pathway Plan

• Post-placement support

Employment Assistance Fund• New Employment Assistance Fund (EAF)

• From 1 March 2010, the EAF will merge resources from the Workplace Modifications Scheme and the Auslan for Employment program to make it easier for employers to access assistance when employing people with disability.

• People with disability will be able to access the financial assistance, along with employers and employment service providers.

• There will be a broader range of support for people with mental illness and less restrictive rules applied to the fund e.g.$1500 per year available for Mental Health First Aid training

DSP Employment Incentive Pilot• $3000 wage subsidy paid to employer after 26

weeks of employment of at least 8 hours per week

• Provides a financial incentive for employers to hire people in receipt of DSP

• 1000 DSP recipients will benefit

• Begins on 1 March 2010 and concludes on 29 February 2012

National Disability Strategy• Aim of the NDS:

increase the social, economic and cultural participation of people with disability

eliminate the discrimination they experience improve disability support services for families and carers

• Deliver a whole-of-government, whole-of-life approach to disability planning

• Due for release in 2010

4th National Mental Health Plan• 4th National Mental Health Plan released on 13

November 2009

• Plan provides a basis for cross-portfolio, integrated approach to mental health

• Action areas: Social inclusion and recovery prevention and early intervention service access, coordination and continuity of care quality improvement and innovation accountability – measuring and reporting progress