Department of Human Services

Victorian Disability ServicesVictorian Disability Services

A Positive Future for People with a Disability

The Great Debate

23 September 2009

The transformation challenge

Institutions

Programs

Needs met in special environments or facilities

Supporting people as part of their community• Participation• Autonomy and choice• Combinations of supports• Tangible social connections

Building the foundationsBuilding the foundations• UN Convention on Rights of Persons

with Disabilities

• Victorian State Disability Plan 2002-2012

• Disability Act 2006

• Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities 2006

Themes of transformation

• Addressing disadvantage

• Enabling choice and control based on a self-directed approach

• Shifting the power to the service user

• Supporting an agile and sustainable industry

• Quality improvement based on outcomes

The principlesThe principles • All services are coordinated to intervene

early and promote social inclusion• Family well being and resilience is

strengthened• Services are responsive, accessible and

integrated• People with a disability, families and

support networks have greater involvement in designing and managing their own supports

The principles (cont’d)The principles (cont’d)• Disability Services complement rather

than replace mainstream and informal supports

• Support is provided through transition periods

• Services and supports are accessible and appropriate

• Best interests of children and young people are paramount

The principles in practiceThe principles in practice• Quality Framework for Disability

Services in Victoria

• Victorian Industry Development Plan

• Reorientation of support approaches to enable greater choice and flexibility

• Policy work to support early intervention and improved approaches to planning

The principles in practice The principles in practice (cont’d)(cont’d)• Capacity building: individual,

organisational and community• Support to carers• New, more suitable housing and support

options• Timely access to:

health & community services education & pre/employment equipment & enabling technology transport services criminal justice

Sam’s Story: Sam’s Story: Principles in practicePrinciples in practice

Before After

Lived in shared supported accommodation (SSA) for 20 years

After 20 years in an SSA, moved into a private rental property

Limited capacity to make own decisions

Sam feels more in control of his own life & has greater confidence

Family happy with the status quo Sam’s family actively support his choices

Service providers happy with the status quo

Service providers work together to ensure that Sam’s goals and aspirations are supported

Behaviours of concern Behaviours of concern significantly reduced

Few friends New friends

Group outings are the predominant way to access the community

Is out and about in the community

ConclusionConclusion