Category: EFA Newsletters

In this edition

• Revealing our new brand!
• Upcoming Training
• Findings of platform providers Inquiry
• NDIS Explore Tool updated
• Updated Code of Conduct

Revealing our new brand!

We have some exciting changes happening at EFA, we are relaunching our brand with a new name “Engels Floyd Quality Consulting” and a website refresh which is coming soon. 

Don’t worry, our team will still be delivering quality tailored support to NDIS providers in a way that best meets their needs as we have been doing since 2012. Our core mission and dedication to ethical and individualised client service will always remain the same.

Upcoming Training

We’re thrilled to announce our upcoming interactive online training workshop, presented by our incredible Technical Manager, Patty Wassenaar who has decades of auditing experience.

If you’re looking to stay ahead in the NDIS landscape, this workshop is tailor-made for you! Our upcoming workshop, Introduction to Internal Audits, will provide you with the essential information about planning and conducting internal audits.

This workshop will cover:

• Developing / managing audit program
• Audit planning
• Conducting the audit
• Reporting and corrective actions

You will also be provided with a workbook and mini toolkit providing some useful tools and information to help you with your internal audit program including templates such as audit schedules.

Introduction to Internal Audits!
10 November 2023 – 9am – 12:00pm AEDT
Register Here

NDIS Explore Tool updated

Explore Data is an interactive tool to help NDIS providers find information about participant type, reporting periods, location or support class and category.

The data is grouped into three sections: Participant Data, Market Data and Provider Data.

• Participant Data: is about NDIS participants, including total number of participants, average committed supports and average payments.
• Market Data: is about the NDIS market, including information on provider concentration, total payments, total committed supports, and utilisation.
• Provider Data: is about providers, including information on active providers, participants per provider, provider growth and provider shrinkage.

The NDIS Commission have updated the data from quarter four of financial year 2022-23 in their Explore Tool.

We encourage NDIS providers to explore this invaluable tool in conducting market research to inform strategic and business planning. 

At EFA we have an NDIS business planning and marketing expert that is available to help you with business and market planning. If you are interested please contact us on 0478 616 207 or info@engelsfloyd.com for a complimentary consultation.

Updated Code of Conduct

The NDIS Code of Conduct promotes safe and ethical service delivery by setting out expectations for the conduct of both NDIS providers and workers.

The NDIS Commission has provided an updated Code of Conduct guidance document focused on cracking down on sharp practices such as price differentiation, where a provider charges NDIS participants a higher price for the same product, support or service compared with other customers.

There is also updated guidance for NDIS providers in conducting when advertising their business for sale and engaging in sale negotiations.

We encourage all NDIS providers to read the NDIS Code of Conduct guidance document and become aware of its contents. If you are in need of NDIS provider support in the areas of  quality management, compliance or business planning  please contact us on 0478 616 207 or info@engelsfloyd.com for a complimentary consultation.

Passionate experts in quality improvement for disability & human services. Supporting all States and Territories.

In this edition

• Welcome Hannah Odorcic to the EFA team!
• Dangers of purchasing ‘off the shelf’ NDIS policies and procedures
• Key Points Arising from the Commission’s Latest NDIS Quarterly Report
• Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) Changes

Welcome Hannah Odorcic to the EFA team

We are delighted to announce that Hannah Odorcic has joined our team as the new Marketing Manager at EFA. With her extensive background in brand design, strategy, content creation, and marketing, as well as her remarkable creativity and enthusiasm, we are confident that she will make a significant contribution to EFA.

Hannah’s previous experience working closely with NDIS providers is a valuable asset that will enhance her work here at EFA. Her insights and expertise in this area will undoubtedly benefit our team and the services we provide.

We are all looking forward to some exciting changes and developments on our digital platforms in the near future, thanks to Hannah’s leadership and innovative ideas. Her presence on the team promises to bring fresh perspectives and drive us toward new heights.

Please join me in extending a warm welcome to Hannah. We are thrilled to have her on board and are excited about the bright future ahead for EFA.

Dangers of purchasing ‘off the shelf’ NDIS policies and procedures

It is essential for NDIS providers to have quality policies and procedures in place to ensure you are meeting the NDIS quality requirements.

Whether you’re starting out and need policies and procedures or want to improve your system documentation purchasing ‘pre-prepared’ documents can be a convenient starting point, however there are potential pitfalls to be aware of.

For example, standardised off-the-shelf products may not always align perfectly with your business, and if they include processes and forms you do not implement, this can lead to staff not using your system and audit non-conformances. 

Good system documentation should follow your business processes and reflect the supports provide.  You should be CONFIDENT in using your system, update documents as your processes change, and staff should use these as a first port of call if they have questions (rather than asking the manager or quality and safeguarding staff). 

Your documentation should evolve as your processes change, ensuring it remains an accurate reflection of your operations and your staff should feel confident using the system documentation as a resource.

The goal should always be continuous improvement. Regularly reviewing and updating your documentation and processes is crucial to staying compliant and efficient.

A good consultant will work with you to make sure the system is truly yours as well as being compliant with the quality requirements set by the NDIS Commission.

At EFA we provides options to produce tailored documentation including policies and procedures, participant handbooks, internal audit plans and easy read English documents. We can also assist with self assessments/internal audits and work with you on system improvements.   If you would like to speak to us on how we can assist you in these areas, please contact us on 0478 616 207 or info@engelsfloyd.com for a complimentary consultation.

Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) Changes

The Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) provides financial help to people with disability and mental health conditions and employers to buy workplace assistance and support services.

These include work-related modifications, including making adjustments to your physical workspace, purchasing equipment, Auslan interpreting services and disability awareness training.

Recent changes to the Employment Assistant Fund (EAF) will enable more employers to access new funding to make workplaces safer and more accessible.

Under the changes, the annual funding cap for work-related Auslan interpreting services will double from $6000 to $12,000.

The building modifications cap will also double from $30,000 to $60,000 to help fund lifts, wheelchair accessible toilets, access ramps and automatic doors to remove workplace barriers.

The Federal Government will also scrap the requirement for funding applications to be made ahead of time for Auslan interpreters to be at job interviews and other activity including site visits, tests and information sessions. Instead, businesses can submit an application up to five business days post-interview.

For organisations that employ people with disability or are considering hiring people with disability, we recommended exploring the EAF program further to understand how these changes can benefit your workplace and employees.

Accessible and inclusive workplaces not only support the well-being of employees with disabilities but also contribute to a more diverse and skilled workforce.

Passionate experts in quality improvement for disability & human services. Supporting all States and Territories.

In this edition

• Upcoming Training
• Evidence Centred Approaches to Service Delivery
• NDIS New Regulatory Tool – Enforceable Actions
• Interim and Comprehensive Behaviour Support Plan Checklists
• NDIS Review Interim Report – What we have heard report

Upcoming Training 

We’re thrilled to announce our upcoming interactive online training workshops, presented by our incredible Technical Manager, Patty Wassenaar. 

If you’re looking to stay ahead in the NDIS landscape, these workshops are tailor-made for you!  Each workshop will dive deep into NDIS-related topics, offering practical knowledge and strategies to help you thrive in your role. Some of these are almost booked out, so be quick!

Take a look below to see what we have on offer! 

1. NDIS Incident Management Essentials
24 August 2023 – 10am – 12pm AEST
Register Here

2. Understanding NDIS Registration Groups
24 August 2023 – 1pm – 3pm AEST
Register Here

Evidence Matters – Evidence Centred Approaches to Service Delivery

Evidence centered approaches to service delivery use a framework that focuses on the use of empirical evidence and data insights to inform decision making to improve the design, implementation, and evaluation of service delivery. 

The NDIS Commission have produced a collection of resources called Evidence Matters that aims to promote the use of evidence-informed practices to support NDIS providers to achieve compliance with their obligations under the NDIS legislation.

Presently the Evidence Matters collection includes the following resources:

• An Evidence-Informed Practice Guide which provides guidance on ways to ensure practice is evidence-informed.
• Organisational Approaches to Reducing Restrictive Practice
• Developing Quality Behaviour Support Plans literature summary that identifies aspects of quality behaviour support plans developments
• Medications for behaviours of concern for people with Autism

Overall, evidence-centered approaches, as shown by the NDIS Commission’s Evidence Matters collection, are essential for ensuring that service delivery is based on reliable data and insights, leading to better outcomes for participants and greater accountability for service providers.

We encourage all NDIS providers to have a look at the evidence matters resources as they are valuable tools for NDIS providers to enhance their practices and ensure compliance with NDIS legislation.

Interim and Comprehensive Behaviour Support Plan Checklists

The NDIS Commission as released two new Comprehensive Behaviour Support Plan Checklists Comprehensive Behaviour Support Plan Checklists  that outline good practice and the conditions of registration that apply to specialist behaviour support providers when developing behaviour support plans.

Although the resources are optional, we encourage NDIS providers to review the quality of their behaviour support plans against these checklists.

NDIS Review Interim Report – What we have heard report

On 30 June 2023 the NDIS Commission issued an Interim Report on the ongoing review of the NDIS providing a summary of the key issues that have been identified in the review.

The Report raises 10 important issues that the community has identified:

1. The planning process is difficult and stressful for participants.
2. Support for people with disability is not planned, funded or governed as a whole ecosystem.
3. Many people do not understand what reasonable and necessary means leading to complexity, confusion, conflict and inconsistency.
4. Children and their families do not get the support they need to reach their goals and be part of the community.
5. NDIS markets are not working, and many participants cannot find services they need.
6. Better measurement of outcomes and performance would help participants make informed choices, keep providers and government accountable, and make sure the scheme is sustainable.
7. There is a lack of focus on achieving long term outcomes relating to participation, inclusion in communities and employment.
8. The roles of different support people are confusing. For example, plan managers and support coordinators.
9. Lack of innovation in housing and living supports with many participants not having much choice about where or how they live.
10. Improvements to systems are required to increase safeguards for all participants, while making sure they can still have choice and control.

The report has distilled these issues into five key challenges that will be considered in the review.  These include:

• Why is the NDIS seen as the only means of support for people with disability (oasis in the desert)?
• What does reasonable and necessary mean?
• Why are there many more children in the NDIS than expected?
• Why aren’t NDIS markets working?
• How do we ensure the NDIS is sustainable?

We encourage NDIS providers to contribute to this very important process by submitting your views and potential solution on the issues identified.  This can be done by filling out an Online Survey by 25 August 2023.

Passionate experts in quality improvement for disability & human services. Supporting all States and Territories.

In this edition

• Upcoming Training
• Revised High Intensity Support Skills Descriptor Frequently Asked Questions
• What do NDIS providers need to know about Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology?

Upcoming Training 

We are very excited to announce that we are running some brand new short course online training sessions via Zoom. Take a look below to see what we have on offer! 

1. Getting NDIS Mid-Term Audit Ready
4 August 2023 – 10:00am – 12:00pm AEST
Register Here

2. NDIS Incident Management Essentials
24 August 2023 – 10am – 12pm AEST
Register Here

3. Understanding NDIS Registration Groups
24 August 2023 – 1pm – 3pm AEST
Register Here

Revised High Intensity Support Skills Descriptor Frequently Asked Questions

The NDIS Commission recently updated the high intensity support skills descriptors (HISSD) which came into effect from 1 February 2023.  These updates were made to align the descriptors with contemporary practice, expert advice, and a participant-focused approach.

High Intensity Supports are complex supports required by NDIS participants in order to manage their daily lives.

The high intensity support skills descriptors (skills descriptors) serve as supplementary guidance for NDIS providers and workers who support participants with high intensity daily personal activities (HIDPA). They outline the specific skills and knowledge that NDIS providers should ensure their workers possess when delivering supports to participants who rely on HIDPA.

In June 2023, the NDIS Commission released Frequently Asked Questions to guide NDIS providers in the implementation of the skills descriptors.

It is important for registered NDIS providers, particularly those registered for Module 1 HIDPA, to familiarise themselves with the revised skills descriptors and understand the compliance requirements. Some key points for providers to consider include:

• Registered NDIS providers must ensure that their workers meet the expectations outlined in the relevant skills descriptors.
• NDIS providers should conduct annual reviews to ensure that their workers possess the current skills and knowledge described in the skills descriptors.
• If a worker has not delivered support for a period exceeding three months or if a participant’s support needs have changed, it is recommended that the worker be reassessed and, if necessary, undergo refresher training.

To assist NDIS providers in assessing their workers’ skills and knowledge against the skills descriptors, EFA has developed a High Intensity Support Skills Descriptors Staff Audit. This audit provides a self-assessment checklist for each skill and knowledge area required for the respective individual descriptors. The completion of this audit should help identify areas where workers may require further training to ensure compliance with the NDIS requirements.

If you are interested in purchasing this staff audit or have any questions regarding your obligations in relation to high intensity skills descriptors please contact us on 0478 616 207 or info@engelsfloyd.com for a complimentary consultation.

Passionate experts in quality improvement for disability & human services. Supporting all States and Territories.

In this edition

• Upcoming Training
• Participant File Reviews
• Change to the age of children supported under the NDIS early childhood approach
• Updated NDIS Pricing Arrangements
• Key Points Arising from the Commission’s Latest NDIS Quarterly Report

Upcoming Training 

We are very excited to announce that we are running some brand new short course online training sessions via Zoom. Take a look below to see what we have on offer! 

1. Getting NDIS Mid-Term Audit Ready
4 August 2023 – 10:00am – 12:00pm AEST
Register Here

2. NDIS Incident Management Essentials
24 August 2023 – 10am – 12pm AEST
Register Here

3. Understanding NDIS Registration Groups
24 August 2023 – 1pm – 3pm AEST
Register Here

Participant File reviews

Have you thought about having an independent review, or mini audit, of participant files to verify the implementation of your systems against the NDIS Practice Standards?

EFA have extensive experience in conducting NDIS audits, which includes sampling participant files, interviewing participants and their support networks.

Benefits of an independent review of participant files includes:

• Experienced independent person who can view files in an impartial way, and confirm consistency with your systems, the NDIS Practice Standards, and check for any anomalies which staff who are familiar with your participants may overlook.
• Helps confirm whether your participant file management processes are effectively implemented, or whether improvement is required.
• Could assist in identifying potential risks. For example, inconsistencies with files, missing key information which may appear ‘obvious’ to staff who know participants well.
• Counts towards your ‘internal audit’ evidence.

A full internal audit or preparatory audit can also be conducted if required, but often, a mini audit such as this might be helpful to confirm things are working well, or in need of improvement.

If you would like to know more on how we can help you with participant file reviews or audits, please contact us on 0478 616 207 or info@engelsfloyd.com for a complimentary consultation.

Passionate experts in quality improvement for disability & human services. Supporting all States and Territories.

In this edition

• Upcoming Training
• Renewing your NDIS Registration
• Dual NDIS and Aged Care Registration Requirements for Residential Aged Care (RAC) Providers
• Federal Budget 2023-24
• NDIS Provider Spotlight

Upcoming Training 

We are very excited to announce that we are running a brand new online training session this month. 

Introduction to Psychosocial coaching in the NDIS

This workshop will provide you with all the essential information you need to know about the role of psychosocial recovery coaching in the NDIS.

It is being presented by one of our associates with extensive clinical and NDIS experience.

25 May 2023 – 10am – 1pm AEST
Register here

Renewing Your Registration

Do you know what the process is for renewing your NDIS registration?

As a registered NDIS Provider, you are required to renew your registration every 3 years. When your NDIS registration is due to expire, the NDIS Commission will send you a reminder email roughly 6 months before expiry with instructions on how to complete your renewal application in the portal.

To ensure that you remain a registered NDIS Provider you must apply to renew your registration and undertake another audit before the expiry date.

You will be required to complete a renewal application in the NDIS portal which is very similar to your initial registration application and includes providing organisation and registration group information.  You will also need to provide a self-assessment against the NDIS Practice Standards relevant to the supports and services your organisation delivers and upload any documents required as evidence.

You can find further information on the renewal steps and preparing for your audit with great tips in our blog here.

The NDIS Commission is promoting on their website NDIS providers who exhibit good and innovative practices in their operations when delivering quality and safe supports and services to their participants. The initiative is called the Provider Spotlight.

The Provider Spotlight is not intended to be an endorsement of a provider’s overall activities, but instead focuses on a particular incident or activity which the Commission believes may be beneficial to share with other providers.

All NDIS providers are encouraged to share their approaches and innovations to support delivery and participant engagement by emailing communications@ndiscommission.gov.au.

In the spirit of continuous improvement, we encourage NDIS providers to have a look at what other providers are doing and reach out to the Commission if you feel like you are doing something well that other providers may benefit from.

Passionate experts in quality improvement for disability & human services. Supporting all States and Territories.

In this edition

• Upcoming Training
• NDIS Quarterly Report
• NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission letter to Specialist Disability Accommodation Providers
• Inclusion Australia ‘Your service, Your rights’ Workshops

Upcoming Training 

We are very excited to announce that we are running some brand new short course online training sessions via Zoom. Take a look below to see what we have on offer!

1. NDIS Plan Review
27 April 2023 – 10am – 12pm AEST
Register here

2. Emergency and Disaster Management (Business Continuity)
28 April 2023 – 10am – 12pm AEST
Register here

3. Introduction to NDIS Registration Requirements
11 May 2023 – 9:30am – 11:30am AEST
Register here

4. Risk Management for NDIS Providers
11 May 2023 – 1:30pm – 4:30pm AEST
Register here

5. Introduction to Psychosocial coaching in the NDIS
25 May 2023 – 10am – 1pm AEST
Register here

NDIS Quarterly Report

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has published its Quarterly Activity Report, covering the period 1 October 2022 to 31 December 2022 for all states and territories in Australia. The report provides an overview of NDIS Commission activities, including complaints, registrations, reportable incidents, behaviour support and compliance.
The NDIS Commission uses this information along with complaints and incident reports to target areas for compliance and education activities.

We encourage NDIS providers to read the report as it provides them with information about the NDIS market place plus, areas where the Commission will be focusing on in the future in terms of compliance actions.
Key issues of note are in the areas of complaints, reportable incidents, unauthorised restrictive practices and compliance actions.

There were 2001 complaints in this period with the highest percentage of complaints in provider practice (43%), followed by alleged abuse and neglect (25%) and worker conduct (23%).  This highlights that there is a need for providers to better understand the requirements and responsibilities under the NDIS practice standards by having NDIS policies and procedures in place that are being properly implemented and communicated to their staff through quality training.

There was an overall increase of 7% (5296) in the number of reportable incidents with the highest category in abuse or neglect followed by serious injury.   Of those reported 908 were reported to the police. There was also a 12% increase in the use of unauthorised restrictive practices which remains a concern and highlights the need for greater training of staff in this area and the promotion of positive behaviour support strategies to reduce the use of restrictive practices.

The Commission has taken over 7587 compliance actions against providers in the last 6 months including education initiatives (4865), registration refusals (269) and banning orders (42).

The NDIS Commission has been clear that it will continue to focus on ensuring NDIS providers understand their responsibilities and implement the NDIS Practice Standards, NDIS Code of Conduct and other quality and safeguards requirements to ensure the safety and wellbeing of people with disability.  They will also take action in cases where there has been a risk to the safety of NDIS participants.

If you are unsure if your documentation or training adequately cover offs on these requirements, we are here to help, contact us on 0478 616 207 or info@engelsfloyd.com for a complimentary consultation to chat about your compliance obligations.

In this edition

• Upcoming Training
• New NDIS Practice Alert on High Risk Restrictive Practices
• NDIS Consumer Rights
• NDIS Participant Fact Sheets about behaviour support
• Own Motion Inquiry into Platform Providers Operating in the NDIS Market

Upcoming Training 

We are very excited to announce that we are running some brand new short course online training sessions via Zoom. Take a look below to see what we have on offer!

1. Introduction Internal Audit Training
24 March 2023 – 10:30am – 1:30pm AEST
Register here

2. NDIS Plan Review
27 April 2023 – 10am – 12pm AEST
Register here

3. Emergency and Disaster Management (Business Continuity)
28 April 2023 – 10am – 12pm AEST
Register here

New NDIS Practice Alert on High Risk Restrictive Practices

Did you know the NDIS Commission released a new Practice Alert on High Risk Restrictive Practices?

In January 2023, the NDIS Commission released a new Practice Alert on high risk restrictive practices.

High-risk restrictive practices place participants at high risk of harm and are associated with adverse and catastrophic outcomes for participants such as long-term psychological or physical injury and death.

The NDIS Commissioner remains concerned about the use of high risk restrictive practices in the sector.

We recommend NDIS providers read the Practice Alert and review their current practices to ensure that no high risk restrictive practices are in use.  You can read more about this new practice alert in our blog here.

In this edition

• Upcoming Training
• Welcome Patty Wassenaar to the EFA team
• NDIS Workforce Capability Position Description Tool
• The Importance of Emergency and Disaster Planning
• How well are you prepared for your mid-term audit?

Upcoming Training 

NDIS Business and Strategic Planning

Welcome Patty to the EFA team

We would like to warmly welcome Patty Wassenaar to the EFA team.  Although Patty has worked as an associate for EFA she has now joined our EFA team on a permanent basis two days a week.

Patty has an extensive background in Quality Management Systems that are coupled with over 20 years lead auditor experience in the Disability and Human Services Sector as well as training and mentoring staff. She has an encyclopedic knowledge of Certification Accreditation Requirements for both JAS-ANZ and related Government Department schemes.

We are privileged and excited to have someone of Patty’s caliber working for us.

NDIS Workforce Capability Position Description Tool

Having the right position descriptions are vital to attracting the right people to your organisation with the skills and knowledge that are suited to the role and your NDIS business.

The NDIS Commission have developed a NDIS Workforce Capability Framework that describes core worker capabilities that can give your workers and potential workers a clearer understanding about both the type of work they will  be doing and how it should be done.  You can read more about the Framework here Guidance document for providers about impact of Workforce Capability Framework – Engels Floyd.

These core capabilities can be used as the foundation for building and reviewing current position descriptions for different participant needs and delivery environments.

To assist you in this, the NDIS Commission have released a Position Description Tool to support NDIS providers to develop position descriptions based on the capabilities in the Framework.  You can read more about this tool in our blog here.

In this edition

• Happy New Year
• Important Information for Supported Independent Living Providers – NDIS Commission’s First ‘Own Motion’ Inquiry into Supported Accommodation
• Upcoming Training

Happy New Year!