Media Release: Uniting Renews Its Focus On Contemporary Disability Support
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This extremely difficult decision is necessary in order for UCW to continue to provide high-quality, person-centred support and remain sustainable under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
It’s anticipated the decision will directly impact up to 215 people who receive group-based support, and approximately 25 employees.
Prior to the introduction of the NDIS, block-funding of disability services enabled flexibility for providers to adequately prepare, plan and train staff to deliver outcomes for people who received group support.
While UCW fully supports the principles of the NDIS, this decision demonstrates the challenges that the sector is facing in administering the scheme.
“Despite our best efforts to implement a model that provides individualised services and support to people with disability in group settings, the reality of operating within an NDIS that demands individualised funding and outcomes under a fixed pricing model is that group support is no longer viable,” said UCW Head of Service Operations, Michael Chester.
“UCW remains committed to the NDIS and we will continue to grow and build our capacity to deliver one-to-one services that are contemporary, person-centred and meet the individual needs of the people we support,” he said.
UCW will work closely with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and other organisations in the sector over the coming months to ensure that those affected are supported to understand their options and exercise choice and control over the direction they choose to take.
UCW provides a diverse range of holistic services which support, serve and empower more than 30,000 West Australians every year.
*ENDS*
3 March 2020
Media Contact
Jessica Brodie-Hall, Senior Communications Advisor, UnitingCare West
Phone: 0404 017 385
Email: jessica.brodie-hall@unitingcarewest.org.au