Providers and people with disability expressed widespread, almost universal, concern about Employment Services Assessments (ESAts) and Job Capacity Assessments (JCAs), including consistent feedback that they often refer people with disability to inappropriate services. There was also comment that the ‘benchmark hours’ assessment is confusing and often does not accurately reflect a participants work capacity. There was criticism about how ESAts and JCAs are managed by the Department of Human Services, including waiting times, assessment not being undertaken facetoface and assessment completed by assessors whose qualifications are not related to the participant’s disability. was a strong view that an assessment process should include career planning, be more holistic, strengths-based and tailored to the individual. Strengths of Disability Employment Services The following elements of Disability Employment Services (DES) were consistently put forward in forums and in submissions as strengths of the current system that should be retained, noting that in most cases there was also discussion about how the elements could be improved. Ongoing Support The ongoing support element of DES was seen as a of the current ‘cornerstone’ system and of its key defining features’. there was universal agreement ‘one that ongoing support should be retained, there were numerous suggestions about how it could be improved to provide better support. These comments included the need for: more flexibility, particularly the effects of disability can change over time; specific support for people with mental illness, to accommodate the episodic nature of their condition; and support to be delivered based on the needs of both the employer and the employee. Job in Jeopardy Assistance Job in Jeopardy Assistance was also put forward as a core element of DES that can meet a real and immediate need for people whose employment is at risk because of their disability. Most feedback called for an expanded programme that is more flexible and can be accessed well before the employee is at risk of losing their job. This proposal for an expanded programme came with a strong call to change the name. JobAccess There was very positive feedback for JobAccess and its role in providing information to assist with disability employment issues. The JobAccess role in delivering the Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) and providing expert advice on issues such as
Providers and people with disability expressed widespread, almost universal, concern about Employment Services Assessments (ESAts) and Job Capacity Assessments (JCAs), including consistent feedback that they often refer people with disability to inappropriate services. There was also comment that the ‘benchmark hours’ assessment is confusing and often does not accurately reflect a participants work capacity. There was criticism about how ESAts and JCAs are managed by the Department of Human Services, including waiting times, assessment not being undertaken facetoface and assessment completed by assessors whose qualifications are not related to the participant’s disability. was a strong view that an assessment process should include career planning, be more holistic, strengths-based and tailored to the individual. Strengths of Disability Employment Services The following elements of Disability Employment Services (DES) were consistently put forward in forums and in submissions as strengths of the current system that should be retained, noting that in most cases there was also discussion about how the elements could be improved. Ongoing Support The ongoing support element of DES was seen as a ‘cornerstone’ of the current system and ‘one of its key defining features’. there was universal agreement that ongoing support should be retained, there were numerous suggestions about how it could be improved to provide better support. These comments included the need for: more flexibility, particularly the effects of disability can change over time; specific support for people with mental illness, to accommodate the episodic nature of their condition; and support to be delivered based on the needs of both the employer and the employee. Job in Jeopardy Assistance Job in Jeopardy Assistance was also put forward as a core element of DES that can meet a real and immediate need for people whose employment is at risk because of their disability. Most feedback called for an expanded programme that is more flexible and can be accessed well before the employee is at risk of losing their job. This proposal for an expanded programme came with a strong call to change the name. JobAccess There was very positive feedback for JobAccess and its role in providing information to assist with disability employment issues. The JobAccess role in delivering the Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) and providing expert advice on issues such as