Carers Australia and autism advisers in each state and territory register eligible children and provide key information and assistance to families for both Better Start and Helping Children with Autism. Success indicators The percentage and number of individuals, parents and carers who report they were assisted to access choices and options that enabled them to manage their needs and the percentage and number of clients reporting that the services were appropriate to their needs as parents and carers will indicate the success of this action. Area for future action 4.7. Collaborate with providers of universal personal and community support services to improve access for people with disability. Action 4.7.1 Implementation of the Australian Government new Family Support Program Why is this important? Targeted support services for families and children are essential to prevent poor outcomes and vulnerable families do not access such services. What will it do? Families with adults or children who have a disability are regarded as having multiple and/or complex needs and considered a priority for Family Support Program services, particularly where there is a high unmet need. To give effect to the government’s expectation, all Family Support Program services were required to agree to an individual Vulnerable and Disadvantaged Access Strategy with the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs by 30 June 2012. The Vulnerable and Disadvantaged Access Strategy is intended to help service providers identify the most vulnerable and disadvantaged families in the local areas they service and how they can work more effectively with key stakeholders to offer more holistic service responses. Actions committed to in the Vulnerable and Disadvantaged Access Strategy should address the access barriers experienced by families who have a or parent/carer with disability. This can be at an organisational level or through actions that aim to foster or strengthen relationships to enable more linked approaches to be developed. The Accessibility Services Standard requires funded providers to deliver services that ensure their sensitivity and accessibility to any people who face a real or perceived barrier to receiving assistance. It also requires providers to ensure the buildings they operate from are accessible to people with disability. Responsibility The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs has responsibility for progressing this action.
Carers Australia and autism advisers in each state and territory register eligible children and provide key information and assistance to families for both Better Start and Helping Children with Autism. Success indicators The percentage and number of individuals, parents and carers who report they were assisted to access choices and options that enabled them to manage their needs and the percentage and number of clients reporting that the services were appropriate to their needs as parents and carers will indicate the success of this action. Area for future action 4.7. Collaborate with providers of universal personal and community support services to improve access for people with disability. Action 4.7.1 Implementation of the Australian Government new Family Support Program Why is this important? Targeted support services for families and children are essential to prevent poor outcomes and vulnerable families do not access such services. What will it do? Families with adults or children who have a disability are regarded as having multiple and/or complex needs and considered a priority for Family Support Program services, particularly where there is a high unmet need. To give effect to the government’s expectation, all Family Support Program services were required to agree to an individual Vulnerable and Disadvantaged Access Strategy with the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs by 30 June 2012. The Vulnerable and Disadvantaged Access Strategy is intended to help service providers identify the most vulnerable and disadvantaged families in the local areas they service and how they can work more effectively with key stakeholders to offer more holistic service responses. Actions committed to in the Vulnerable and Disadvantaged Access Strategy should address the access barriers experienced by families who have a or parent/carer with disability. This can be at an organisational level or through actions that aim to foster or strengthen relationships to enable more linked approaches to be developed. The Accessibility Services Standard requires funded providers to deliver services that ensure their sensitivity and accessibility to any people who face a real or perceived barrier to receiving assistance. It also requires providers to ensure the buildings they operate from are accessible to people with disability. Responsibility The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs has responsibility for progressing this action.
NDS_First_report_-_30_Jan_2013_-_Word.docx