July 23, 2024
NDIS Tips
The Guide to Building Strong Foundational Supports
If you’ve been keeping an eye on the NDIS review, you’ve probably encountered the term “foundational supports.” As the first of 26 recommendations from the review, foundational supports aim to improve disability services for all Australians. But what exactly are they? How do they differ from NDIS supports? And who will be able to access them?
While we’re still waiting for the federal government’s full response to the NDIS review, National Cabinet has already agreed to an initial 50-50 funding model for these supports, which is promising news!
In this blog, we’ll share what we know about foundational supports and how they aim to enhance the lives of people with disabilities, their families, and their carers. Let’s dive in!
What Are Foundational Supports?
Foundational supports are designed to provide individuals with disabilities the essential foundation to live a fulfilling life. This includes ensuring everyone can participate in the community, live independently, and maintain both physical and mental health, regardless of whether they are part of the NDIS or not.
These supports are intended to complement the NDIS and mainstream services, creating a connected and comprehensive disability support system. Services that could be included range from home and community care to early intervention and assistive technology.
How Do Foundational Supports Differ from NDIS Supports?
The current disability support system has three tiers, with a noticeable support gap in the middle. Foundational supports aim to bridge this gap, offering services to those who fall between mainstream services and the NDIS.
Visualizing the Support System
Consider a chart that depicts three tiers: mainstream services at the bottom, two levels of foundational supports in the middle, and the NDIS at the top. Currently, only a small proportion of Australians with disabilities are NDIS participants, leaving around 2.5 million relying on non-NDIS supports, which often do not meet their needs adequately.
By introducing foundational supports, we can address this issue, providing essential services to those with lower-level needs and freeing up the NDIS to focus on individuals with more complex needs.
Examples of Foundational Supports
Although the specifics are yet to be confirmed, potential foundational supports could include:
Assistance with daily tasks like grocery shopping and cleaning.
Psychosocial Disability Supports
Services to help individuals build independence and daily living skills.
Aids and Equipment
Provision of necessary tools and technologies for those with lower-level needs.
Early Supports for Children
Early intervention services for children with developmental concerns.
Support for Young People
Assistance with key life transitions, such as moving into independent living.
Who Can Access Foundational Supports?
According to the NDIS review, foundational supports should be available to every person with a disability, divided into two categories:
General Supports
Available to all individuals with disabilities, including NDIS participants, general supports might include information and advice, capacity building for individuals and families, peer support, self-advocacy, and disability employment supports.
Targeted Supports
Aimed at individuals with lower-level support needs who are not eligible for the NDIS, targeted supports could cover a range of services such as home and community supports, psychosocial disability supports, and early supports for families and children.
How to Access Foundational Supports
If the investment in foundational supports proceeds, a variety of new services may become available. The NDIS review suggests introducing “Navigators” to help people determine which services best meet their needs.
The Role of Navigators
Navigators would be similar to Support Coordinators but available to all people with disabilities, not just NDIS participants. With strong community connections, they would be well-equipped to guide individuals toward the most suitable services.
What's Next?
Foundational supports are just one of many recommendations from the NDIS review, which also suggests stronger regulation of NDIS providers, changes to NDIS eligibility, and building a more supportive workforce. The review proposes a five-year transition period to allow everyone time to adjust to these significant changes.
As we await the federal government’s response, stay tuned to hear the latest updates from Abled Care Services!
Conclusion
Foundational supports hold the promise of filling crucial gaps in the current disability support system, providing essential services to those who fall between mainstream and NDIS supports. By ensuring everyone has access to the help they need, we can build a more inclusive and supportive society for people with disabilities.
At Abled Care Services, we are committed to staying at the forefront of these developments, ready to support you and your loved ones through every step of this journey. Stay informed, stay supported, and let’s look forward to a brighter future together.
