Home SupportProgramme
Commonwealth Home Support Programme(CHSP) Guidelines Overview
July2015
Preface
The Australian Government Department of Social Services (DSS) has a suite of Programme Guidelines whichprovide information about each Programme that provides grants funding, and the suite of Activities that contribute to that Programme. They provide the key starting point for parties considering whether to participate in a Programme and form the basis for the business relationship between DSS and the grant recipient.
DSS recognises and supports the work of civil society organisations, the private sector, and local government in providing professional, responsive home support services to their local communities. The DSS approach to working with these sectors is based on reducing red tape and providing greater flexibility in recognition of the role of, and responsibilities borne by, home support providers in the delivery of a professional service system.
Programme Guidelines provide an overview of the Programme and its related Activities, including specific information on each Activity, Selection Criteria, Performance Management and Reporting.
The Programme Guidelines for each grant funding round include:
- a Programme Guidelines Overview document (this document) that provides an overview of how funding rounds may be conducted for each Activity (PBS administered line item) that contribute to the overall Programme outcome, and
- an Application Pack - a suite of documents with information specific to each grant funding round conducted within the Activity.
The Guidelines should be read in conjunction with the Terms and Conditions and the grant agreement.
The simplified Programme arrangements establish the framework for the Department to move towards a single grant agreement per provider, implement new and improved financial reporting systems, reduce reporting and regulation, consolidate funding rounds and support greater service delivery innovation to meet the needs of clients.
DSS reserves the right to amend these documents from time to time by whatever means it may determine in its absolute discretion and will provide reasonable notice of these amendments.
Table of Contents
1.Programme Overview – Home Support
1.1Programme Outcomes
1.2Programme Objectives
2.Activity Overview – Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)
2.1Activity aims and objectives
2.2Sub-Activities
2.3Applicant eligibility
2.4Participants/clients/recipients/target group
2.5Funding for the activity
2.6Eligible and ineligible activities
2.7Activity links and working with other agencies and services
2.8Specialist requirements (e.g. Legislative requirements)
2.9Information Technology
2.10Activity Performance and Reporting
2.11Financial Reporting
2.12DSS’s responsibilities and accountabilities under the activity
2.13Grant recipients’ responsibilities and accountabilities under the activity
2.14Privacy and Confidentiality
2.15Branding / Logo
2.16Risk management strategy
2.17Special conditions applying to this activity
3.Application Process
3.1Overview of the application process
3.2Programme Guidelines
3.3Achieving Value for Money
3.4Choice of Selection Process
3.5Service delivery areas / Aged Care Planning Regions
3.6Selection Criteria
3.7How to submit an application
3.8Applicant’s Responsibilities
3.9What needs to be included?
3.10What should not be included?
3.11What happens if an applicant provides more than the specified number of words?
3.12Closing date and time
3.13Late Applications
3.14Questions and answers during the application period
3.15Questions after the application period
3.16Application Acknowledgement
3.17Conflicts of Interest
4.Terms and conditions applying to Selection
4.1Liability issues
4.2DSS’s rights
4.3Disclaimer
4.4Fraud
4.5Personal Information
4.6Freedom of Information
5.Financial and Other Arrangements
5.1Financial arrangements
6.Grants Process Complaints
6.1Applicants/Grant Recipients
6.2Client/Customer
7.Contact information
1.Programme Overview – Home Support
1.1Programme Outcomes
The Department of Social Services (DSS) funds organisationsto develop and maintain a cohesive Australian community and improved independence and self-sufficiency, recognising that government contributions are only one source of funding for the operation of community services.
In recognition of the challenges posed by a rapidly ageing population, the Australian Government, in partnership with clients, carers of frail,older Australians, aged care providers, workers and health professionals, is making continual improvement through the introduction of a number of changes to the aged care system to make it easier for clients and carers to access high-quality, client centred services which maximise independence and are responsive to the changing needs of older Australians as they age. This includes the establishment of the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP).
Programme 3.2 of the DSS Portfolio Budget Statement, the Home Support Programme, aims to provide a foundation for integrated, professional, community led programme delivery of home support services provided at a low intensity on a short-term or ongoing basis, or higher intensity services delivered on a short-term or episodic basis for older Australians.
This will include the establishment of a platform for continued improvement in the way DSS does its business, clarifying and strengthening Commonwealth and state/territory government responsibilities, fostering stronger relationships with the private sector and civil society, and partnering with service providers.
1.2Programme Objectives
The objective of the Home Support Programme is toimprove access to quality home support services for eligible clients and reduce red tape for providers, through the streamlining of the home support system. The Programme willhelp frail,older people living in the community to maximise their independence, through the provision of timely, qualityentry level support services, which takes into accounteach person’s individual goals, preferences and choices. As people age, they can develop medical conditions or increased frailties which impede their ability to continue living in their own home. Investment in entry-level support can delay the need to move to more intensive forms of care. This benefits older Australians through increasing their independence and quality of life as well as reducing calls on government outlays for other forms of care, such as residential aged care.
The following Activities comprise the Home Support Programme and support the Commonwealth Government’s priorities and responsibilities:
Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)
The CHSP will help frail, older people (65 years and over, or 50 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) who are living in the community to maximise their independence. Through the delivery of timely, high quality entry-level support services which takes into account each person’s individual goals, preferences and choices - and underpinned by a strong emphasis on restorative approaches, including wellness and reablement - the CHSP will help its clients stay living in their own homes for as long as they can and wish to do so. The CHSP will also support the care relationship between CHSP clients and their carers who provide the support necessary to help the older people stay at home.
The term ‘entry-level’ refers to support provided at a low intensity on a short-term or ongoing basis, or higher intensity services delivered on a short-term or episodic basis.
Additionally, My Aged Care will be enhanced to support the screening and assessment of clients and become the key entry point to Australia’s Aged Care system, making it easier for older Australians to access the care they need to remain living in their home.
The establishment of the Regional Assessment Service (RAS) will see a consistent approach to assessment services for people seeking support through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme. The RAS will utilise a standardised assessment process which encompasses a holistic view of client needs.
2.Activity Overview– Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)
The CHSP will help frail, older people (65 years and over, or 50 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) who are living in the community to maximise their independence. Through the delivery of timely, high quality entry-level support services which take into account each person’s individual goals, preferences and choices - and underpinned by a strong emphasis on restorative approaches, including wellness and reablement - the CHSP will help its clients stay living in their own homes for as long as they can and wish to do so.
Frail, older clients aged 65 years and over (50 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) will be the direct service recipients of planned respite services, which will allow regular carers to take a break from their usual caring duties.
In addition, the CHSP will support older people or people aged 50 years and over, who are on a low income and who are homeless or at risk of homelessness as a result of experiencing housing stress or not having secure accommodation, through the provision of assistance with accessing care and housing.
The CHSP builds on the strengths of the home support programmes which came before it, and from 1July 2015 consolidates the former Commonwealth Home andCommunity Care (HACC) Program, planned respite from the National Respite for Carers Program (NRCP), the Day Therapy Centres (DTC) Program and the Assistance with Care and Housing for the Aged (ACHA) Program. As part of the establishment arrangements for the CHSP, the majority of services funded under these existing programmes will be extended under their existing terms and conditions until 31 October 2015 to provide time for providers to transition into the new programme. In special circumstances, DSS may offer some longer extensions under a provider’s existing terms and conditions to ensure a smooth transition to the new programme.
The RAS will consider client goals, strengths and motivations as part of a reablement approach to assessment. It will also provide a linking service capability to assist vulnerable clients. The assessment process will be supported by a client record that reduces the number of times clients and their families have to tell their story.
Victoria and Western Australia
These Guidelines do not apply to Home and Community Care (HACC) services in Victoria or Western Australia funded under State Government-administered arrangements.
Victoria
Negotiations for transitioning HACC services for older people are underway with the Victorian government. While these negotiations continue, Victorian HACC services for older people will continue to be provided under the Commonwealth-State jointly funded Victorian HACC Program until services are transitioned to the Commonwealth.
Older people in Victoria will be able to access services under the CHSP that were previously delivered through the NRCP, DTC and ACHA programmes.
Western Australia
Negotiations on a HACC transition for older people in Western Australia are currently underway, but at an early stage. Therefore, basic home services will continue to be provided to the frail aged under the jointly-funded Western Australian HACC Program.
Older people in Western Australia will be able to access support under the CHSP that was previously offered under the NRCP, DTC and ACHA programmes.
The CHSP’s position in the Australian Government’s end-to-end aged care system
The CHSP represents the entry tier of the aged care system. In conjunction with the Home Care Packages Programme, residential aged care and other specialised aged care programmes, it forms part of an end-to-end aged care system offering frail, older people a continuum of care options as their care needs change over time.
From 1 July 2015 entry and assessment for the CHSP will be through My Aged Care, an identifiable entry point to the aged care system for older people and their carers. My Aged Care incorporates a website and phone-based screening process undertaken byacontact centre and network of regionally based assessment organisations (RegionalAssessment Services and progressively the Aged Care Assessment Teams) acrossAustralia that will assess a client’s needs and eligibility for services across programmes through a face-to-face assessment.
This streamlined entry to aged care will make it easier for older people, their families, and carers to access information on ageing and aged care, have their needs assessed and be supported to locate and access services available to them, including entry-level support.
The CHSP is designed to provide relatively small amounts of a single service or a few services for frail, older people when this is sufficient in maintaining independent community living and wellbeing; or a higher intensity of episodic or short-term services where improvements in function or capacity can be made, or further deterioration avoided.
The CHSP complements the Australian Government’s Home Care Packages Programme, which is:
- Designed to support older people living in the community whose care needs exceed the level of support which can be provided through the CHSP, and
- Provides consumers with higher intensity, ongoing services as well as an individualised budget that the consumer controls.
Frail, older people who require higher levels of ongoing support are also able to access Australian Government subsidised residential aged care places.
The CHSP is designed to play an important role in supporting frail, older people to delay, or avoid altogether, the need to move into more expensive forms of aged care, so that whole-of-system aged care costs can be kept at a sustainable level as the population ages and the number of people requiring aged care increases. A range of studies, both in Australia and overseas, have shown a positive relationship between receiving community services and delay/avoidance of more expensive residential care admissions. They have also shown that the earlier older people receive community care services, the longer their admission to more expensive forms of care can be delayed.
2.1Activity aims and objectives
Aims
The CHSP aims to support frail,older people to live as independently as possible, in their own home and community, for as long as they can and wish to do so through the provision of timely, entry-level home support services. Where the frail,older person has a carer, the CHSPwill also support the care relationship between CHSP clients and their carers who provide the support necessary to help the older person stay at home.
Objectives
The objectives of the CHSP are to:
- Provide high-quality support, at a low intensity on a short-term or ongoing basis, or higher intensity services delivered on a short-term or episodic basis, to frail,older people to maximise their independence at home and in the community for as long as they choose, thereby enhancing their wellbeing and quality of life
- Support frail, older clients aged 65 years and over (50 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) through the direct service delivery of planned respite services, which will allow regular carers to take a break from their usual caring duties
- Support clients to delay, or avoid altogether, the need to move into more expensive forms of aged care, such as Home Care Packages or residential aged care, so that whole-of-system aged care costs can be kept at a sustainable level as the population ages and the number of people requiring care increases
- Ensure that all clients, including those with special needs, have equity of access to services that are socially and culturally appropriate and free from discrimination
- Ensure through the quality framework, including the Home Care Standards, that clients receive high quality services
- Facilitate client choice – to enhance the independence and wellbeing of older people, and ensure that services are responsive to the needs of clients
- Provide a standardised assessment process which encompasses a holistic view of client needs
- Provide flexible, timely services that are responsive to local needs.
2.2Sub-Activities
There are fivesub-activities under the CHSP:
- Community and Home Support
- Care Relationships and Carer Support
- Assistance with Care and Housing
- Service System Development
- Regional Assessment Services
Each sub-activity has its own objectives, eligibility criteria, target population and outputs or service types as defined in the CHSP Programme Manual 2015.
2.3Applicant eligibility
The following entity types meet the eligibility requirements to be invited to apply for a grant for this activity:
- Incorporated Associations (incorporated under State/Territory legislation, commonly have 'Association' or 'Incorporated' or 'Inc.' in their legal name)
- Incorporated Cooperatives (also incorporated under State/Territory legislation, commonly have ‘Cooperative' in their legal name)
- Companies (incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 – may be a not-for-profit or for-profit proprietary company (limited by shares or by guarantee) or public companies)
- Aboriginal Corporations (incorporated under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006)
- Organisations established through a specific piece of Commonwealth or state/territory legislation (public benevolent institutions, churches, universities, unions etc)
- Partnerships
- Trustees on behalf of a Trust
- State and Territory Governments
- Local Governments
- Where there is no suitable alternative, an individual or – jointly and separately – individuals. Where (j) is used, it also needs to be stated who the decision maker is on the issue.
2.4Participants/clients/recipients/target group
All participants will enter the CHSP through the My Aged Care centralised screening process. Most clients will have a face-to-face assessment which determines their level of frailty or other issues which would make them eligible for CHSP services.
The CHSPProgramme Manual 2015details arrangements for CHSP service provider interactions with My Aged Care in more detail.
Eligible clients, as defined by the target groups, may receive CHSP services.
Target groups under the CHSP include:
- For the Community and Home Support sub-activity, frail, older people (aged 65 years and over or 50 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) and who need assistance with daily living to remain living independently at home and in the community
- For the Care Relationships and Carer Support sub-activity, frail,older CHSP clients aged 65 years and over (50 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) will be the direct service recipients of planned respite services, which will allow regular carersto take a break from their usual caring duties
- For the Assistance with Care and Housing sub-activity, people aged 50 years and over on a low income who are homeless or at risk of homelessness as a result of experiencing housing stress or not having secure accommodation
- For the Service System Development sub-activity, grant recipients funded under the CHSP and their service delivery client base.
In certain circumstances, CHSP services may be provided to people who do not meet the target group criteria and who need assistance with daily living to remain living independently at home and in the community, where this is specifically agreed between DSS and the grant recipient. These circumstances include where DSS determines the arrangement is justified because: