Post School Supports Assessment

Post School Supports Assessment Information for School Leavers with disability & their families

2017

Post School Supports Assessment

Information for school leavers with disability who live in areas of NSW transitioning to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) from 1 July 2017

This fact sheet includes information for young people with disability and their parents/guardians about the 2017 Post School Supports Assessment process.

The NDIS is commencing across NSW between 1 July 2016 and 30 June 2018. The NDIS is funded by the Commonwealth and State Governments and will replace the existing state disability specialist system.

School leavers who live in areas that will transition to the NDIS from 1 July 2017 can choose to participate in the NSW Department of Family and Community Services, Ageing, Disability and Home Care (FACS) Post School Supports Assessment process, however a NSW funded Post School Program (Community Participation program or Transition to Work program) will not be provided. Instead, with consent, FACS will provide the assessment information to the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to support an application under the NDIS. If the school leaver participates in the Post School Supports Assessment, ADHC will provide information to the school leaver and their family about the next steps in September 2017.

School leavers who live in areas of NSW that have begun transitioning or have transitioned to the NDIS are not eligible to be assessed using the FACS Post School Supports Assessment. School leavers who live in these areas can choose to participate in the NDIS School Leaver Employment Support (SLES) Functional Assessment for 2017 School Leavers. For more information on this assessment speak to your school principal.

A list of NSW areas and their NDIS transition timeframes is included on page 5 of this fact sheet. A postcode checker is also available on the NDIS website at http://ndis.nsw.gov.au/.

What is the NDIS?

The NDIS will replace the state disability system. The NDIS is a new way of working that provides people with disability with choice and control over their lives and the supports they receive.

The NDIS is commencing across NSW between 1 July 2016 and 30 June 2018.

What supports will be available under the NDIS?

Under the NDIS, eligible people with disability will have an opportunity to make their own decisions about what supports they need and who provides them.

With the NDIS, instead of specific programs being provided, eligible people with disability, through their NDIS plan will be able to obtain the reasonable and necessary supports they need.. This means that many of the types of supports and activities that are available from FACS will be available under the NDIS.

If a young person is already receiving disability support from FACS then those current support arrangements will continue until the person can apply to obtain support under the NDIS. At that point, staff from the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) will meet with the person to discuss their support needs and how these can be met through the NDIS.

What is the 2017 Post School Supports Assessment?

The Post School Supports Assessment is an assessment used by FACS to determine whether a person is eligible for post school supports under the NDIS. FACS uses this assessment to support school leavers with disability who live in areas yet to transition to the NDIS to obtain supports under the NDIS (where eligible).

Assessments are conducted in schools by Support Teachers Transition (STTs), consultants and school based assessors who have been trained by FACS and the Australian Health Services Research Institute (AHSRI) in the University of Wollongong. In 2017, assessments will be conducted between 26 April and 30 June 2017. Young people and their parents/guardians are encouraged to take part in the assessment. It may be useful for young people and their families/guardians to arrange to have a meeting with the school contact prior to the assessment so that there is a better understanding of the process.

It is important to understand that young people do not need to prepare for this assessment. The questions asked will be about the person’s functioning in their everyday life and what level of support they need.

If an interpreter is needed one can be arranged by calling the Life Skills and Respite Information line on 1800 761 030.

Eligibility to participate in the Post School Supports Assessment

To be eligible to participate in a Post School Supports Assessment the school leaver must:

·  have a disability defined under the Disability Inclusion Act 2014,

·  be leaving school and a minimum of 17 years of age by 31 December 2017,

·  not be undertaking full time paid employment, full time vocational education or full time higher education (part time employment and education is encouraged) and

·  be a resident of NSW.

Consent

Before an assessment can begin the school leaver or their parent/guardian must consent to the assessment.

Consent is given by filling out the Information Recording Consent Form for 2017 School Leavers. Completed forms must be given to the assessor before the assessment can proceed. A copy of this form will be provided by the assessor and is also available on the Post School Supports page of the ADHC website by going to www.adhc.nsw.gov.au/school-leaver-programs.

What does the Post School Supports Assessment include?

The Post School Supports Assessment was developed by the Australian Health Services Research Institute in the University of Wollongong.

The assessment is divided into 3 sections:

Section 1: Background Information

In this part of the assessment information is recorded including the person’s name, age, gender, country of birth, address, school and disability type.

Section 2: Functional Assessment

This section looks at areas in a person’s life where they require assistance and the level of the support which is needed. The Functional Assessment section is divided into four parts:

·  Functional Overview (Section 2, Part 1)

This part of the assessment is made up of 9 multiple choice questions and is designed to provide a snapshot of how the person is managing at the moment. Questions in this part of the assessment are about activities that all people need to complete as part of their daily lives. For example, one question asks if the young person can go shopping for groceries or clothing without help, with some help, or whether the person cannot go shopping for groceries or clothing at all.

·  Domestic Activities of Daily Living (Section 2, Part 2)

There are 8 multiple choice questions in this part of the assessment. Questions ask what a person can do at home and how much support they need to get around. These questions are similar to those asked in Part 1 but they provide a more detailed picture of what the person can do. This part includes questions about whether the person can use the telephone, or can take responsibility for their own medications.

·  Self Care Assessment (Section 2, Part 3)

This part includes 10 multiple choice questions about personal care and indoor mobility. Questions are about whether a young person can do things such as showering, dressing and eating.

·  Behavioural Functioning Assessment (Section 2, Part 4)

These questions provide information about the person’s behaviour support needs. There are 5 multiple choice questions which make up this part of the assessment. In addition, a space is provided where additional information about the level and nature of support required for people with significant behaviour and/or mental health issues can be added.

Section 3: Additional Information

The abilities of each person and the supports required for the person to achieve their potential are individual, complex and difficult to capture in a single assessment. A separate space is included for information that assists in understanding the person’s support needs, including information from families and carers. If there is any information that the person or their parent/guardian feels has not been adequately addressed, it should be included in this section. Examples of information that could be added include details of the person’s personal care needs, or if they have had work experience or training and whether this has been successful.

If anything in the assessment is unclear, school leavers and families are encouraged to ask questions.

Assessments can occur in a face-to-face meeting with the assessor. In some circumstances, for example where distance is a barrier, an assessment may take place over the phone or be conducted based on pre-existing knowledge of the young person and their support needs.

The assessment forms are completed and lodged electronically with FACS. The assessor should provide a copy of the assessment to the school leaver and/or their parent/guardian.

When the completed assessments are received by FACS, personal details are removed. The de-identified information is then sent to the University of Wollongong for analysis and to identify the person’s eligibility for Post School Supports.

When will school leavers and their families be notified of the assessment outcome?

In September 2017, FACS will contact all school leavers who were assessed as part of the 2017 FACS assessment process to inform them about their eligibility for post school supports under the NDIS and to provide information about the next steps.

If a person is assessed as not eligible for post school supports, FACS will write to the applicant advising them about other services that may be available. For example, information about FACS Ability Links, Commonwealth disability employment supports and supports available through Centrelink.

Can the outcome of the assessment be reviewed?

No, however if a school leaver is assessed as not eligible for post school supports under the NDIS through this assessment process, they can make an application directly to the NDIA. More information is available on the NDIS website at www.ndis.gov.au.

Making a complaint about the assessment process

If a person or their parent/guardian is dissatisfied with the way in which their assessment was administered, the conduct of a FACS employee during the process, any related service delivery or policy issue, they have the right to make a complaint. Information about this process is available from the Life Skills and Respite Information Line on 1800 761 030 or the ADHC website www.adhc.nsw.gov.au.

NSW NDIS transition area timeframes and the assessment process

The NSW and Commonwealth Governments signed an agreement regarding the NDIS commencement in NSW between 1 July 2016 and 30 June 2018.

The FACS districts listed below started transitioning to the NDIS on 1 July 2016. 2017 school leavers with disability in these areas should be assessed using the NDIS School Leaver Employment Support (SLES) Functional Assessment:

·  Central Coast

·  Hunter New England

·  Nepean Blue Mountains

·  Northern Sydney

·  South Western Sydney

·  Southern NSW

·  Western Sydney

The FACS Districts listed below will begin transitioning to the NDIS from 1 July 2017. School leavers with disability in these areas should be assessed using the FACS Post School Supports Assessment:

·  Illawarra Shoalhaven

·  Mid North Coast

·  Murrumbidgee

·  Northern NSW

·  South Eastern Sydney

·  Sydney

·  Western NSW

·  Far West

Timing for the NSW 2017 Post School Supports Assessment Process

26 April - 30 June 2017 / Assessment period.
School leavers and their families/guardians complete the 2017 Post School Supports Assessment.
Assessments are submitted on line to FACS by the school based assessor who completed the assessment with the school leaver.
Note: Assessments will not be accepted after close of business on 30 June 2017.
September 2017 / ADHC will contact all school leavers and their families to advise on the outcome of the assessment and the next steps for obtaining supports through the NDIS.
School leavers assessed as not eligible for post school supports through the NDIS will be provided with information on other supports available.

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