Volume 3: Human Services Policy and Funding Plan 2015-19, update 2017-18
Chapter 4: Activity descriptions
Contents
Activity information
Service delivery tracking
Output group
Output
Objective
Description of the service
Client group
Service delivery
Service redevelopment
Monitoring and review
Service Agreement
Human Services Standards
Monitoring performance
Performance measures
Key performance measure 1: Number of clients
Data collection information
Key documents
Mandatory
Volume 3: Chapter 4: Activity descriptions1
Activity information
Service delivery tracking
Service delivery tracking activity? Yes
Output group
Disability services
Output
Client services and capacity
Objective
Flexible support packages are developed in partnership with people with a disability, and their families and carers, to plan for and implement flexible supports tailored to individual needs and priorities.
Description of the service
Flexible support packages provide discretionary funding and/or case management to support people with a disability and their families and carers on a short or long-term basis.
The development and implementation of a flexible support package is based on a self-directed planning and support approach. The principles of the self-directed approach are self-determination, choice, inclusion, transparency, accessibility and citizenship.
The plan should specify at a minimum:
•the goals identified by the person, strategies to achieve these goals, along with details of supports that may assist and how these may be accessed
•who is responsible for implementing the strategies
•potential sources of funding, if any.
Planning and support for children and young people with a disability is family centred. Planning in partnership with people with a disability and their families is characterised by:
•planning based on interests, strengths, needs and goals
•sharing ideas, knowledge, skills and strategies to support people with a disability and their families in making choices and decisions
•respect for the culture, values and priorities of people with a disability and their families.
Supports provided will complement informal and other community supports and assist people to maintain and develop informal networks and participate in their community.
Client group
The target group for flexible support packages is:
- people with a disability as defined under the Disability Act 2006 and considered a priority for access to services (refer to Disability Services Access Policy 2009)
- children under school age who have a disability and high support needs.
Service delivery
Community service organisations (CSOs).
Service redevelopment
The department will continue to monitor service provision, and where necessary, may amend service specifications or funding allocations based on community needs or in response to changes to government policy and priorities.
During the current Service Agreement the roll out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme will commence in Victoria. The introduction of the scheme will mean changes in the way services are accessed and the funding arrangements for service providers. Community service organisations are expected to work collaboratively with the department and the National Disability Insurance Agency to facilitate a smooth transition.
Monitoring and review
Service Agreement
The Department of Health and Human Services monitors and reviews the organisation’s compliance with the Service Agreement’s requirements set out in the terms and conditions and schedules including the Applicable Departmental Policies. The Service Agreement is used to manage funding provided through the department for services delivered by community service organisations and local government authorities.
The Service Agreement includes two Applicable Departmental Policies:
- Department of Health and Human Services Policy and Funding Guidelines
- Service Agreement Information Kit
The Service Agreement Information Kit provides information on the Service Agreement terms and conditions (chapter 3) and Applicable Departmental Policies (chapter 4). The Service Agreement Information Kit must be read in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services Policy and Funding Guidelines.
Human Services Standards
Organisations funded to provide services to clients are required through the Service Agreement to meet the gazetted Department of Health and Human Services Standards (Human Services Standards) and can be monitored in relation to their compliance with these standards.
Organisations funded through this activity are subject to independent review and accreditation requirements under the Human Services Standards, except where exempted by the department.
Organisations funded to deliver this service activity are required to be registered in accordance with the department's Policy, procedures and forms for the registration of disability service providers and community services
Monitoring performance
Funding is subject to the delivery of specified targets in performance measures.Where actual annual performance is less than 100 per cent of target performance the funded organisation should provide the Department of Health and Human Services with a justification for retaining full funding.
Performance measures
Key performance measure 1: Number of clients
Definition / This performance measure provides information about the number of clients who received supports funded through flexible support packages either on a short or long-term basis.Aim/objective / To measure the number of clients receiving a flexible support package.
Target / Provided in Service Agreement.
Type of count / Non-cumulative
Counting rule / Count the number of clients who received support through flexible support packages during the reporting period.
Monitoring frequency / Monthly/ quarterly
Data source(s) collection / Agencies enter data on:
•CRIS/CRISSP/Quarterly data collection quarterly, and
•Service delivery tracking system monthly.
Definition of terms / A client refers to an individual receiving support through flexible support packages.
Data collection information
Data collections comprise data management systems and data sets.
Data collection name / Data management system / Data set / Reporting cycleService delivery tracking (SDT) / FAC/SAMS2 / SAMS2/Service delivery tracking data set / Monthly
Quarterly data collection-disability / Quarterly data collection- tool / Quarterly data collection
- minimum data set / Quarterly
CRIS/CRISSP / CRIS/CRISSP / CRIS/CRISSP / Quarterly
Key documents
Mandatory
Disability Services Access Policy 2009
Disability Services Planning Policy - Disability Services Division 2009
Disability Support Register (DSR) Guidelines – March 2015
Flexible Support Packages Guidelines 2013
Looking After Children framework for children and young people living in out-of-home care arrangements A guide for disability service providers March 2012 (Family Options Providers only)
Disability Services Access Policy – an implementation guide
To receive this publication in an accessible format, emailService Agreement Communications<>Authorised and published by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne.
© State of Victoria, Department of Health and Human Services, 1 July 2017.
Where the term ‘Aboriginal’ is used it refers to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Indigenous is retained when it is part of the title of a report, program or quotation.
ISSN2207-8347 (online)
Available on the department’s website
Volume 3: Chapter 4: Activity descriptions1