Individual funding—information and glossary

Contemporary services promote increased flexibility and a focus on outcomes for individuals through an emphasis on individual planning.

Definition of outcomes

Outcomes are the difference or differences that services make to individuals and communities. Outcomes may be identified by evaluating to what extent services have met defined objectives. This definition can be applied to individuals, services and government.

Government outcome:The impact a Commission funded service has on the people with disability using that service,eg people with disability access appropriate services and supports that promote their wellbeing, choice and control over their lives.

Service outcome:The difference or result the service delivers for individuals,eglearning new skills. This is the level of reporting outcomes to the Commission that will be required as part of the contract between the Commission and the service provider.

Individual outcome:The difference or differences for an individual as a result of their involvement in a service or activity, egin the planning process the individual may identify that they have finished school and want something meaningful to do. The individual’s stated outcome may be adequate training for work. The subsequent outcome could be to obtain paid work, a volunteering role or to change direction.

Definition of outputs

A quantity of something produced or delivered, for example hours of service, number of service events. The Delivering Community Services in Partnership Policy supports the shift to measuring outcomes and less focus on outputs.

Individual plans

Individual plan:A document that describes the life a person would like to lead, how they will achieve this and who and what will help them achieve this. The plan will document supports or strategies the organisation will provide to assist the individual to reach results. It will clearly state how the person and the service will know they have achieved the desired results. This may include formal supports.

Once approved by the Commission, the individual plan will form the basis of a customer contract (order form) between the Commission and the service provider to provide services to that individual. The development of individual plans will be the basis of the reporting to the Commission.

Strategies:Documented strategies include aseries of practical and realistic actions the service provider and the individual agree to as part of the support plan to achieve the person’s outcomes.Previously, organisations worked within program boundaries and were limited to providing a specific set of support strategies. The removal of program specific boundaries provides greater flexibility to the individual and organisation in determining how to achieve their desired outcome.

Budget:An itemised summary of estimated or intended income and expenditure. In the individual planning context, this may include contributions from the person as well as other sources, including money allocated from the Commission.

Note: As well as financial resources the plan may include non-financial resources such as community, personal, mainstream and specialist disability resources.

Reporting to the Commission

The Commission has amended its reporting framework to government to better report on outcomes from funded services. As a result of this the following two performance indicators have been agreed with the Department of Treasury:

  • Percentage of individual plans commenced and reviewed within the required time frame (2013–2014).
  • Percentage of service users who achieved their individual plan outcomes (2014–2015).

This means that in 2013–2014service providers will be asked to report on the number of plans that they have developed and commenced within the required timeframe and the total possible number. This is a proxy measure of outcomes – ie because the plans are written to achieve outcomes this measure counts progress on individualised planning. It is designed to be a transition step towards outcome measurement by organisations.

In 2014–2015and beyond the Commission will measure outcomes by asking organisations to identify and record the achievement of individual outcomes in the individual plan review stage. Organisations are not being asked to have this in place in 2013–2014and further work will be undertaken with service providers during 2013–2014on the transition to outcome measurement. There are several ways to measure outcomes and the work with providers will assist them to select the best method for their organisation and service.

Individual planning principles

The following principles should underpin all planning with people with disability, their families and carers and characterise the engagement between the person with disability and their chosen service providers:

  • The person with the disability is central to the planning and decision-making process.
  • Planning is based on the person’s wishes, capabilities and strengths, and respects their uniqueness as a person.
  • Planning incorporates appropriate safeguards to address vulnerability, and opportunities to learn from experience.
  • Planning may include people who are known and trusted by the individual.
  • The plans’ outcomes and strategies are potentially achievable and are reviewable.
  • Planning is flexible and can incorporate the use of informal supports and local community connections togetherwith formal, paid supports and services.
  • Planning is an accountable process, reported on for the purpose of facilitating good practice.

Assessment of plansthrough the quality evaluation process (Quality Management Framework)

The current quality evaluation process will be further developed in 2013–2014 to include criteria about the quality of individual plans and the achievement of outcomes for individuals. The types of matters that are likely to be reviewed through the quality evaluations of plans are that:

  • A current support plan is recorded and available for quality review.
  • The plan is recorded in easy to understand language.
  • The outcomes sought for the person are clearly stated in the plan and are potentially achievable by the next review date.
  • The plan is tailored to the individual’s needs and wishes.
  • The plan outlines the strategies to achieve outcomes and the parties responsible.
  • Strategies are within the scopeto the service provider and are directly related to the outcome sought.
  • The plan identifies that the person has been part of the process.

Further information

Collette Morrow

Media and Public Affairs Coordinator

Disability Services Commission

Ph: 9426 9260

Email: