NDIA Mental Health Sector Reference Group
Terms of Reference
(Updated January 2016)
Purpose
The purpose of the NDIA Mental Health Sector Reference Group (NMHSRG) is to establish a strong working partnership and communication mechanism between the Mental Health sector and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). The group is advisory only and not a decision making body. For the purposes of these Terms of Reference the ‘sector’ refers to the broad spectrum of Australians with an interest in mental health, including: Scheme participants and prospective participants, their families and carers, providers, peak bodies, clinical mental health and health services and Mental Health Commissioners. The NDIA hopes to develop a robust and ongoing relationship with the sector to inform a number of work streams and projects relating to mental health.
The NMHSRG provides feedback and comment on the NDIA Mental Health Work Plan 2015-16 that outlines key strategic projects on mental health managed by NDIA. The collaborative approach to the work plan is to ensure people with psychosocial disability, their families and carers can realise opportunities afforded by the roll out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and its services, supports and processes. Meetings of the NMHSRG are also an opportunity for members to present position papers and projects for consideration.
In providing advice and feedback on the current NDIS operations and full Scheme design, the group will pay particular attention to:
o the experience of people with psychosocial disability of the NDIS
o participant and provider expectations
o points where partnership with the health sector is typically required, and
o consistent communication about mental health and the NDIS.
While not the primary focus, the NMHSRG may provide the opportunity to further explore and develop the mental health support needs for people with other disabilities including intellectual disability and autism.
The NMHSRG forward work plan includes, but is not limited to: the improvement of NDIA processes and tools in relation to psychosocial disability, collaboration and partnership between the Scheme and health sector, and exploring the optimal provision of support for people with psychosocial disability to reach their goals and aspirations and enjoy a contributing life in the community.
The NMHSRG was established in 2014 and continues to be responsible for reviewing and providing feedback to the proposed direction of service development and sector reform.
Chairperson
The NMHSRG will be chaired by the NDIA Strategic Adviser.
Membership
Nominated members of the NDIA Mental Health Sector Reference Group will be appointed by the Chairperson on a part-time basis and will consist of representatives of:
· National Mental Health consumer (2) and carer (1) forum
· Mental Health Commissioners (1)
· NDIA General Manager of Scheme Design (1)
· NDIA Operational Division Representative (1)
· NDIS Independent Advisory Council (2)
· Mental Health Australia (1)
· Community Mental Health Australia (1)
· Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Principal Committee (2)
· Commonwealth Government, Department of Social Services (1), and
· Commonwealth Government, Department of Health (1)
Nominations for representatives will be sought and agreed by the NDIA’s Strategic Adviser in consultation with the NDIS Independent Advisory Council. At the discretion of the Chairperson, additional members may be required to address any arising need for expertise.
As required, specialists may be seconded to the NMHSRG to present and/or provide specialist advice. Where this occurs, the relevant NDIA Project Manager will notify the group in advance of the meeting.
The NMHSRG values the unique experience and insights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people from rural and remote areas with psychosocial disability, their families and carers. The NMHSRG has made a commitment to increase engagement with representatives of these cohorts during 2016.
Where relevant, Project Managers will attend meetings to provide updates on current work and provide a Secretariat function to the group.
There is commitment to strengthening the partnerships that have been established with current State and Territory Clinical Mental Health Services in trial sites and the operational contribution to the NMHSRG will be sought for specific insight and / or feedback relating to existing services and programs.
Feedback and Accountability
Each NMHSRG member is nominated by their representative body and will be responsible for seeking feedback from time to time from the group or body they are representing.
Updates and feedback to the NMHSRG may be verbal or written depending on the nature of the discussions and the comment sought.
Where a member identifies a potential conflict of interest to an NMHSRG agenda item, this should be communicated to the Chairperson prior to, or at commencement of, a meeting of the NMHSRG. The Chairperson will then determine how to proceed and the conflict of interest will be noted in the minutes.
Term and Meetings
These updated Terms of Reference will be endorsed by the group at its first meeting in 2016.
The NMHSRG will meet quarterly, during 2016.
The Terms of Reference and its membership will be reviewed annually by the NDIA, in consultation with key stakeholders.
Working Methods
The NMHSRG will meet as a semi-formal, interactive discussion group that will be facilitated by the Chairperson or the Project Manager.
The aim is to generate discussion and feedback. It is important for every perspective to be heard and considered in respect of the process of reform and the anticipated outcomes for participants.
It is anticipated that all members will conduct themselves in an appropriate manner at all times and listen respectfully to the opinions of all group members.
From time to time it may be appropriate for a member of the group to present or to facilitate a session to bring focus to a specific concept or issue.
Administration
The NMHSRG will not be a decision making forum, particularly not on the design of the Scheme that is the business of governments. The NMHSRG will not provide policy advice to government, with the exception of providing advice to the NDIA on matters related to psychosocial disability. It may however, present stakeholder views for consideration to third parties including governments including governments. The NMHSRG is a mechanism where members and the NDIA representatives are able to discuss mental health specific issues and collaborate on best possible outcomes for mental health and the NDIS.
The NMHSRG will meet at least four (4) times throughout the year at various locations to be agreed with group members. Every effort will be made to provide teleconference, or other accessible means, of participation.
The NMHSRG will discuss the strategic work plan relating to NDIA mental health activities.
The meetings will be organised by the Project Manager and chaired by the NDIA Strategic Adviser.
The agenda will be driven by the NDIA and based on the current work programme at any point in time. However, there will also be discussion at each meeting to ensure that all group members can contribute and raise issues for discussion and comment.
Agendas will be circulated via email ten (10) business days prior to each meeting.
Group members may from time to time suggest a guest speaker to present to the group however the speaker or presenter must be endorsed by the majority of group members and by the NDIA, before an invitation is extended by the Project Manager.
The Project Manager will record minutes of each of the meetings and will circulate draft minutes for review and approval within 14 business days. Minutes and meeting notes will be agreed and finalised prior to the next meeting and formally endorsed during the meeting.
From time to time it may be necessary and / or appropriate to meet via teleconference or video conference instead of, or between, face to face meetings. This intention will be noted and flagged well in advance wherever possible.
Reimbursement for consumer and carer representatives will be in accordance with NDIA policy. All other representatives will attend meetings at their organisation’s cost.
Information Sharing
All information shared with the NMHSRG is considered to be confidential and will be marked as such. Unless otherwise noted or stated in minutes and meeting notes information should not be circulated or shared with any groups other than those represented on the sector reference group.
NMHSRG members must not share discussions and documents with the news media.
It is planned to have a regular public communication following each meeting that is drafted in consultation with all members and then made available more widely.
Last updated: January 2016
For further information regarding the NDIA Mental Health Sector Reference Group please contact:
Ms. Petra Hill
E:
P: 03 5272 7664
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