Getting the language right

Tags: complex support

Description:

How to write effective support documentation for people with disabilities and complex health and support needs seeking access to the NDIS.

First published: April 2018
Updated: May 2023

Collaborative discharge approach – An overview

Tags: CDA, community, complex support, NDIS

Description:

A Collaborative Discharge Approach (CDA) is a process to ensure that people under 65 with disability or complex support needs in hospital can achieve an effective and timely discharge back into the community with National Disability Insurance System (NDIS) supports.

This overview provides a snapshot of how health can work with support coordinators to achieve this and includes links to resources that align with specific actions.

First published: December 2019
Last updated: May 2023

The healthcare needs and general practice utilization of people with acquired neurological disability and complex needs: A scoping review

Tags: complex support, disability support

Description:

For people with acquired neurological disabilities and complex needs, general practitioners (GPs) play an important role in health management and early intervention for the prevention of comorbidities and health complications. People with disability are a vulnerable group who need and have the right to, quality general practice services. It is therefore important to understand the health needs and service use of this group. The aim of this review was to identify the healthcare needs and general practice utilization of people with acquired neurological disabilities and complex needs.

This paper found that people with acquired neurological disabilities and complex needs were vulnerable to receiving suboptimal healthcare. The literature highlighted issues regarding the accessibility of services, the fragmentation of health services and inadequate preventative care. GPs were challenged to offer adequate disability‐related expertise and to meet the mental health needs of people with disability within time constraints.

Citation:

Oliver, S., Douglas, J., Winkler, D., Pearce, C., Minter, E., Jarman, H. K., and Topping, M. (2022). The healthcare needs and general practice utilization of people with acquired neurological disability and complex needs: A scoping review. Health Expectations

Development and preliminary evaluation of a novel participant-led video intervention to train disability support workers

Tags: community participation, complex support, disability support, NDIS participant, participant led videos, support worker

Description:

This paper describes the development and preliminary evaluation of a novel participant-led video (PLV) intervention to support people with disability (PWD) and cognitive and communication impairments to communicate their needs and preferences to their disability support workers. The PLV intervention was piloted with five primary participants with acquired brain injury and cognitive and communication impairments, five close other supporters and five facilitators. Analysis of interview data revealed the PLV to be a person-centred experience for primary participants that was structured around sense of self and included having a voice and taking control in directing their lives, personal growth through participation and feeling validated through the experience. The production and use of PLV training resources has much potential to improve the delivery of support and maximise support outcomes by enabling people with cognitive and communication impairments to have choice and control, set their own goals and direct their supports.

Citation:

Douglas, J., D’Cruz, K., Winkler, D., Topping, M., Bucolo, C., & Finis, C. (2022). Development and preliminary evaluation of a novel participant-led video intervention to train disability support workers. Health & Social Care in the Community, 00, 1–12.

Sam Shares ‘things that helped me move’

Tags: complex support, NDIS, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)

Description:

Sam has moved from a group home into an SDA apartment. Sam would like to share with others things that helped this move. “We don’t know what we could be, but it is a lot more than they expect.”

Shanais living independently in an SDA Apartment

Tags: accessible housing, complex support, independence, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)

Description:

Shanais describes how life changing it is to be living independently in an accessible apartment in Melbourne.

What is a support coordinator?

Tags: complex support, disability support, NDIS participant, support coordinator

Description:

Linda Rossow, Independent Support Coordinator, explains her role as a support coordinator and what this means for the participants she works with.

Establishing Effective SDA Projects

Tags: complex support, housing, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)

Description:

This document shares the practical elements of what is involved in creating housing projects that are suitable for people with complex needs and eligible for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) payments. The report provides an overview and checklist for six stages of delivering SDA projects.

A successful transition to more independent living

Tags: complex support, housing, NDIS plan

Description:

This report sets out the current understanding of what is required to support a tenant with complex support needs to successfully transition to living in their new home, pursuing their goals and aspirations with as much independence and confidence as possible.

Living like everyone else

Tags: complex support, disability support, support coordinator

Description:

This comprehensive guide explains 24-hour support options for people with disability and complex needs, detailing how people can live more independently in their own homes. By coordinating factors such as housing location, design, advanced communication and environmental control technology – together with new ways of delivering support – best practice 24- hour support doesn’t need to involve a continual staff presence