The Future of Carer Support Karen Wilson Branch Manager Disability and Carers Policy 24 October 2014.

The Future of Carer SupportKaren Wilson

Branch ManagerDisability and Carers Policy

24 October 2014

National Respite Association Conference – The Future of Carer Support 2

Acknowledgement of Country

I acknowledge the traditional owners on whose land we

meet today. I pay my respects to their elders both past and

present.

3

Overview

National Respite Association Conference – The Future of Carer Support

• New Department of Social Services structure

• Cross sector view on carer issues

• What stakeholders have told us

• Ideas for a more integrated carer support model

4

Broad Department focus

• One area to take a connected DSS approach on carer issues

• Opportunity to consider carer needs regardless of who they are caring for

• Regular conversations across DSS areas to ensure consistency and knowledge sharing



How many carers are there?

(SDAC 2012)

under 25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75 and over0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

MalesFemales

Age Group (years)

Estimates ('000)


Supply of informal carers not increasing at the same rate as demand

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DSS services and supports for carers


In 2013-14:

• 10 DSS programmes assisted and supported carers in their caring role

• Total funding for these programmes was over $500 million

• Over 300,000 carers received assistance through the 10 programmes


What stakeholders have told us

Research undertaken in 2013 highlighted:

• Carers experience difficulty navigating the service system and the fragmentation of support

• They would like to “make it easier for carers to identify the service and the point of access”

• There is a need for a more streamlined and coordinated systems approach to carers support

• There is a lack of alignment across key frameworks regarding how carers are identified, assessed and supported, and

• There is limited communications and coordination between different levels of government and between agencies


Aged Care reform – what it means for carers

• Valuing carers

• Commonwealth Home Support Programme to support carers of older people (aged 65 years and over, or 50 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)

• Carers of older people use My Aged Care as the pathway to carer support

• Provide quality care for the care recipient


NDIS - what it means for carers

• Trial sites are in VIC, NSW, SA, TAS, ACT and NT

• One of the core aims of the NDIS is to better support families and carers in their caring role

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NDIS - what it means for carers (continued)


• The Agency will consider the assistance provided by carers when working with participants to develop individual plans and support packages

• Local Agency offices will discuss any questions carers may have about the Scheme


Mental health services and programmes – what it means for

carers

• The National Mental Health Commission review of mental health

services and programmes

• Mental Health Respite: Carer Support program delivering flexible

support for carers


Welfare reform

• The Interim Report of the Reference Group on Welfare Reform was

released on 29 June 2014

• The Report proposes a new system based around four pillars of

reform:

– A simpler and sustainable income support system

– Strengthening individual and family capability

– Engaging with employers

– Building community capacity


An Integrated Carer Support Model

• Should there be an identifiable point of access for all carers?

• What could an integrated carer support model look like?

• Should there be one carer assessment process?

• How do we encourage and maintain innovative approaches to carer support?

• How do we effectively support carers to engage in, or remain in, education, training or paid work where appropriate?

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Next steps


• The Department will consult with stakeholders over the next six

months to co-design an integrated carer support model

• The future of Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres

(CRCCs) will also be considered when developing a model


For more information

Email questions/comments to:

[email protected] or [email protected]

The Department’s website is:

www.dss.gov.au

http://www.dss.gov.au/agedcarereform

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Thank you


The Future of Carer Support Karen Wilson Branch Manager Disability and Carers Policy 24 October 2014.

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