DISABILITY SA CLIENT TRUST ACCOUNT

In reply to the Hon. K.L. VINCENT (19 May 2011) (First Session).

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers): I am advised:

On 25 May 2012, I announced the revision of the initiative after months of consultation and feedback from the disability community and advocacy groups. This revised policy was outlined in the 2012-13 Budget.

Under the revised arrangements Disability Services clients, who were receiving a client trust funds management service before 1 April 2011, will continue to receive these services.

From 1 April 2011, the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion (DCSI) ceased accepting new clients into its client trust fund management service.

Individuals who became clients of Disability Services after 1 April 2011, and who are unable to manage their day-to-day funds because of the severity of their disability, continue to have a choice in who administers their funds. For example, they may elect to apply to the Guardianship Board to use the services of the Public Trustee, a family member or other appropriately authorised providers of trustee services.

The decision to cease providing client trust fund management services to new clients after 1 April 2011 has not been reversed. The basis for this decision is that the management of client trust funds is not a core function of DCSI and is more appropriately provided by the Public Trustee or other trust administrator, who specialises in this area.