Supported Accommodation

In reply to the Hon. T.A. FRANKS (21 June 2018).

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services): The Department of Human Services has advised:

We believe in the principle that people with disability should have choice in the services they receive—this aligns with the guiding principles of the NDIS.

By supporting clients to enter the NDIS marketplace and gradually withdrawing state-run services, the state government is giving people with disability and their families the opportunity to have a new level of control over their service options (noting that housing arrangements are not directly affected).

On 12 June, staff and their representatives were informed that the public corporation established under the previous government would no longer be required. No announcement regarding the time frame had been announced.

Although a public corporation had been set up by the previous government, it was still in the establishment phase and did not yet have any operational control, so deciding not to proceed with it has had no direct impact on clients or employees.

An extensive consultation process commenced as soon as the government had an agreed direction out of cabinet on Monday 25 June.

Consultation will run over the coming months with clients, families and guardians, employees, unions and the sector and will inform how changes occur.

The consultation on the change process will be focussed on achieving the best possible outcomes according to these three guiding principles:

1. Continuity in quality client services and supporting client choice

2. Retention of skilled and experienced employees in the disability sector

3. Growth of the local South Australian non-government sector.