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SELECT IF ((publish_up_stamp = 1734799260),1,0) AS is_published_down, IF ((content_state = 1 OR content_state = 1734838860) AND item_extra_rank > 0,1,0) AS is_featured FROM `com_sphinxsearch_nds_main_index_prod_index` WHERE MATCH('(@type \"_news_\") (@type \"_news_\")') AND `is_published_up` = 1 AND `is_published_down` = 1 AND `is_not_archived` = 1 AND `is_published_up` = 1 AND `is_published_down` = 1 AND `is_not_archived` = 1 ORDER BY `is_featured` DESC , publish_up_days_from_now ASC , `title_ordering` ASC , `extra_rank` DESC LIMIT 0, 2New Social Services regulatory reform for Victorian funded providers
11/06/2021
What you need to know
- DFFH is preparing to legislate a new Social Services framework
- The reforms involve the creation of new Social Services Standards and a new Worker and Carer Exclusion Scheme.
- NDS is advocating for alignment with the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding framework, and consideration of the interaction between the new Worker Scheme and NDIS Checks.
- NDS members receiving DFFH funding are encouraged to attend the upcoming information session.
The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) is reforming the way that social services are regulated through the introduction of new Social Services Standards and the development of a new independent regulatory body to oversee them. The new scheme will replace the current Human Services Standards and will include an element of worker and carer regulation.
These reforms are designed to consolidate a range of social services sectors, including state-funded non-NDIS disability, homelessness, family violence, children, youth and families and supported residential services, under a single framework and regulator. The new regulator will be independent and report directly to the Minister. This will provide separation from policy design, funding models and service agreement management which will continue to be administered by DFFH.
Disability services not funded by NDIS (eg. by DFFH or TAC), and those currently registered under the Disability Act (due to gazettal of their disability houses) are affected by the changes.
NDS is advocating for formal recognition of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Standards within the new framework, and for DFFH to consider the interaction between the new Worker and Carer Exclusion Scheme and current NDIS Worker Screening Checks.
We are keen to hear any feedback from members about the proposed regulation.
Information session
DFFH is holding an information session for Victorian funded disability service providers and funded advocacy bodies to share the latest information about the reforms, and how these might affect your organisation. It will be chaired by Arthur Rogers, former Disability Services Commissioner.
Event details
Date: Monday, 21 June 2021
Time: 3.30pm – 4.30pm
Location: online
Register via Eventbrite by Friday, 19 June to receive the online event link and any updates.
For any enquiries, please contact Clare Hambly, Policy and Projects Officer, Quality and Safeguarding, clare.hambly@nds.org.au, 0448 076 987