To assist clients and potential clients of the service to understand the role and functions of the Younger People in Residential Aged Care initiative Assessment and Options Planning Service, the following information has been taken from the service specifications published by Disability Services Queensland (DSQ).

Further information on the YPIRAC initiative, including the full service specifications of the Assessment and Options Planning Service, can be found on the DSQ website:

Role of Assessment and Options Planning within the Initiative

In response to the Council Of Australian Governments (COAG) commitment to reduce the number of younger people with a disability in residential aged care, DSQ has implemented a five year initiative focusing on the achievement of the following three objectives:

DSQ has the overarching responsibility and day-to-day management for implementing this initiative in Queensland. DSQ will work closely with other stakeholders to ensure a coordinated approach for younger people with a disability in residential aged care.

The Assessment and Options Planning Service is an integral component of the initiative. The work of the Assessment and Options Planning Service will directly assist people with a disability who access the initiative as well as inform the broader development of the initiative.

Information regarding the accommodation, disability support and health care needs of people with a disability will be utilised to inform the development and continuous improvement of support models that will meet the needs of those eligible people who access services and/or supports through the initiative.

The information gathered in the assessment and options planning process will also be utilised to identify the disability support needs of those younger people with a disability who choose to remain in residential aged care, or for whom residential aged care remains the only available suitable option.

In order to achieve the aims and objectives of the initiative, the Assessment and Options Planning Service will develop collaborative relationships with DSQ, other government departments, non-government service providers and advocacy organisations to ensure effective service delivery and positive outcomes for people who choose to participate in the assessment and options planning process.

Acceptance of an offer for an assessment by people eligible for this initiative is voluntary and non-obligatory. People who choose to accept an offer for an assessment can choose not to participate further at any time throughout the assessment and options planning process.

Aims and Objectives of the Assessment and Options Planning Service Model

The aim of the Assessment and Options Planning Service is to ensure that each person’s needs and goals are clearly identified and taken into account in the assessment and planning process. In particular, people and their support networks should be actively involved in planning processes that relate to identifying, developing options and/or accessing the following supports:

The Assessment and Options Planning Service will also assist people and their support network to make well informed decisions regarding alternate accommodation and support options that may be offered to the person through this initiative.

Description of the Assessment and Options Planning Service Model

DSQ will refer people who are eligible for this initiative to the Assessment and Options Planning Service for an independent assessment and to facilitate the options planning process.

The Assessment and Options Planning Service will engage and collaborate with each person and their support networks to gain a thorough understanding of their accommodation and support needs through a process that is person-centred, holistic and inclusive of the person’s health care, personal care and lifestyle support needs.

Person-centred practice and a developmental approach to service delivery is integral to this initiative, as is collaborative practice and individualised planning. The Assessment and Options Planning Service will be required to incorporate these principles into all aspects of service delivery and to utilise processes and practices that are commensurate with the Disability Services Act 2006 and the Queensland Disability Service Standards.

It is expected that approximately 200 people will be referred for assessment and options planning between March 2007 and March 2009. The Assessment and Options Planning Service will be provided across all DSQ regions.

The Assessment and Options Planning Service will be located in Queensland and have the knowledge and resources to respond to the target group of this initiative across the state. The Assessment and Options Planning Service will use quality assurance practices and processes that will ensure best practise in service delivery that optimises outcomes for people with a disability who choose to participate.

Eligibility and Target Group

Disability Services Queensland Eligibility

The authority for determining eligibility for a person with a disability to access services funded or delivered by Disability Services Queensland is the Disability Services Act 2006 (Qld).

The Disability Services Queensland Eligibility Policy 2006 applies to disability services and programs funded or provided by Disability Services Queensland (with the exception of information services). Eligibility criteria are the minimum requirements to be met by a person applying for these disability services. Eligibility does not confer entitlement to services.

Target Group for the Initiative

To be considered for assistance under the Younger People in Residential Aged Care initiative, a person must:

Initial priority will be given to younger people under 50 years of age. However, people aged between 50-65 years will also be considered for assistance.

It is important to note that meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee assistance under this initiative.

Registration Process

A person will need to register their interest with DSQ to be considered under this initiative. The contact details are provided at the end of this web page. Consent will need to be provided to access information about the person from the residential aged care facility, or service provider/s working with the person, to assist in determining eligibility.

Registering interest in the initiative and giving consent to the collection of information is entirely voluntary. Even when a person provides consent to initiate the registration process, they are under no obligation to accept an assessment if one is offered.

Once a Registration of Interest form has been received, eligibility will be confirmed and people will then be advised in writing by DSQ about the outcome of this process. Where the person is eligible they will be advised that their details will be provided to the Assessment and Options Planning Service.

Prioritisation

In planning assessments, DSQ and the Assessment and Options Planning Service will apply the priority criteria relevant to this phase of the process.

Under the Younger People in Residential Aged Care initiative, prioritisation factors will be applied to enable effective decision making as required. It is recognised that there will be a number of situations where priority factors will need to be applied. These include:

Timeframes for Assessment

Under the Younger People in Residential Aged Care initiative, the priority criteria will be applied to develop an overall priority level to guide the timing of assessments.

It is acknowledged that the timing of assessments may also be influenced to some extent by geographical considerations and the resources and capacity of the assessment service. For example, if there are a number of people known to reside in a location that is somewhat remote, the Assessment and Options Planning Service may delay conducting an assessment for a particular person until a greater number of people in that area are identified for assessment.

Where the nature of a person’s circumstances indicates a level of urgency to the timing of assessment, this should override other considerations (eg geography).

Contact DSQ

For further information about this initiative or about how you can become involved, please contact DSQ’s Information Services between 8am-6pm Monday-Friday.