WA NDIS My Way Information and Support Network
1. Background
From 1 July 2014 Western Australia began a two-year trial of the National Disability
Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The NDIS trial in WA is unique as it involves the implementation
of two different models, which will be independently evaluated over the trial period:
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WA NDIS My Way, run by the Disability Services Commission (the Commission) on
behalf of the State Government in the Lower South West (from 1 July 2014) and
Cockburn-Kwinana (from 1 July 2015).
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NDIS NDIA, run by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) on behalf of the
Commonwealth Government in the Perth Hills (from 1 July 2014).
This approach provides the unique opportunity to inform how the NDIS will operate in
Western Australia into the future, ensuring that we have a sustainable and effective
disability service model beyond the trial period.
To assist in keeping all stakeholders well-informed and connected to the WA NDIS My Way
agenda, an Information and Support Network will be developed. This network will be
facilitated by the Commission in partnership with the non-government sector, special
interest groups and other interested stakeholders.
In addition to information provision, the Information and Support Network will function to
provide opportunities for sharing skills, knowledge and experience, building and maintaining
positive partnerships and enhancing key linkages between government and the nongovernment sector. It will also serve to mitigate key stakeholder confusion and uncertainty,
due to the complex nature of multiple service models operating in different geographical
locations across the State.
2. Key Objectives
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central source of accurate and up-to-date information on matters pertaining to the
WA NDIS My Way trial, tailored to specific audience groups as needed;
work closely with community-based organisations and support groups to identify
knowledge gaps, share skills and experience;
provide support to service providers and other organisations, on how to operate
within the context of a NDIS;
build and maintain positive working relationships with the government and nongovernment sectors to promote a strong workforce and common understanding;
enhance community awareness, provide clear and accurate information and allay
confusion caused by the complex nature of multiple service models operating in
different geographical locations;
respond to feedback in a timely and effective manner.
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3. Key Outcomes
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all stakeholders are able to access information in formats which are meaningful and
appropriate, thus increasing overall awareness and understanding of the NDIS trial
in WA;
ensure maximum stakeholder buy-in and accuracy of information;
service providers feel supported and well-equipped to operate within the context of a
NDIS;
effective partnerships will maximise workforce capacity and responsiveness and
ultimately choice and control for people with disability, their families and carers;
people with disability, their families, carers and other key stakeholders feel informed,
secure and supported in the face of change;
all stakeholders are assured that their feedback is important and has been taken on
board.
4. Structure and Resources
The Information and Support Network will be dynamic in structure and comprise of key
people from within the Commission as well as other key external stakeholders at various
points throughout the trial period. This will ensure that people who have the appropriate
expertise and skills required to facilitate good information-sharing, engagement and
develop productive support networks are able to contribute:
Commission staff
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2-3 permanent staff (Communications and Engagement Officers)
Communication and Media Officer (0.2 from existing Disability Reform directorate)
Nominated representatives from other directorates including Strategy, Funding and
Operations
External organisations and special interest groups
There will be opportunities for individuals with specific skills and / or knowledge to be
seconded to the Commission for short-term contracts or work within the Information and
Support Network (for example, key staff from mental health organisations, disability sector
organisations, peak bodies, advocacy groups and family support organisations).
5. How does it work?
In order for the Information and Support Network to take a systematic and proactive
approach to engagement and information-sharing, the various stakeholders have been
grouped into ‘clusters’. These are listed below together with examples of organisations that
may fit within that cluster (noting that this list is not exhaustive and that some stakeholders
will transcend across clusters):
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Advocacy and Carer organisations (e.g. Ethnic Disability Advocacy Centre, Carers
WA)
Mainstream providers (e.g. State and Commonwealth Government departments /
providers such as the Mental Health Commission, Department of Health, Department
of Education, Department of Child Protection, Department of Justice, Disability
Employment Services, Australian Disability Enterprises, Centrelink)
Peak Bodies (e.g. National Disability Services, WA Association of Mental Health)
Disability and Mental Health sector (e.g. non-government organisations such as
People With disability WA, Ethnic Disability Advocacy Centre, Richmond Fellowship,
Learning About Mental Problems, Intework, Activ, Multiple Sclerosis Society and the
private / for-profit sector including therapy providers, private education, disability
service and accommodation providers)
Local Government and Community Groups (e.g. Local Government Shires)
People with disability, Individual and Family Support Groups and networks (e.g.
Developmental Disability WA, Kalparrin, South West Autism Network, WA Special
Families)
Other Special Interest Groups (e.g. WA Individualised Services, Down Syndrome
Association WA, Muscular Dystrophy WA)
The Information and Support Network will work closely with key stakeholders to provide
information, develop skills and identify knowledge gaps, as well as provide support to
ensure their constituents feel they are part of the WA NDIS My Way journey. Accordingly, it
will be important to identify individuals who have the specific expertise, knowledge and
skills required to support good information-sharing and engagement.
Working together, innovative solutions will be developed to identify what is needed in order
to tailor information in a meaningful and accessible way for distinct target audiences (e.g.
people from Indigenous and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds).
Importantly, the Information and Support Network will play key role in supporting
organisations and groups who are in receipt of the Commonwealth’s Sector Development
Fund grants, aimed at providing timely information and preparing people for the full rollout
of the WA NDIS May Way model.
By creating these linkages, sharing knowledge and bringing personnel into the Information
and Support Network, the intent is that stakeholders will feel they are supported, wellinformed, responded to in a timely manner and have an important role to play in the WA
NDIS My Way agenda.
Last updated: October 2014
w:\ndis\comms and engagement\information and support network\isn concept paper\wa ndis my way information and
support network.docx
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Key linkages and information flow
Mainstream Providers
Advocacy and Carer
Organisations
Other Special Interest
Groups
People with Disability,
Individual and Family
Support Groups and
Networks
Peak Bodies
WA NDIS MY WAY
INFORMATION AND SUPPORT
NETWORK
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Disability and Mental
Health Sectors
Local Government
and Community
Groups