Disability Services Commission
Funding Directorate
Opportunities in Shared Living Options Guideline
1.
Keywords
Vacancy
Shared living option
2.
Purpose
This guide provides direction to Disability Sector Organisations (service providers)
and Funding Directorate staff:

when an individual no longer requires their individual funding package, or

where a portion or all of an individual funding package is no longer available to a
shared living option where funding is pooled to engage shared supports.
3.
Policy Statement
In the event that an individual no longer requires their individual funding package funds will be returned to the Disability Services Commission (the Commission).
An individual may no longer require their individual funding package due to
circumstances such as:

voluntary withdrawal from the service;

no longer being eligible to receive services*; or

death.
*for example: due to moving into a nursing home, or receiving a compensation
payout that is determined as making the individual ineligible for Commission funding.
Service providers must notify the Commission within seven (7) days of such an event.
Individually tied funds should be returned to the Commission within 30 days or, in the
case of shared living options where funds are pooled, the timing of the return of funds
must be negotiated with the Commission within 30 days.
In the event of an opportunity for support arising in a shared living option, the service
provider will work with the Commission to identify individuals most in need, who may
be compatible with the other residents and may consider the option as their preferred
choice. Accepting the option will require the agreement of all parties.
Opportunities for support arising from individually funded services through the Young
People in Nursing Home (YPINH) and Young People in Residential Aged Care
(YPRAC) initiatives will be used for their original purpose, i.e. providing younger
people with disability living in or at risk of entering a State or Commonwealth
residential aged care with more age-appropriate and community-oriented
accommodation options where appropriate.
Disability Services Commission
Funding Directorate
Opportunities in Shared Living Options Guideline
4.
Background
This guideline should be read in conjunction with the Individualised Funding Policy that
reflects the Western Australian (WA) Government public policy agenda, specifically
identified in the Delivering Community Services in Partnership (DCSP) policy (2011). The
policy directs  the promotion of flexible, innovative and community responsiveness in the funding or
contracting of services by Public Authorities to better meet community needs
 encouragement of working relationships between Public Authorities and the not‐for‐
profit community sector based on trust, collaboration, accountability, and
 support of sustainable service delivery and recognises the importance of ongoing
organisational viability.
In accordance with the National Standards for Disability Services Standard 3 ‘Individual
Outcomes’ and Standard 5 ‘Service Access’, this policy is based on the strong foundation
that individuals shall have the opportunity to make choices about their services and both
the Commission and service providers will make every effort to promptly accommodate
them.
5.
Consultation Process
This guideline has been revised by the Funding Directorate to facilitate the reforms in the
disability sector and the move to individual funding packages focused on supporting the
achievement of planned outcomes, rather than alignment with program parameters. The
revision also incorporates changes to terminology.
6.
Implementation
Management of shared living opportunities is the primary responsibility of the Options
Exploration Officers in the Funding Directorate. They maintain databases (Vacancy
Management) containing details of current opportunities available in shared living options.
Managing shared living options (outside YPRAC/YPINH)
6.1 Service providers must advise their Service Contract and Development Officer
(SCDO) of an opportunity that has become available within seven (7) days, or
via the Serious Incident Reporting Mechanism.
6.2 Service providers must complete and provide the Vacancy/Unfunded
Opportunity Profile form to their SCDO within 14 days of an opportunity
becoming available.
6.3 The SCDO will negotiate with the service provider within 30 days about the
timeline for either return of funding or filling the vacancy and using the
opportunity. Return of funds will be calculated no longer than two weeks after
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Disability Services Commission
Funding Directorate
Opportunities in Shared Living Options Guideline
the individual exited the service. A three month allocation of this funding may be
re-issued non-recurrently, where :



The Commission has approved the service provider’s application for
sustainability funding for that option;
The service provider has provided a vacancy profile to the Commission
within 14 days of an event (as per point 6.2); and
The Commission is satisfied the service provider has worked closely with
the Commission to identify individuals that may be able to take up the
opportunity.
6.4 The SCDO will provide the Options Exploration Officer with the
Vacancy/Unfunded Opportunity Profile.
6.5 If the Options Exploration Officers are not currently working with an individual
who may wish to access the opportunity, the Options Exploration Officers will
review the applications of individuals considered and rated high priority by the
Independent Priority Assessment Panel. An officer will contact the
individual/family and the service provider when an individual’s profile and
eligibility for resources matches the opportunity. (Permission to release personal
information to a service provider must be obtained from the individual, their
family or guardian.)
6.6 The service provider will contact and engage with the individual or their family to
provide information about the opportunity to enable consideration by both parties
and determine compatibility with existing residents.
6.7 The Options Exploration Officer will maintain regular contact with the service
provider to assess progress. If the opportunity is not suitable for the individual,
steps 6.5 and 6.6 will be repeated.
6.8 If the option is suitable and the individual chooses to take it, the Options
Exploration Officer will advise the SCDO of the individual’s name and complete
the relevant records once the service provider has confirmed the acceptance
date.
6.9 The SCDO will progress relevant Variation(s) to Service Agreement.
6.10 Area Managers, Options Exploration Officers and SCDOs will review vacancy
opportunities that have not been filled after three (3) months. The criteria for the
approval of non-recurrent funding for a further three months will be based on; (i)
a current Vacancy Profile being in place; and (ii) the service provider having
met with an Options Exploration Officer in the previous three months to discuss
the vacancy. The approval of a further three month extension will be at the
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Disability Services Commission
Funding Directorate
Opportunities in Shared Living Options Guideline
discretion of the Branch Manager. Other options such as service redevelopment
may be considered.
Managing YPRAC/YPINH shared living options
6.11 Service providers must advise their SCDO of any opportunity that has become
available within seven (7) days or via the Serious Incident Reporting
Mechanism.
6.12 Service providers must complete and provide the Vacancy/Unfunded
Opportunity Profile form to their SCDO within 14 days of an opportunity
becoming available.
6.13 The SCDO will negotiate with the service provider within 30 days about the
timeline for either return of recurrent funding or using the opportunity.
6.14 The SCDO will provide the Options Exploration Officers with the
Vacancy/Unfunded Opportunity Profile - noting that it is a YPRAC/YPINH
opportunity.
6.15 An Options Exploration Officer will review the applications of individuals
considered in critical need by the Independent Priority Assessment Panel. The
officer will contact the individual/family and the service provider when an
individual’s profile and eligibility for resources matches the YPRAC/YPINH
opportunity. An individual, their family or guardian must give permission for their
personal details to be released to the service provider.
6.16 The service provider will contact and engage with the individual or their family to
provide information about the YPRAC/YPINH opportunity to enable
consideration by both parties and determine compatibility with existing residents.
6.17 The Options Exploration Officer will maintain regular contact to assess progress.
If the YPRAC/YPINH opportunity is not suitable for the individual, steps 6.15 and
6.16 will be repeated.
6.18 The Executive Director, Funding Directorate must approve the finalisation of the
YPRAC/YPINH opportunity. Once approved the service provider can notify the
successful applicant.
6.19 Following approval by the Executive Director Funding Directorate, the Options
Exploration Officer will advise the SCDO of the individual who has accepted the
YPRAC/YPINH vacancy. The Options Exploration Officer will also complete the
relevant YPRAC/YPINH records once the service provider has confirmed the
acceptance date.
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Disability Services Commission
Funding Directorate
Opportunities in Shared Living Options Guideline
6.20 The YPRAC/YPINH funding and the opportunities that become available will be
quarantined for people eligible for these programs. Where no suitable person
from within an aged care residential facility can be found to fill a vacancy, people
at risk of entering an aged care facility will be considered (including people who
are in residential aged respite care and those approved by the Aged Care
Assessment Team).
7.
Funding or Resource Implications
Nil
8.
Related Policies
A Fair Level of Funding Policy
Individualised Funding Policy
Delivering Community Services in Partnership (2011)
9.
Communication and Training Strategy
Stakeholder
Individual Funding
Management Committee
Service Contracting and
Development Officers
Commission personnel
Service provider
organisations
Strategy
Options Exploration Officers provide information about the
available opportunities on a four monthly basis.
 Through Area Managers
 SCDO Meetings
 Funding Directorate Policies on SharePoint
 Opportunities in shared living options guideline on
the Commission Intranet site
 Opportunities in shared living options guideline on
the Commission Web site
10. Evaluation And Review
This guideline is evaluated according to the standard Director General review mechanism.
For further information contact:
Manager - Options & Contract Formation
Telephone: (08) 9426 9200
Author:
Date:
Glen Porter
21 October 2014
Reference: W:\Service Contracting And Development\Operational Governance\Policies
Procedures Templates\Procedures & Guidelines\Opportunities In Shared Living Options
Guideline.Docx
Next Review: October 2016
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Options Exploration Process
Vacancy profile
Part A: Disability sector organisation information
Name of organisation:
Name of contact person:
Position:
Telephone number: :
Fax number:
Email:
Part B: Vacancy information
Description of vacancy: (Please make note if property is wheel chair accessible
electric/manual)
Address:
Date available:
Reason for vacancy:
Transfer of:
Death of:
To:
Name:
Date:
Date:
Other: (Please provide
details)
Part C: Accommodation
Type of Accommodation: (Please describe accommodation e.g. group home, etc.
and local e.g. access to shops, doctors, banks, etc.)
Transport: (Public and provided services)
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Existing resident(s) information:
Name
Gender
Age
Traits (likes and dislikes)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Staffing patterns provided: (eg 3 pm to 9pm weekdays, 24 hour shift coverage,
visiting support at 4 hours per evening, etc.)

Type of staff employed

Staffing pattern
Hours
Mon
Tues
Wed
Thurs
Fri
Sat
Sun
Morn
Day
Eve
Night
Part D: Criteria for vacancy
Male:
Female:
Either: (Male or Female)
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Age Group:
Type of disability:
0 – 12
Acquired Brain Injury
Muscular Dystrophy
13 - 20
Asperger Syndrome
Physical
21 – 30
Autism
Sensory (Hearing/Vision/Other)
31 – 40
Cerebral Palsy
Speech
41 – 50
Developmental
Medical
51 – 60
Epilepsy
Other (please specify)
61 – 70
Intellectual
Person suitable will require – (Please provide information that will affect placement
– e.g. support needs, day services, etc.):
Note:
 Please forward this Vacancy Profile to your SCDO within 14 days of the vacancy
becoming available.
 Please ensure you receive acknowledgement of receipt of this notification.
Verified by Service Contracting and Development Officer (SCDO):
Viewed by Options Exploration Process (OEP) team:
Internal use for OEP
Funding amount:
Funding source (YPINH/YPRAC/other):
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