Successful appointment to provide Family Group Conferencing services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in NSW

Nov 25, 2021 | KLR Communications, News, Tenders

Successful appointment to provide Family Group Conferencing services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in NSW

Veterans Affairs

KLR Communications’ client, ITEC Group, has been successfully appointed to the panel of Family Group Conferencing facilitation service providers, working in conjunction with the NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) to deliver culturally appropriate conferencing services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in NSW.

ITEC Group will provide culturally appropriate case managers to deliver family-focused, strengths based forms of alternative dispute resolution that encourages greater family decision making and better protects vulnerable members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

DCJ objectives include increasing the proportion of children and young people in safe and stable homes, and helping families earlier with services that address their identified needs. Collaboration takes place with government, non-government and community partners to work with children, adults, families and communities to improve lives and realise potential, with a focus on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage.

With an important focus on keeping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities together, the Family Group Conferencing program aims to:

  • Empower parents and families in making decisions to ensure the safety and well-being of children and young people at risk of significant harm, through the development and implementation of a Family Plan.
  • Improve outcomes for children and young people by providing them and their extended family with a stronger voice in decisions about their care.
  • Maintain children in the care of family where possible by including extended family in the FGC process.
  • Build respectful relationships and communication between DCJ and families.

To learn more about this program, click here.

Following a successful application process, utilising strategic tender planning and writing services from KLR Communications ITEC Group will now be delivering these important services in NSW.

“We are always delighted to learn of another successful tender win for our clients and this one is particularly important, given its focus on our vulnerable indigenous families and communities“, said Kathryn Garth, Managing Director, KLR Communications. 

To discuss how KLR Communications may assist your business with your next project or tender application, contact us.

NDIS Legislation Amendments – Severe Dysphagia Management, Mealtime Management, and Emergency and Disaster Management

Nov 25, 2021 | KLR Communications, News

NDIS Legislation Amendments – Severe Dysphagia Management, Mealtime Management, and Emergency and Disaster Management

Mealtime Management

New Practice Standards and Quality Indicators for mealtime management, severe dysphagia management and emergency, and disaster management commenced on 15 November 2021. These amendments makes essential changes to the NDIS Act to improve the support and protections provided to NDIS participants who may be at risk of harm. 

The key changes are outlined below.

Mealtime Management & Severe Dysphagia Management

Dysphagia is a medical term for any difficulty with swallowing. It is associated with a wide range of disabilities and health conditions. People with disability who have dysphagia are more likely to die from choking or respiratory illnesses or have serious health complications because of poor management of dysphagia.

Because of the high rates of dysphagia in people with disability, there is an increased risk of respiratory problems and/or choking and poor nutrition. Swallowing problems can allow food, drinks, or saliva to get into the lungs rather than the stomach, which can cause aspiration pneumonia.

The new standards will ensure NDIS participants requiring support for mealtimes and support to manage severe dysphagia have access to nutritious meals of the correct texture and delivered in a way that is appropriate to their needs and preferences.

Which modules do the changes apply to:

  • Mealtime Management changes are relevant to Part 5 of the Core Module – Support Provision Environment.
  • Severe Dysphagia Management requirements apply to providers of high intensity daily personal activities who have severe dysphagia management set out in their certificate of registration. The changes are relevant to Module 1: High Intensity Daily Personal Activities.

The NDIS has released a practice alert explaining the risks associated with dysphagia, how to support NDIS participants with dysphagia, and provider obligations. Read here.

Emergency and Disaster Management

To address the management of NDIS supports and services during sustained disruptions such as COVID-19, this new NDIS Practice Standard has been developed to strengthen guidance to registered NDIS providers on complying with their obligations to ensure the health, wellbeing and safety of the NDIS participants they support during COVID-19, or future emergencies or disasters.

It is intended to address the planning required by providers to prepare, prevent, manage and respond to emergency and disaster situations whilst mitigating risks to and ensuring continuity of supports that are critical to the health, safety and wellbeing of NDIS participants. 

Which modules do the changes apply to:

  • Emergency and Disaster Management changes are relevant to Part 3 of the Core Module – Provider Governance and Operational Management.

When do the changes come into effect?

The following transition periods apply for existing registered NDIS providers:

  • The mealtime management practice standard applies to existing registered NDIS providers from Monday 13 December 2021.
  • The emergency and disaster management practice standard applies to existing registered NDIS providers from Monday 24 January 2022, allowing time for providers to develop emergency and disaster management plans both across their organisation and for individual participants.

There is no transition period for the severe dysphagia management standard, which will be in effect from 15 November 2021.

You can view the Amendments in their entirety here.

How KLR Communications can assist you to comply with the new Standards

KLR Communications, in partnership with SoCom Consulting, provides NDIS documentation packs and compliance consulting services. We have developed a new pack covering Mealtime Management and Severe Dysphagia Management, which you can purchase here.  Templates for development of Emergency and Disaster Management Plans are available on request.

For other available packs and services, visit our store.

To discuss how we can assist you, Contact Us.

Successful appointment to deliver DVA Community Nursing Services

Sep 20, 2021 | KLR Communications, News, Tenders

Successful appointment to deliver DVA Community Nursing Services

Veterans Affairs

KLR Communications’ client, Holicare, has been successfully appointed to deliver vital Community Nursing Services to those receiving funding under Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA).

About the program

To receive community nursing services for an assessed clinical need, a client must hold either a Veteran Gold Card or Veteran White Card.

Community nursing services meet the clinical needs of both Veterans and war widowed partners, with a view to enhancing independence and the ability for individuals to remain living in their own home for longer.

Community Nursing Providers must meet the requirements set out in the Notes for Community Nursing Providers and have written clinical and administrative policies in place which adhere to the provisions contained in the relevant State or Territory legislation and which are appropriate for a community nursing / aged care setting. 

Following a successful application process, utilising support services from KLR Communications and the policies and procedures of our partner, SoCom Consulting, Holicare will now be delivering these important services in Victoria and is available to take enquiries from eligible care recipients.

“This is further demonstration of the value of our partnership with SoCom Consulting in both the Aged Care and NDIS space. We are excited for the expansion of our client’s business into this important area“, said Kathryn Garth, Managing Director, KLR Communications. 

To discuss how KLR Communications and SoCom Consulting may assist your business with its Aged Care and NDIS services, policies and procedures, contact us.

Details of Queensland Business Boost Grant Released

Jul 20, 2021 | KLR Communications, News

Details of Queensland Business Boost Grant Released

Business automation

The Queensland Government has today released details of the next small business grant funding opportunity, forming part of its $25 million initiative to aid in the recovery and development of small businesses.

The Business Boost Grant is available to successful applicant businesses with turnover between $300,000 and $600,000 in FY 2020/21, and will provide up to $15,000 in funding for eligible projects.

Applications open 9am, 20 July 2021 and projects must be completed 6-12 months following approval and signing of funding agreement.

Co-contribution requirement

Unlike the previously released $5,000 Business Basics Grant, successful applicants will be required to co-contribute at least 30% of their total project costs. With minimum project costs being $10,715 (ex GST), the minimum co-contribution business must make is $3,215.

To receive the maximum funding amount of $15,000, project costs will need to total $21,429 (ex GST) or more, with the co-contribution being $6,429.

Program objectives and eligible activities

The Business Boost Grant aims to support businesses to implement programs that advance improvements in their efficiency and productivity, and:

  • boost turnover, profit, and employment;
  • increase business confidence and skills; and
  • improve business resilience and survivability.

To support these objectives, grant-funded projects must meet any of the following three priorities:

  • Future planning
  • Specialised and automated software
  • Staff management, development and training

Eligible project activities include:

 

Priority

1. Future planning

  • Strategic business planning for innovation or growth
  • Implementing a governance board to guide strategic planning
  • Exporting opportunities and requirements
  • Compliance with industry regulations and standards

2. Specialised and automated software

  • Design and implementation of management systems, including:
    • Data warehouses
    • Asset management
    • Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems
    • Quality & Compliance management
    • Risk management
    • Production systems
    • Project management systems
  • Bespoke/complex website design and build, including e-commerce, software integration, booking systems
  • Cybersecurity tools
  • Innovative technology that improves or diversifies service offerings

3. Staff management, development and planning

  • Human Resource Management skills building
  • Professional Development and Training
  • Digital Workplace plans and systems for a remote workforce

 

For more information on the Business Boost Grant and to preview the application form, click here. 

To discuss how your business can get the most out of this grant opportunity and to receive a compliant quote for inclusion in your application, contact us.

National Guidelines released for NDIA’s Early Childhood Supports

Jul 5, 2021 | KLR Communications, News

National Guidelines released for NDIA’s Early Childhood Supports

NDIS early childhood supports

The National Disability Insurance Agency has released guidelines for Early Childhood Supports for the first time. The NDIA’s ‘Early childhood approach’ is for children under the age of seven, with developmental delay, developmental concerns, or disability. This new approach will also not require the child to undergo a diagnosis in order to access support.

This new NDIA Early childhood approach aims to help parents, carers or legal representatives to support their child to learn new skills. This approach will also assist with helping the child to develop, while taking part at home and in their own community.

 

The guidelines cover areas such as:

What is early childhood intervention?

Through specialised supports and services, the NDIA is able to give children with developmental delay or disability the assistance they need to support their individual and family’s wellbeing, their connection to community and their own development.

Find out more here.

How does the NDIA work with young children and their families?

Through an evidence-based approach that is family-centred and strengths-based.

Find out more here.

What is the aim of the NDIA’s early childhood approach?

To provide parents and carers with the support and education they need in a timely manner, so they are able to manage and respond to their child’s needs, while also increasing the child’s activities and connection to community.

Find out more here.

What does the early childhood approach look like?

It starts with providing parents and carers with the information on community and mainstream services and receiving support from allied health professionals that are catered to each individual child. Support and advice is also available from early childhood partners who can connect you to the services that best meet the needs of your child.

Read more here.

What is an early childhood partner?

Funded by the NDIS, early childhood partners are local organisations that deliver the early childhood approach in communities right across Australia. These partners have been picked due to their skillsets, expertise and their focus on delivering family-centred supports using a practice-based model.

Read more here.

For more information on the National Disability Insurance Scheme’s Early Childhood approach, please click here.

KLR Communications, in partnership with SoCom Consulting, provides NDIS documentation packs and compliance consulting services, including those relevant to Module 3 – Early Childhood Supports. For more information visit our store.

To discuss how we can assist you, Contact Us.

Changes to Legislation Streamline Aged Care and NDIS Worker Screening Requirements

Jun 18, 2021 | KLR Communications, News

Changes to Legislation Streamline Aged Care and NDIS Worker Screening Requirements

Aged Care Nurse

The Department of Health has confirmed it will recognise NDIS Worker Screening clearances for Aged Care providers that are also registered NDIS providers.

This change is effective from 16 June 2021, with necessary changes made to aged care legislation to recognise NDIS Worker Screening clearances, removing the need for separate police checks and clearances to be obtained for NDIS providers also delivering Aged Care.

Reduced regulatory burden

These changes reduce the regulatory burden on providers who are required to operate within dual regulatory frameworks for the NDIS and Aged Care.

As of February 1st, 2021, the NDIS worker screening requirements were implemented, superseding national police checks and broadening the scope of historical information pertinent to the delivery of services to the vulnerable.

With NDIS Worker Screening taking a more in-depth assessment of the suitability of staff and volunteers to perform risk assessed roles, the application of these clearances across both the NDIS and Aged Care reduces time and cost in managing two separate clearances, while ensuring best practice in consumer protection.

What clearance should you ask for?

For aged care providers that became registered NDIS providers on 1 December 2020, you can accept the following for workers in risk assessed roles supporting NDIS participants:

  • evidence of an NDIS worker screening clearance obtained in the last five years, if a new staff member or volunteer already holds one (that is if they moved from a risk assessed role supporting NDIS participants), or
  • a police certificate, if it was issued before 1 February 2021 and is still current. To learn more about the changes to NDIS Worker Screening Requirements and the transitional period, see this article from our partner, SoCom Consulting here.

For all other workers, you should continue to ask for a police certificate unless they hold an existing NDIS Worker Screening clearance.

Aged Care Providers who are NOT NDIS Providers

The above clearances still apply.  Where you are taking on a new staff member or volunteer who has previously worked for an NDIS Provider and has an NDIS Worker Screening clearance, you can verify this clearance as follows:

 

Verification Method Verification Requirements

New staff member or volunteer provides evidence of NDIS worker screening clearance that is less than five years old

(For providers to be satisfied)

The clearance may be in one or more of the following forms:

  • email
  • letter
  • physical card

The clearance will include the following information:

  • the person’s full name,
  • NDIS Worker Screening ID, and
  • issue date and/or expiry date (if the clearance is issued by the NSW Worker Screening Unit, the expiry date is only available on the worker’s MyService NSW account. The worker must provide evidence of the expiry date)

Contact the staff member or volunteer’s previous employer that is a registered NDIS provider

(Additional verification that can be undertaken if needed)
  • Get consent from your staff member or volunteer to contact their previous employer that is a registered NDIS provider.
  • Contact the previous employer to confirm the staff member or volunteer’s NDIS Worker Screening status at the time they were employed.

 

Your responsibility under aged care legislation is the same whether a worker has an NDIS worker screening clearance or a police certificate. This includes you being satisfied that the worker holds a legitimate clearance and maintaining a record of the clearance.

For more information on the changes to worker screening requirements in aged care, click here.

KLR Communications, in conjunction with SoCom Consulting advises on new NDIS and Aged Care Provider applications and compliance. To discuss how we can assist you, Contact Us.

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