Disability Services Division
Disability Services is a division of the Department of Human Services (DHS) and is a significant component of the portfolio of the Minister for Community Services.
The division works in partnership with families and carers and with both non-government and government service providers to advance the wellbeing and quality of life of people with disabilities.
Our role, vision and priorities
Our role is to fund providers across the non-government sector to deliver direct support and care to people with an intellectual, physical, sensory and neurological disability, and acquired brain injury in Victoria. The division also provides some care and support services to people with a range of disabilities.
These services and supports are governed by the provisions of the Disability Act 2006.
The division also operates in line with the Commonwealth State Territory Disability Agreement (CSTDA) (external link). The CSTDA provides the national framework for the delivery, funding and development of specialist disability services for people with disabilities. More information is available from the Commonwealth State Territory Disability Agreement factsheet (external link), which is published by the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
Our vision is to improve the quality of life for Victorians with a disability by encouraging supports that enhance independence, choice and community inclusion.
Our priorities are to:
- Reorient disability supports
- Develop strong foundations for disability supports
- Promote and protect people's rights
- Strengthen local communities
- Make public services accessible.
Our branches and regions
The Disability Services Division Central Office is located in Melbourne and is made up of three branches, the Office of the Senior Practitioner and the Directorate - incorporating the Office of the Executive Director, the Budget Management and Financial Reporting Unit and the Business Management Unit. Together these areas manage the planning, funding, monitoring and policy development strategies, which are implemented in the eight DHS regions.
The three branches are:
- Community and Individual Support
- Accommodation and Support
- Strategy, Planning and Client Ourcomes
Office locations
DHS has eight regional offices that provide supports and services to the people of Victoria.
Our structure at Central Office
Directorate
Arthur Rogers
Executive Director
Disability Services Division
Department of Human Services
The Executive Director provides leadership through executive management of the Disability Services Division and regions to develop and implement policy that promotes reorientation of supports and strengthens the capacity of communities to enable people with a disability to pursue their own individual lifestyles.
Community and Individual Support
This branch is responsible for:
- developing supports for people with a disability (including children and young people and their carers) to live in their community by improving the range of housing and supports through the development of responsive service models and funding mechanisms
- improving service approaches for people with a disability who have complex needs
- developing cross-department and/or whole of government responses to children and young people with a disability
- improving disability support responses to indigenous and Cultural and Linguistic Diversity (CALD) people with a disability.
Accommodation and Support
This branch is responsible for:
- strategic implementation of the Disability Act 2006
- developing and maintaining a culture and practice of continuous quality improvement including implementation of independent monitoring, with a focus on outcomes and accountability to people with a disability
- building workforce capacity including occupational health and safety
- sector development and sustainability
- improving support approaches for people with a disability in department managed community residential services.
Client Outcomes, Strategy and Planning
This branch is responsible for providing analysis and advice to enhance the strategic and efficient resource management of Disability Services. Key responsibility areas include:
- planning and performance reporting
- strategy development
- sector funding policy and analysis
- commonwealth/state relations
- budget development and management, including client funds management
- asset planning and development.
Office of the Senior Practitioner
The role of the Senior Practitioner was established to protect the rights of people with a disability who are subject to restrictive interventions and compulsory treatment. The Office is responsible for authorising, monitoring and reviewing restrictive interventions and compulsory treatment, and sets standards and guidelines in relation to these practices. It is also responsible for research and making recommendations for practice improvements to the Minister and Secretary in relation to restrictive interventions.- Disability Workforce Development and Learning
Information about the Workforce Development & Learning Program which aims to equip disability services sector workers to compentently assist people in the community who have a disability.
Contact information
Tel: 1300 650 172
Interstate, international and mobile callers
Tel: (03) 9096 0000
Fax: (03) 9096 9140
Speak and Listen users
Tel: 1300 555 727 then ask for 1300 650 172
Disability Intake and Response Service
Tel: 1800 783 783
Email: disability.services@dhs.vic.gov.au
