Reorientation of disability supports
- What does reorientation of disability supports mean?
- Where are we now?
- How can we improve the current approach?
- Consultation
- Consumer participation
What does reorientation of disability supports mean?
Reorientation of supports means that we are improving the disability system to be more flexible, and to provide greater choice and control for people with a disability.
Self-directed approaches aims to make sure that supports are provided based on people’s needs, aspirations and the choices they make about their lives. This includes:
- Planning that is directed by the person (or is family-centred for children)
- Supports that are flexible and tailored to individual needs
- A focus on community participation and strengthening informal supports.
Where are we now?
Self-directed approaches have steadily progressed in Victorian disability services. The following services have laid the ground work for important change for people with a disability:
- Individual Support Packages
- Changing Days and Community Facility Redevelopment initiatives
- Direct Payments
- Flexible Support Packages
- Futures for Young Adults
- my future, my choice
Disability service providers are working with people with disability to introduce self-directed approaches and to give people greater control and greater flexibility in how supports are planned and managed.
How can we improve the current approach?
Over the next two years, Disability Services in Victoria will be implementing a program of change to:
- Strengthen self-directed planning
- Build the capacity of individuals, organisations and communities to respond to and manage the change
- Build the skills and capabilities of the disability workforce and open the way for new and/or enhanced roles to implement self-directed approaches
- Continue to focus on ensuring the quality of disability support services.
Consultation
Disability Services will continue to work with people with a disability, families, carers, service providers and other government departments to refine and expand the implementation of self-directed approaches, using what has been learned to date.
Consumer participation
Consumer participation in Victoria’s Disability Services is fundamental to ensuring an effective and responsive system. The experience of consumers is needed to inform and shape practice across policy and service delivery, planning, development and evaluation. More information about the service reorientation Consumer Advisory Group is available on the Consumer participation webpage on this site.