NDIS Provider Registration | Registro
Your Residential Aged Care Transition Guide to The NDIS
Introduction
Differences Between RAC and NDIS Standards While there are commonalities, it is important for RAC providers to understand the differences between RAC and NDIS standards. One significant difference is the focus on individual choice and control under the NDIS. Participants have the right to choose their supports, service providers, and living arrangements. This means that RAC providers must be prepared to offer alternative home and living options that cater to the preferences and needs of NDIS participants.
Supporting Younger People in Residential Aged Care With the NDIS, there is a strong emphasis on supporting younger people with disability to live in the community rather than in residential aged care. The Younger People in Residential Aged Care (YPIRAC) initiative aims to address this issue and reduce the risk of entering residential aged care for people under the age of 65. In September 2020, the Australian Government released the Younger People in Residential Aged Care Fact Sheet, providing guidance for providers to support the transition of younger NDIS participants living in aged care facilities to more appropriate living arrangements.
Ensuring Smooth Transitions and Collaboration RAC providers transitioning to the NDIS should prioritize effective communication and collaboration with NDIS support coordinators, NDIS participants, and their families. It is important to develop person-centered plans that align with the goals and aspirations of participants. This may involve exploring alternative home and living options, coordinating appropriate supports, and facilitating a seamless transition from RAC to community-based living.
Continuous Improvement and Compliance RAC providers need to establish systems for continuous improvement and compliance with the NDIS Practice Standards. This includes regularly reviewing and updating policies, procedures, and quality assurance processes to meet the requirements of the NDIS Commission. Ongoing training and education for staff members is essential to ensure they have the necessary knowledge and skills to support NDIS participants effectively.
Organizational Systems:
Both the NDIS Practice Standards and Aged Care Quality Standards emphasize the importance of robust organizational systems. These systems include:
Feedback and complaints management:
Providers must have processes in place to receive, manage, and address feedback and complaints from participants, their families, and other stakeholders.
Incidents management:
Providers should have systems to effectively respond to and manage incidents that occur within their facilities or during the provision of services.
Compliance:
Providers must demonstrate adherence to relevant laws, regulations, and standards, ensuring the delivery of safe and quality care.
Risk management:
Effective risk management systems are crucial to identify, assess, and mitigate potential risks to participants’ health, safety, and wellbeing.
Continuous improvement:
Providers should have processes in place to monitor and improve the quality of their services continually. This involves evaluating feedback, implementing best practices, and making necessary changes to enhance participant outcomes.
Governance:
Providers need strong governance structures and processes to ensure effective decision-making, accountability, and transparency within their organizations.
Information management:
Providers must appropriately handle and manage participant information, ensuring privacy, confidentiality, and compliance with relevant data protection regulations.
Human resource management:
Providers should have comprehensive systems in place for workforce planning, recruitment, training, and ongoing support and development of staff members.
Support Provision Processes:
Both RAC and NDIS standards emphasize person-centered support provision processes. These processes include:
Assessment:
Providers must conduct thorough assessments of participants’ needs and preferences to develop personalized care plans and support strategies.
Planning:
Providers should engage participants and their families in the planning process, considering their goals, aspirations, and individual preferences.
Review of supports:
Regular review of supports is essential to ensure they remain relevant, effective, and aligned with participants’ changing needs and goals.
Management of individual risks:
Providers need to identify and manage individual risks associated with participants’ health, safety, and wellbeing. This involves implementing appropriate risk mitigation strategies and monitoring participants’ progress and outcomes.
Support and Respect:
Both RAC and NDIS standards emphasize the importance of supporting and respecting participants’ rights, choices, and independence. These aspects include:
Individual choice:
Providers must respect and enable participants to make informed choices about their care, support, and daily lives.
Independence:
Providers should promote and support participants’ independence, empowering them to actively participate in decision-making processes.
Privacy:
Participants’ privacy and confidentiality should be respected and protected, with appropriate measures in place to secure their personal information.
Dignity:
Providers must ensure that participants are treated with dignity and respect in all aspects of their care and support.
Culture and diversity:
Providers should recognize and respect participants’ cultural, linguistic, and religious diversity, providing culturally appropriate care and support.
Infection control processes:
Effective infection control measures and practices are essential to safeguard participants’ health and prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
Safe environments:
Providers must maintain safe and secure environments within their facilities, addressing potential hazards and implementing appropriate safety measures. Audit Processes and Methodology Both aged care and NDIS providers are subject to audit processes to ensure compliance with quality standards. The audit processes involve:
Assessment of provider and key personnel suitability:
Auditors evaluate the qualifications, skills, and competencies of key personnel involved in the provision of care and support.
Knowledge of standards, policies, and procedures:
Providers and staff members are assessed on their understanding and implementation of relevant standards, policies, and procedures.
Site visits:
Auditors visit providers’ facilities to observe and assess the delivery of care and support, review documentation, and interview staff and participants.
Assessment against quality standards and indicators:
Providers are evaluated against specific quality standards and indicators to determine their compliance and performance.
Review of policy and procedure documentation:
Auditors assess the adequacy and effectiveness of providers’ policies and procedures in meeting the required standards.
Outcome findings:
Auditors compile their findings and provide feedback to providers, identifying areas of compliance, non-compliance, and opportunities for improvement. It is important for RAC providers to actively engage in the audit process, address any identified areas for improvement, and continuously strive for excellence in the provision of care and support.
Comparison of Terminology, Costs, and Modules To gain a comprehensive understanding of the differences and similarities between RAC and NDIS terminology, costs, and modules, the following comparison table provides an in-depth overview:
The ACQS and NDIS Practice Standards Comparison Tool RAC providers can utilize the Aged Care Quality Standards (ACQS) and NDIS Practice Standards Comparison Tool to assess how the two sets of standards align and identify any gaps in compliance. This tool assists providers in determining areas where further evidence may be required to meet the NDIS Practice Standards. By utilizing this tool, providers can ensure a comprehensive and thorough approach to compliance with the NDIS requirements.
Conclusion
Transitioning from residential aged care to the NDIS requires careful consideration, understanding, and adaptation to the new standards and requirements. RAC providers must evaluate their registration status, align their organizational systems and support provision processes with the NDIS Practice Standards, and actively participate in the audit process to demonstrate compliance and deliver high-quality care and support.
By embracing the opportunities and challenges presented by the NDIS, RAC providers can continue to provide person-centered, respectful, and dignified care to NDIS participants, supporting their independence, choices, and overall wellbeing.
