Peer Workers Recognised in Updated Guide to Suitability

DSC welcomes the NDIA’s clarification that Peer Workers can indeed provide Support Coordination and a range of other NDIS supports.

Earlier this year, we wrote that we were disappointed to see that Peer Workers had been removed from the list of professions who could provide Support Coordination. Today we are pleased to see that the July 2018 update of the Guide to Suitability explicitly clarifies that the term “Disability Support Worker” includes Peer Workers and Mental Health Workers.

As we wrote in our earlier article, there are currently no minimum qualifications for Disability Support Workers in any State or Territory, which means that anyone (including Peer Workers) can be classified as a Disability Support Worker and therefore provide Support Coordination.

So while this update makes no practical difference to the ability of Peer Workers to provide Support Coordination or any other support delivered by Disability Support Workers, it is a welcome clarification. (Though if we had our way, Peer Workers and Mental Health Workers would have their own bullet points!).

What else has changed?

As we have said before, the Guide to Suitability is a seriously underrated resource.  It provides information to assist providers to understand their quality, safeguards and compliance obligations, including everything you need to know about NDIS registration requirements. In other words, a pretty much guaranteed fun time for all. It also contains important information for states who are not yet under the national Quality and Safeguading Framework. 

This clarification is not the only change in the updated version. Heads up for a few more important changes:

• New requirements of providers of employment supports. Read more about this: https://providertoolkit.ndis.gov.au/changes-providers-employment-supports
• Updated content to NSW, SA, QLD, TAS, NT, VIC and Commonwealth jurisdictional sections.
• New WA section.
• Interpreters and Translators must now be Certified or Recognised Practising Interpreter or Translator with the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters Ltd (NAATI).
• Clarifications to Hearing Services and Specialised Hearing Services registration groups (neither of which are currently open to registration as services are provided through the Hearing Services Program only).
• Clarification to profession requirement for Custom Prosthetics: “Experience relevant to the specific customised technology you wish to provide or assess. Further information is under development.”

Image: Not Titled by Anthony Romagnano, 2017, greylead pencil on paper, 50 x 35cm.