Home and Community Care Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Service Development Plan 2009 12

Home and Community Care Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Service Development Plan 2009 12

Contents Setting the scene...3 Aims...3 Key issues from statewide consultation...4 Priority areas, outcomes and actions from consultation... 5 Priority area 1: Access to services...5 Priority area 2: Information and consultation...7 Priority area 3: Management...9 Priority area 4: Service delivery...11 The State of Queensland (Department of Communities) 2011 Copyright protects this publication. Excerpts may be reproduced with acknowledgment to the State of Queensland (Department of Communities). Department of Communities GPO Box 806 Brisbane Q 4001 2

Setting the scene The Queensland Home and Community Care program is committed to ensuring culturally appropriate service delivery to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services are a high priority for the Home and Community Care program and an important component of the Home and Community Care Triennial Plan 2008 11. The triennial plan allocated growth funding of $5.4 million for the targeted purchasing of services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Home and Community Care Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Service Development Plan 2009 12 is based on the priorities of the triennial plan and statewide consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service providers, Home and Community Care service development officers and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service development officers. The action areas outlined in this plan show where the Queensland Home and Community Care program has focused or will focus its activities and resources to enhance services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients in the period 2009 12. This document also identifies what progress has been made to date. The plan supports key Australian and Queensland Government priorities and aligns with the new strategic framework for the Department of Communities. Important objectives outlined in the new strategic framework for the Department of Communities include: better services and pathways for clients more inclusive, active and safe communities a more sustainable community service system that delivers better value. The strategic framework emphasises simpler, easier, more effective and, where appropriate, more integrated client services. The Home and Community Care Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Service Development Plan 2009 12 aligns with the major service areas of Disability and Community Care Services and has strong links to the department s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services, Housing and Homelessness Services, and community, youth, families, and seniors services. Home and Community Care program at a glance The Department of Communities (Disability and Community Care Services) is responsible for the Home and Community Care program. The Home and Community Care program is a joint Commonwealth, state and territory initiative. It funds basic maintenance and support services to help frail older people and younger people with a disability to continue living in their own community. Home and Community Care services are designed to support eligible persons to remain living in their own homes in a way that promotes independence and reduces their risk of premature and/or inappropriate admission to residential aged care. The program aims to assist frail older people and younger people with moderate, severe or profound disabilities and their carers. Aims This plan aims to: streamline assessment and prioritisation for Home and Community Care services improve the interface between Home and Community Care and other services for people with a disability improve the matching of clients to appropriate Home and Community Care services. 3

Key issues from statewide consultation In 2007 08, the Home and Community Care program undertook a statewide consultation to gather information that would help plan for the future. This information was needed to make sure the program priorities and goals would better meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who use the services, the service providers, and auspice organisations. This process built on initial consultations that led to the first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Service Development Plan, which was published in 2004. The statewide consultation indicated access to services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples may be affected by several issues, including: There are many programs offering community services for frail older or younger Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders with a disability. These programs have different criteria, legislation and frameworks. This can create confusion about what services are available and how to access them. Language can be a barrier to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples accessing services as information about services may not be available in appropriate forms. Assessment tools are not culturally appropriate. In some areas, there are no Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service providers, and service providers in these areas may need increased awareness and training in delivering culturally appropriate services. Where several government agencies are delivering services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples there may be an overlap between services available through different agencies, or there may be gaps. Conditions in the contracts for funding specify how funding is to be used across service types and service groupings. This limits the flexible responses to changing community needs. Workforce issues, including attracting and retaining skilled workers, access to training and development opportunities affect services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Factors Home and Community Care service providers identified as affecting their capacity to deliver services and, therefore, reducing the level of services available to clients include: higher costs of delivering services in remote areas difficulties in recruiting, training and retaining staff, particularly achieving participation of people from the local community in the workforce lack of capacity to develop peer support and mentoring for staff shortage of service coordinators and managers inadequate facilities (such as buildings that do not have enough space or are in poor repair) difficulties in meeting governance and reporting requirements. The actions in this service development plan are intended to address these issues. The actions are grouped under four priority areas: 1. Access to services 2. Information and consultation 3. Management 4. Service delivery. 4

Priority areas, outcomes and actions from consultation Priority area 1: Access to services Key issues identified in consultation: Need for improved capacity to deliver culturally appropriate services Need for improved buildings and facilities to enable service providers to deliver optimal level of service Need for strategies to improve staff recruitment, training and development, and support Need for strategies to address higher costs of service delivery in remote areas Outcome: Improved access to services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples Indicators: An increase in the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples accessing Home and Community Care services An increase in the funding of services provided to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients Actions Timeline Status as at December 2010 Change contract conditions to allow service providers to implement flexible responses to changing needs. Develop and implement workforce strategies to increase the recruitment and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Home and Community Care services. 30 June 2012 Completed. Service providers are now able to vary outputs and expenditure by up to 25% across service types within a service group, and up to 10% between service types across service groups. 30 June 2012 In 2010, the Home and Community Care Indigenous Peer Support Network pilot program assisted participants to gain Certificate IV in Home and Community Care, and establish a network for ongoing learning and support. The Indigenous Mentoring Program was conducted in 2010 through the Community Services Skilling Plan. Participation is linked to units of competency in the Community Services Training Package CHC08. Four programs will be conducted in 2011. 5

Outcome: Improved access to services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples Indicators: An increase in the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples accessing Home and Community Care services An increase in the funding of services provided to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients Actions Timeline Status as at December 2010 Review all buildings, vehicles and equipment funded by Home and Community Care and fund capital acquisitions on a community priority or needs basis. Develop and distribute the Home and Community Care Cultural Access Guide to assist mainstream service providers to improve access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 30 June 2011 In progress. Non-government organisations self-assessed asset stocktake and condition audit of Home and Community Care-funded property and motor vehicles has been completed. The survey information is being analysed and will be used to guide capital funding. 1 July 2010 Development completed. Trial of the guide is in progress. Provide access to cultural awareness training for mainstream service providers to increase their capability in delivering culturally appropriate services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 2009 and ongoing Accredited cultural capability and awareness training is available to Home and Community Care service providers through the Community Services Skilling Plan. The Cultural Access Guide has been developed to assist mainstream services to provide culturally appropriate services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Improve access to funding for service providers by earmarking a proportion of funding for the purchase of services specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Review unit costs to ensure levels of funding recognise costs of service delivery may be higher in remote areas. 30 June 2011 In the Home and Community Care Triennial Plan 2008 11, $5.4 million was identified to purchase services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. To date more than $4 million or 80% has been allocated. 30 June 2011 A review of unit costs will commence in January 2011. 6

Priority area 2: Information and consultation Key issues identified in consultation: Need for improved information about services Need for culturally appropriate assessment tools Need for improved avenues for consultation Outcome: Improved information and consultation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples Indicators: Information about services is available in a range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages Assessment tools are culturally appropriate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are equitably represented in the Home and Community Care program s consultation framework Actions Timeline Status as at December 2010 Publish and promote information about Home and Community Care services in multiple Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages. Investigate options for the development of a culturally appropriate Ongoing Needs Identification (ONI) tool. 2009 Completed. 30 June 2011 A reference group will meet in 2011 to investigate options. Publish and promote culturally appropriate resources in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages to increase awareness of the services available through the Home and Community Care program and how to access these services. 2009 and ongoing Completed. The Listen Up information strategy has been released in multiple Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages. Brochures about the Home and Community Care program services and how to access these services have been produced and are available on the Home and Community Care website. 7

Outcome: Improved information and consultation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples Indicators: Information about services is available in a range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages Assessment tools are culturally appropriate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are equitably represented in the Home and Community Care program s consultation framework Actions Timeline Status as at December 2010 Ensure appropriate consultation processes occur with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and carers, particularly those in rural and remote locations. Organise and promote events and forums to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service providers and encourage information sharing between Home and Community Care coordinators. 30 June 2011 Carers Queensland, Council on the Ageing Queensland and Queensland Aged and Disability Advocacy are contracted to independently consult with clients and carers of Home and Community Care services (the C3 project). This project provides a valuable, independent source of information about consumers experiences, needs and issues. Additional funding has been allocated to the project to ensure appropriate consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, particularly in regional areas 30 June 2011 Forums are conducted quarterly for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service providers. An annual Gympie Gathering face-to-face forum is held for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service providers in South-East Queensland. A statewide gathering is planned for 2011. 8

Priority area 3: Management Key issues identified in consultation: Need for strategies to improve staff recruitment, retention, training and development, and support Need for training and resources in governance Outcome: Efficient and effective management of Home and Community Care services Indicators: An increase in the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Home and Community Care workers with accredited training (i.e. Certificate II or III level training focused on community care, with the inclusion of governance training). An increase in on-time reporting of MDS data by Home and Community Care Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services. Actions Timeline Status as at December 2010 Build on the training and development initiatives for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Home and Community Care service provider staff. Implement a peer support program for coordinators of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Home and Community Care services to improve professional development, information sharing, skills transfer and enhanced networking in regional and remote areas. Develop strategies to improve support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in leadership positions. 30 June 2011 The Community Services Skilling Plan strategy includes subsidies to improve access to accredited training for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 30 June 2011 Completed. The initial Peer Support Network for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Home and Community Care coordinators was conducted in 2010. 30 June 2011 A mentoring program has been conducted to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in leadership positions. The evaluation of this program will inform further development of strategies. 9

Outcome: Efficient and effective management of Home and Community Care services Indicators: An increase in the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Home and Community Care workers with accredited training (i.e. Certificate II or III level training focused on community care, with the inclusion of governance training). An increase in on-time reporting of MDS data by Home and Community Care Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services. Actions Timeline Status as at December 2010 Implement a training strategy to assist organisations with meeting governance and reporting requirements and contractual arrangements. Implement a training strategy to improve the collection, reporting and dissemination of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) data. 30 June 2011 Training in governance is available through the Community Services Skilling Plan. Resources are available on the Community Door website to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations to improve governance policy and practices. 30 June 2011 Train the Trainer MDS training was held in April 2010. A review of the Home and Community Care MDS manual is complete and improvements have been made to the MDS information on Home and Community Care website. 10

Priority area 4: Service delivery Key issues identified in consultation: Need for improved collaboration and coordination of services where many agencies are delivering services to the same groups of people within communities Need for culturally appropriate models of service Outcome: Coordinated, planned and reliable service delivery Indicator: An increase in the units of service provided to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients (i.e. provision of a greater variety of service types by service providers to clients). Actions Timeline Status at December 2010 Work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the development and implementation of Home and Community Care service delivery models. Work with the Commonwealth Government Indigenous Coordination Centre and relevant services within the Department of Communities to develop a framework for funding capital works in line with community needs and government priorities. These services will include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services (Regional Director and Directors Government Coordination), the Corporate Performance and Portfolio Services directorate and the Remote Indigenous Land and Infrastructure Program Office. 30 June 2012 Initial contact has been made with service providers to identify best practice service models using stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service providers. Four publications will be produced to promote these best practice models. 30 June 2012 Recommendations for major capital projects announced in 2010 were based on collaboration with the nominated areas (including technical working groups for each community, which were convened by the Remote Indigenous Land and Infrastructure Program Office). In 2011, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service providers will be consulted about contract management processes with the aim of developing simpler, more user-friendly and culturally appropriate processes while ensuring appropriate accountability for both the organisation and the funding body. 11

Outcome: Coordinated, planned and reliable service delivery Indicator: An increase in the units of service provided to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients (i.e. provision of a greater variety of service types by service providers to clients). Actions Timeline Status as at 30 December 2010 Have Home and Community Care funded service providers continue to administer Commonwealth and state government funding to transition former Community Development Employment Program (CDEP) funded participants to permanent full-time, permanent part-time or permanent casual positions. Ongoing The Commonwealth has committed to funding 43 positions through Building an Indigenous Workforce in Community Care Initiative funding and seven positions through Cape York Welfare Reform funding (CYWR). The state government has committed to funding six positions through CYWR funding. This ensures an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce is available to continue to service Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients within their regions. 12