Accessing the NDIS Assisting people with psychosocial disability to access the NDIS: a guide for Commonwealth-funded community mental health service providers

Abstract

Purpose: The practice guide has been developed to assist Commonwealth-funded community mental health and carer respite program providers in supporting participants to access the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Mental health conditions can impact many aspects of daily living and this guide will assist program staff to assess and document the barriers to an ordinary life experienced by people with psychosocial disability. The guide has been developed in collaboration with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), and Department of Social Services (DSS) representatives and providers. The document draws on information from a number of sources to provide a readily accessible document tailored to the needs of Commonwealth-funded community mental health and carer program providers. Resources developed by the NDIA and community mental health providers to support people with psychosocial disability to access to the NDIS are included. Assisting people with psychosocial disability to access the NDIS. Community mental health providers have an important role in ensuring that current service users are best placed to transition to the NDIS when it is available in their regions. Funding for four Commonwealth community-based mental health programs is transferring to the NDIS because of the close alignment of program and NDIS goals. The programs are: • Mental Health Respite: Carer Support (MHR:CS) • Partners in Recovery (PIR) • Personal Helpers and Mentors (PHaMs) • Support for Day to Day Living in the Community (D2DL).