Recommendation

Evidence of current and future need for accommodation in the ACT should be determined prior to the funding of any new accommodation initiatives. Data collection would be the responsibility of the Aged & Disability Services program so that accommodation services are of a type and quantity the community needs.

There are enormous pressures for expanded accommodation support services for people with disabilities. The development of a Branch database would assist in the data collection. Also refer to comments against Recommendation 4.4.

See 4.4.

The Department is continuing to develop means of assessing individuals' needs and assisting people to access required services and support. Individual Support Packages for which the Government announced increased funding in the 1995/96 Budget, are one means of obtaining a better fit of support and need.

Future accommodation options should be small, community based and designed around the needs and wants of the people who need them.

The policy development requirements for future accommodation options will be part of the reform process and will address this recommendation.

The government allocated an extra $450,000 to the provision of Individual Support Packages in the 1995/96 Budget.