Page 4170 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 18 November 2015
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Already we have seen the number of providers in the ACT grow as a result of the NDIS. Parents now have a choice of service providers. A greater range of earlier intervention services with different service offerings will allow families to choose an intervention program that supports the individual needs of the child and their family. These services provide families with the knowledge, skills and support to meet the needs of their children, optimise their child’s development and increase their ability to participate in family and community life.
We are well into our second year of the two-year NDIS trial and, as of September this year, 2,176 ACT residents have NDIS plans and a further 439 people have been assessed as eligible and will begin developing their plans. I will repeat that, Mr Assistant Speaker: from September of this year, 2,176 ACT residents have an NDIS plan. That provides opportunities that they have not had before. A further 439 people have been assessed as eligible and are developing their plans now.
Of the people who have transitioned to the NDIS, so far 26 per cent have a primary disability of autism and related disorders. This is the largest disability cohort in the scheme and reflects our decision to phase children into the NDIS first to ensure that they get the benefits of the NDIS as early as possible.
Mr Wall’s motion refers to post-school options for young adults with ADS. I am happy to inform him of another opportunity which the NDIS is bringing to people in the ACT. This is the NDIS school leavers employment project. During 2015, the Education and Training Directorate participated in this project for students with a disability graduating from year 12. The program will provide supports for students to develop skills for participation in the workforce. It will also provide support in the workplace and develop employment sustainability.
The project has a number of stages. Firstly, the National Disability Insurance Agency provided training sessions for education staff from all ACT government high schools and colleges in preparation for the beginning of the project. The Catholic Education Office and the Association of Independent Schools were also involved in the training. In term 3 of this year the NDIA was invited to participate in individual learning plan meetings for students at Black Mountain School in years 11 and 12. This meeting provided an opportunity for students and their families to focus on planning for post-school options.
The Education and Training Directorate has assessed 48 year 12 students this year using an online assessment tool to assess their support needs. The NDIA is currently analysing the completed assessments to determine which students will be eligible for the program. The NDIA will then write to students and their families and their carers with the outcome.
The school leavers employment support—or SLES—packages will commence with the first quarter of 2016. Leading up to this, there will be workshops for young people to support them on their journey towards employment and to cover the period between school leaving and commencing their formal SLES packages.
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