Issue 82 | 26 February 2007
During the Business Service audit and compliance pilot a number of exit and suspension reasons recorded in FOFMS were identified as incorrect. It is vital for business services to record the correct reasons in FOFMS when a client is no longer, or temporarily unable to, receive ‘Services’ under Disability Employment Assistance. Feedback received from Business Services indicated that support officers were unclear on when to use the various ‘status change’ reasons defined in FOFMS.
FOFMS was recently updated to include revised status change reasons, to be used when a client’s case is suspended, exited or returned from suspension. The new list of available exit, suspension and return from suspension change reasons is located under the Literature tab on FOFMS and is titled Case Change Status Reasons Tip Sheet. The list provides more relevant choices for a Status Change and a description of when to use each of the new reasons that will help with more accurate reporting and analysis.
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Work Based Personal Assistance (WBPA) is available to employment services to help meet the recurrent costs associated with personal care services for workers with very high support needs. This includes assistance with personal care tasks such as personal hygiene, feeding by mouth, or assistance from a Registered Nurse to administer medical interventions. An allied health professional assessment and written report is required to confirm the high support needs of individual service users. Section 30 of the DEA Program Procedures outlines what is required to qualify for WBPA.
WBPA is paid to providers in arrears upon receipt of a claim. Providers have three months in which to make a claim from the time services have been provided to the individual. WBPA can be claimed for a maximum of 40 hours over a four week period. Two rates of payment apply:
If you have a worker who qualifies for WBPA and you wish to make a claim, WBPA Claim Forms are available under the “Literature” Tab on FOFMS. These should be completed and sent to The CBF Helpdesk, GPO Box 9820, Brisbane, 4001; or faxed to the CBF Helpdesk on 07 3005 6097.
In order to assist with processing of WBPA Claim Forms you should ensure that:
If you require any further information on WBPA please contact your Contract Manager or the CBF Helpdesk on 1800 034 887 or Helpdesk.CBF@facsia.gov.au.
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In July 2006, a pilot of the Audit and Compliance Strategy was tested in ten business services located in Western Australia and South Australia. The focus of the strategy was to ensure taxpayer funds are spent as intended and to ensure accountability in program delivery. The compliance approach had three main components:
The Strategy focuses on the timeliness, completeness and accuracy of business services processes against the programme procedures, for example, DMI evidence collection, capture of client consent, development of Employment Assistance Plans, where DMIs have been completed early, or workers who are not suspended or exited in a timely fashion.
The success of the pilot means FaCSIA will now be rolling out the Audit & Compliance Strategy across the sector. Each business service outlet will be audited at least once over the next two years.
Sites will be contacted via letter prior to their audit date, and will have time to prepare the selected cases and paperwork necessary for the audit.
On the day of the audit, FaCSIA staff will visit your service and perform the audit tasks on site. Audit results will be recorded and given one of three ratings; Major non conformity, Non conformity, or Conformity. The overall audit will be rated using the same ratings scale. Business service will receive a written audit report containing findings and recommendations.
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The next product in the Worktalk series, ‘Worktalk – Acquired Brain Injury’ is now available on the FaCSIA website.
The product will be released in hard copy with the next round of products, expected to be available in the coming weeks. For more information, visit the Wodonga TAFE project website.
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Brite Services has secured FaCSIA BSAP Cross Sector funding for the continued facilitation of the Victorian Disability Employment Network in 2007. The Victorian Disability Employment Network is an open consortium of business services interested in improving business performance and service delivery.
In 2007 the network will focus on strategically enhancing business viability through the promotion of cooperative business ventures. There will be four scheduled network meetings where participants will be encouraged to share and explore cooperative venture opportunities. Access to expert assistance facilitation outside network meetings will also be available for those groups of business services that decide to pursue cooperative ventures.
All business services throughout Victoria are welcome and encouraged to participate.
If you are based in Victoria and want to be involved in the Victorian Disability Employment Network in 2007 please email Brite Services at admin@briteind.com.au for further information.
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