Government Establishes Severe Behaviour Response Teams

Severe Behaviour Response Teams will be established across Australia to provide advice to residential aged care providers needing assistance in dealing with people with severe symptoms of dementia.
The mobile teams will be funded by a $54.5 million investment over four years, the amount originally set aside for the Dementia Supplement.
Assistant Minister for Social Services Mitch Fifield said the first phase of the  Severe Behaviour Response Teams is expected to commence later this year, following a competitive tender process. He said the SBRTs will work closely with the existing Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Services in each state and territory and a second phase will see these two programs integrated from 2016-17.
"Complementing this initiative, the Government will also conduct an analysis of existing dementia programs during the first half of 2015," Mr Fifield said.
At present, the Federal Government provides more then $130 million for programs which support people with dementia and their carers.
" These programs have evolved individually over a number of years and the Government is keen to ensure that we optimise the national coordination, integration and effectiveness of this major investment," Mr Fifield said.
Leading Age Services Australia CEO Patrick Reid said he welcomed any funding supporting aged care residents but is concerned the 'flying squad' of Severe Behaviour Response Teams will be a "quick fix with no enduring increase in skill levels for those dealing with severe behaviours."
“LASA continues to strongly support a case management approach that assists in the capacity and capability building at service level rather than seeing an ad hoc, problem solving approach that does not necessarily impart knowledge and skill. There is a risk that the specialist response teams will simply be a quick fix with no enduring increase in skill levels for those dealing with severe behaviours.
“LASA is pleased that our advocacy pushing for a review of the effectiveness of the remaining dementia programs and their $130M in funding has been announced. As always LASA will continue to provide provider expertise and use the experience of our frontline staff to provide co-design advice in support of our most vulnerable Australians.”
“A responsive and supported industry working with consumers and their carers will ensure every consumer in need receives funding. LASA will continue its advocacy in this regard and monitor that any new funding is equitable and accessible.”
Prof John G Kelly, AM, CEO Aged & Community Services Australia, also says the idea of Severe Behaviour Response Teams has merit but whether they can provide resources and expertise quickly enough to circumstances in regional, rural and remote areas will need monitoring.
"If this is a city-centric fix to a large problem, it will disadvantage many people with severe behaviours all across Australia," Prof Kelly said. "This alternative to the over-subscribed Dementia and Severe Behaviours Supplement came out of the Ministerial Dementia Forum held late last year.
"While it was clear to ACSA and others in the sector that the supplement's budget would be overspent, there was unanimous support across the sector for the need for greater support for people with severe behaviours. "This need did not disappear when the funding was withdrawn.
"Roaming teams of experts may work in the first instance but building capacity across the sector through a whole-of-workforce approach needs to be part of the future workforce development policy and funding.
"The review of current dementia services, which cost $132 million, is welcome as many aged care providers have considerable expertise in this area.
"The Government needs to consider also further funding the appropriate internal expertise to work with residents on an ongoing basis. This may be considered as a component of the national workforce strategy."