Consultation Process Launched to Discuss NDIS Standards

Public consultation has been launched by the COAG Disability Reform Council to discuss quality and safeguards for the NDIS.
Disability Ministers from Government across Australia are ensuring the public has confidence that NDIS funded support programs have met rigorous quality standards.
Chair of the Council, the federal Assistant Minister for Social Services Senator Mitch Fifield, says with some people with disability vulnerable to abuse the system needs to be able to keep them safe.
The Ministers said the consultations are about finding the best ways to ensure all NDIS registered providers offer services that are safe and effective, while ensuring participants have choice and control when choosing a provider.
“The development of a new quality and safeguarding framework is an opportunity to streamline the rules across all states and territories to make it easier for people with disability and service providers,” Minister Fifield said.
The consultation paper outlines  options for registering providers, handling complaints and screening of staff.
“We want to hear what impact different options could have on people with disability and providers. This will help us develop a nationally consistent, quality and safeguarding framework,” Minister Fifield said.
The Council encouraged all people with disability, their families and carers, service providers and advocacy groups to get involved in the consultations by making a submission on all or any of the issues, attending a public meeting or joining the discussion in the online forum.
The consultations  will close on 30 April 2015. The consultaion paper can be downloaded here