COVID-19 has led to unprecedented challenges within the disability community. Impacting participants and their support, business operations and workers, there has been a necessity to change the way NDIS service providers operate. To assist in navigating these challenges, the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has released a number of provider alerts that provide information and guidance on how to manage these impacts and changes.

Continuing support to participants

With legislation being implemented regarding social contact across all states and territories, the way services are delivered to NDIS participants may need to be altered. These alterations should be made to reduce risks for workers and participants, and to comply with current Commonwealth, state or territory legislation.

The NDIS Commission has released an alert that outlines innovative ways supports for participants may be delivered whilst reducing the risk of infection, including:

• virtual supports

• one-on-one support maintaining social distancing rather than group activities (as legislation allows)

• drop-in or contactless services

• communication with families and support networks through social media, telephone or video calls.

Service providers are also encouraged to create clear communication channels and methods for participants, their families, support workers and anyone else involved in the continuity of supports.

Communicating with participants, behaviour support and restrictive practices

All participants should be clearly informed of changes to their support and the impact the pandemic may have on their supports. This includes the need for social distancing, isolation and its impact on day to day activity plans. Support workers should discuss possible alternatives where the participant is able to actively exercise choice and control over how they would like to create new strategies and approaches to their lives.

Support workers should also clearly communicate with participants what social distancing and social isolation are and why they may be necessary. Whilst medical isolation is not considered an NDIS regulated restrictive practice, such measures may adversely affect participants if appropriate environmental settings and communication is not provided.

The NDIS Commission has released a fact sheet for NDIS providers and support workers to navigate behaviour support and restrictive practices during COVID-19.

Worker training, PPE and minimising transmission risks

Recently Centro ASSIST published the blog COVID-19 in Disability Services: Practical Steps for Staying Safe. This blog provides practical and helpful solutions to help protect both worker and participants from the risk of transmission.

To further assist workers in minimising the risk of transmission and infection control, the Australian Government’s Department of Health has developed an online training module. The module, COVID-19: Infection Control and Training covers:

• what is Covid-19?

• signs and symptoms

• keeping safe – protecting yourself and others, and

• myth busting.

In addition to this, the NDIS Commission has also released information for support workers and accessing PPE equipment. This alert details when PPE is required for support workers and how providers can order PPE that cannot be obtained through usual suppliers.

Provider obligations

As part of the NDIS Code of Conduct, NDIS Practice Standards and as part of the conditions of registration, NDIS service providers and workers have an ongoing obligation to provide safe, competent and quality supports and services to the participants they support.

As part of the NDIS Code of Conduct, workers and providers are required to take necessary steps to raise and act on concerns which may impact the quality, competency or safety of supports provided to people with disability.

As part of the NDIS Practice Standards, registered providers must have clear and comprehensive policies and processes for:

• Governance and operational management, including:

  • governance and operational management systems

  • risk management policy and/or plans that identify, analyse, and prioritise risks across the business including to workers and participants and their supports in the event of a disruptive events

  • continuity of support to participants.

• Provision of supports environment, including:

  • an environment that is safe and appropriate to deliver the required supports to participants; this may include working with other providers and services.

  • robust work health and safety operations that prioritise the health, safety and wellbeing of workers and participants.

Business continuity planning and financial assistance

To support providers, the NDIS released information on business continuity planning which outlines the need to have proactive steps to continue operations and maintain services and support to the participants you are supporting.

If you require further assistance with business continuity planning, Centro ASSIST has developed a comprehensive set of policies and processes that addresses pandemic management (specifically related to COVID-19), risk management and work health and safety to meet the NDIS Practice Standards and help support your business during this pandemic.

Additionally, the Australian Government has made several financial measures available to businesses, participants and support workers during the COVID-19 pandemic to assist in continuity of operation. A summary of these measures has been made available by the NDIS Commission alerts, Assistance for organisations and Further assistance for organisations, people and households.

The NDIA also provisioned a number of temporary financial measures to assist providers and participants which is summarised in the Centro ASSIST blog COVID-19 and NDIS Pricing Changes.

Notifying the NDIS Commission of certain events

As part of registration requirements, NDIS service providers must notify the NDIS Commission if changes or events adversely affect your ability to deliver supports and services to NDIS participants. The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has set up a specialised notification of event form during this pandemic.

You must notify the NDIS Commission if any change or event will or has:

• significantly affected your ability to comply with your conditions of registration and the NDIS Practice Standards

• seriously impaired your ability to effectively conduct your operations and deliver ongoing supports or services to NDIS participants

• adversely affected a person with disability’s access to the supports or services you are registered to provide.

Further information, alerts and resources

The NDIS Commission contains links to updates, training and other resources related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) also has a FAQ relating to COVID-19, which may be helpful for providers in connecting with and helping participants.

The Australian Government also regularly publishes current information relating to COVID-19 including:

• Key updates

• Health alerts and advice

• Restrictions and safety advice.

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