More, better, or different? NDIS workforce planning for people with intellectual disability and complex support needs

Experiences of National Disability Insurance Scheme planning from the perspective of adults with intellectual disability

“…These results emphasise the importance of hearing the lived experiences of people with intellectual disability and suggest that further investigation of lived experience is required. The present study indicates that the NDIS may fail to make a real difference to the lives of people with intellectual disability (Dowse et al ; Dowse et al ). Goals formulated by participants were often not achieved.…”

“…Existing research indicates planning relies heavily on skilled and well‐trained planners (Robinson ). Researchers have highlighted concerns that the NDIS may fail to produce meaningful change for people with intellectual disability and further marginalise them, if there is not a workforce capable of supporting their decision‐making needs (Dowse et al ; Dowse et al ).…”

Opportunities to enhance relational wellbeing through the National Disability Insurance Scheme: Implications from research on relationships and a content analysis of NDIS documentation

“…The capacity of the NDIS to address and support the relational context and relationship networks of its participants should therefore be viewed as of critical importance. But while there has been much analytic discussion of other aspects of the scheme during its development stages–including its accessibility and responsiveness to the needs of marginalized populations (Soldatic, Van Toorn, Dowse, & Muir, ) and to the needs of people with complex support needs (Dowse et al., )–questions about the capacity of the NDIS to address relational considerations are only more recently emerging (Treanor, ) and have not been fully explored. A comprehensive analysis of the way that relationships have been conceptualized in NDIS's foundational legislation and funding guidelines–and the implications for NDIS participants–has, for example, not yet been undertaken.…”

“…People with severe or profound intellectual disability who require communication and decision‐making support may find it particularly challenging to articulate what they want and need for their relationships within the planning process, especially when it is family and carers who support them in this process, who will also have their own, potentially competing, wants and needs (Bigby, Whiteside, & Douglas, ). While some NDIS participants are embedded within pre‐existing relational networks, others such as people who experience social isolation, people living in segregated settings or people with complex needs may have little to no day to day contact with and support from family, carers, and friends (Dowse et al., , Soldatic et al., ). In this case, building relational considerations into the planning process may not only be about strengthening relationships, but also establishing or re‐establishing them from within service settings where, as a result of social isolation and ongoing service changes, there may be few people who know the participant well.…”

Transitions in the Lives of Older Adults With Intellectual Disabilities: “Having a Sense of Dignity and Independence”

“…In other words, their eligibility to access the NDIS scheme and level of funding required are assessed (Soldatic, van Toorn, Dowse, & Muir, 2014). As highlighted by Dowse et al (2016), among some of the critical challenges facing Australia in relation to NDIS provision is workforce that is trained to provide support to people with ID. It is also important that workforce turnover is at a low rate allowing for a development of relationship with the client.…”