Published now: NDIS Legislation Amendment (Quality Indicators) Guidelines 2021
The NDIS Commission has now published the changes which include the introduction of three new Practice Standards. This Amendment makes essential changes to the NDIS Act to improve the support and protections provided to NDIS participants who may be at risk of harm. The Amendment also includes a number of minor amendments to strengthen existing measures and ensure the NDIS commission has the clear legal authority to pursue providers or workers who infringe or fail to uphold the rights of people with disabilities.
In summary, the amendment will strengthen the protections for NDIS participants, including those who are at risk of harm and will strengthen the operational effectiveness of the NDIS program.
What are the new requirements?
The amendment includes the following new requirements:
1) Mealtime management
2) Severe dysphagia management
3) Emergency and disaster management and related matters
4) Other amendments
5) Application, saving, and transitional provisions
- Mealtime Management Practice Standard – providing guidance and ensuring compliance in relation to safe and quality practice by registered NDIS providers in the delivery of mealtime management to people with disabilities. This requirement applies to a provider who provides
supports to participants who require support to manage mealtimes (such as those with mild dysphagia). It deals with the nutritional value and texture of meals, and with their planning, preparation and delivery. It will appear in Schedule 1, Core Module, Part 5 – Support provision environment, of the NDIS Practice Standards; - Severe Dysphagia Management Practice Standard – providing guidance and ensuring compliance in relation to safe and quality practice by registered NDIS providers in the delivery of severe dysphagia management to people with disabilities. This requirement applies to a provider who provides high intensity daily personal activities and has severe dysphagia management set out in the certificate of registration. It will appear in Schedule 2, Module 1: High intensity daily personal activities, of the Practice Standards.
- Emergency and Disaster Management Practice Standard – to strengthen guidance to NDIS providers on complying with their obligations to ensure the health, wellbeing, and safety of the NDIS participants they support during COVID-19, or future emergencies or disasters. this standard is intended to address the planning required by providers to prepare, prevent, manage and respond to emergency and disaster situations whilst mitigating risks to and ensuring continuity of supports that are critical to the health, safety and wellbeing of NDIS participants. It will appear in Schedule 1, Core Module, Part 3 – Provider governance and operational management, of the NDIS Practice Standards.
See the full requirements here: https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2021N00274
Who will be affected?
Providers delivering services that require NDIS Assessment or NDIS Audit against the Core Module, Verification Module or Module 1 (0104 High-Intensity Daily personal Activities). The new amendments will come into effect from Monday 15 November 2021.
What do I need to do to ensure compliance?
Information about transition periods and details of the new Practice Standards, including resources to support their implementation is available on the Practice Standards page of the NDIS website. You may download our checklist to assit you with the preparation.
Are you Dysphagia Aware?
Practice Alert: Dysphagia, safe swallowing, and mealtime management
Dysphagia is a medical term for any difficulty with swallowing. It is associated with a wide range of disabilities and health conditions. People with disability who have dysphagia are more likely to die from choking or respiratory illnesses or have serious health complications because of poor management of dysphagia.
Because of the high rates of dysphagia in people with disability, there is an increased risk of respiratory problems and/or choking and poor nutrition. Swallowing problems can allow food, drinks, or saliva to get into the lungs rather than the stomach, which can cause aspiration pneumonia.
This practice alert explains the risks associated with dysphagia, how to support NDIS participants with dysphagia, and provider obligations.
For a copy of the Dysphagia Practice Alert – Click Here
Read More : NDIS Certification vs NDIS Verification
The process to register as an NDIS provider
NDIS – Frequently Asked Questions
More information on NDIS Commission website.