WAiS E-Bulletin March 2016 Welcome to the March 2016 edition of our WAiS E-Bulletin. We can’t believe it is March already and in two short months will be hosting our WAiS conference, ‘Whose Life is it anyway’ which is a conference for everyone. We hope that it will form part of an annual tradition for WAiS. In an exciting line of guests we are privileged to have international speakers Peter Leidy and Stephen Hinkle feature in our conference program, as well as many other local guests. The conference explores the themes of Life is better with friends and family, …Life is better when you have options and Life is better with purpose and meaning. We look forward to everyone joining us to learn, share, collaborate together and make this an annual opportunity for Individualised Services to be explored, showcased and celebrated. Leanne Pearman IN THIS ISSUE * Young Self-Managers NDIS peer support group * KPMG Tax Update * WAiS Membership Renewal 2016-17 * Individuals and Families – Engaging your own support * No Fault Insurance Scheme * VALID ‘Having a Say’ Conference 2016 * WAiS Conference May 2016 * Leadership for Change * Supported Decision Making Introductory Workshop * Making services safer for people with disability – can you help? * Support worker training with Peter Leidy Young Self Managers NDIS Peer Support Group Creating their own changes….. The Young Self Managers peer support group have already met for the first time and are busy going about setting calendar dates and meeting agendas for future meetings. The group of young people, are all people who are, or planning, to self-manage their individualised funding. They have come together in a supportive and safe place to share their experiences as self-managers, and build upon their knowledge about self-management and the NDIS. Contact: Liz Dutton liz@waindividualisedservices.org.au KPMG - TAX UPDATE WPNs & Super Clearing Houses Recent superannuation reforms (SuperStream) enable people to meet their superannuation obligations by way of electronic payments, and digital submissions of data through using a superannuation clearing house, or through payroll software. These reforms were introduced to simplify the superannuation compliance process and improve efficiency. However, currently many people with disability or family members who do not have ABNs but WPNs, are unable to use this new process due to WPNs not being accepted by the clearing house system. For the moment, people have to opt for the “old” method of manual payments. The key concern is that, as at July 2016, manual payments will no longer be an option. WAiS, together with KPMG, have made a submission to the ATO raising this problem, requesting a resolution and recommending solutions. We are aware of the urgency of the matter given the July 2016 deadline and, together with KPMG, are working to do what we can to resolve this issue with the ATO. WAIS MEMBERSHIP We are excited to announce that WAiS Membership for 2016-17 will be open for joining soon! Member benefits include (but not limited to): * Expert Advisory Services (including up to date information on the legislative, statutory and contractual framework affecting its members) * Discounted member presentations, seminars and conferences * Targeted Advice and mentoring * Use of WAiS Logo * Representation on specialist membership groups PEOPLE AND FAMILIES - Engaging Your Own Support Individualised funding has been available through the Disability Services Commission in Western Australia for approximately the last 20 years, and the option to manage your funding has been on the increase for a number of years. The disability services sector responded to the increase through offering other models of managing supports which are; self and shared management. The NDIS and NDIS My Way schemes have enabled more people to access funding, and the number of people who are choosing to employ their own staff continues to be on the rise. There are more employees entering the disability services workforce who are being recruited by people and families, rather than by disability service providers than ever before. There are a number of reasons why people choose to self or share manage their funding, which include; having more choice and control over who they employ, having more flexibility in their support arrangements and being aware of and responsible for their own budget. As an employer, knowing the legal and technical responsibilities is important, and people want to know they are doing the right thing. Towards the end of 2015, WAiS developed and began delivering a series of workshops to provide current and relevant information to people and families on how to self-manage individualised funding. The common questions people contact WAiS for include; what are the legal and technical responsibilities we need to be aware of?, Do I have to withhold tax?, Should I pay my employees superannuation?, What does private and domestic nature mean?, What is a statement by supplier form?. These are the questions that are answered in the workshops and more! The workshop is a 2 part series and was initially developed in partnership with the Disability Services Commission, Local Area Coordination North East district. It has since gone on to be delivered in a number of local areas including the North West, Central East/Kelmscott/South Central districts, with future workshops scheduled for the NDIS My Way Cockburn/Kwinana trial site, Bunbury, Peel/Mandurah and Broome regions. The first workshop gives an overview of what self/shared and organisationally managed models of support mean. It also provides information on the technical and legal aspects of engaging your own support workers including; taxation, superannuation, industrial relations and workers compensation insurance. Naomi Jennings is a guest speaker for WAiS, who is an Insurance Broker and a parent. Naomi provides up to date, easy to understand information and is available at the end of each session to answer any other questions. The LAC roles and responsibilities are explained by a Disability Services Commission Regional or Area Manager. The second workshop provides an overview of the importance of having a vision and planning, and how to recruit and retain support staff. We have a number of guest speakers who share their experience of self or share managing and lessons they have learnt along the way. Participants are given a copy of the WAiS Preparing to Plan resource cards. There has been an overwhelming response to the workshops with a lot of interest from people whether they are currently managing their own supports, or wanting to learn more about it for a future option. WAiS has a number of resources available on the website. If people are keen to hear more about these workshops or other WAiS work please visit the website or give us a call. No-Fault Insurance Scheme On 25 February 2016, the Motor Vehicle (Catastrophic Injuries) Bill 2016 was tabled in State Parliament. This Bill will broaden existing motor vehicle injury insurance to cover life time care and support for people catastrophically injured in a motor vehicle accident but who are unable to successfully claim under the existing Compulsory Third Party (CTP) Insurance Scheme. Catastrophic injuries are spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, multiple amputations, severe burns and permanent traumatic blindness. The CTP Insurance Scheme does not cover a person’s own injuries who is at-fault and only covers a person who is not at-fault if fault can be identified against another owner or driver of a WA-licensed vehicle. The Bill, however, establishes the motor vehicle (catastrophic injuries) fund which will then make payments to people catastrophically injured for their care and support, for people who are either fully at fault or unable to prove fault against another identified driver. VALID ‘Having a Say’ Conference 2016 In February WAiS had the pleasure of attending and presenting at the VALID ‘Having a Say Conference’ in Geelong VIC. Presentations included ‘Preparing to Plan’ and ‘Supported Decision Making’. WAiS also enjoyed volunteering on day one and running a WAIS information table at the Conference Expo day two. The Expo allowed us to connect with many people and families living in the Geelong trial site. WAiS was able to showcase our resources and learn from people’s experiences of Individualised Services in Victoria. WHOSE LIFE IS IT ANYWAY CONFERENCE We are excited to be hosting a two-day conference in May 2016. The days will feature international and local speakers, art exhibitions, activities, film making and live music…and much MORE!! Our international guests include Stephen Hinkle and Peter Leidy. Stephen Hinkle is a well-respected international speaker and self-advocate. Stephen has been presenting and speaking for over 15 years. He has influenced audiences and successfully advocated for inclusive education and better outcomes for people with disability. Peter Leidy has been learning from people with disabilities since 1983. Peter is a consultant, facilitator, listener, learner, improviser, and speaker who focuses on personalized supports and community membership for people with disabilities. He also writes and sings songs about human service land and those who find themselves connected to it. 8th – 9th MAY 2016 Sunday (3 – 6pm) and Monday (9:30 – 5pm) at the Bendat Parent and Community Centre, Wembley Call for Volunteers. Please give us a call if you would like to assist with our conference in anyway. Please call WAiS 9485 1997 Leadership for Change In January WAiS consultant Kate Fulton led a two day workshop for people who had some responsibility for steering their organisation into the future, including navigating and responding to people and families in the new individualised context. The workshop was a success with attendees commenting: ‘from these sessions, I have learnt that my team value my leadership and give me a lot more credit that I give myself’ ‘It assisted me to think about the habits I’m in as a leader and where I could be more useful’ Supported Decision Making (SDM) Introductory workshop In January WAiS delivered a SDM workshop which explored the knowledge and skills needed to support people to make decisions and ensure self-direction is a possibility for all. When asked what the most useful aspects of the workshop were, feedback included: “The importance of involving people in decision making even when they are not able to say it with their voices.” “Reflection on how the people I support make their own decisions. My bias and role of conflict of interest within those decisions.” MAKING SERVICES SAFER FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY – CAN YOU HELP? Recently WAiS participated in the NDS and Curtin University study regarding safer services for people with disability. NDS and Curtin want to get a better understanding of how disability services help keep people with disabilities safe and what they can do to improve. We really encourage all of our members to participate in this study through interview, hosting their own small focus group or completing the online form through survey monkey. We can all help make services safer for people with disability through sharing our experiences and thoughts. Please contact NDS WA on 08 9208 9812 or merissa.vanderlinden@nds.org.au, or complete the online form found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XM3FKST Support Worker training with Peter Leidy As well as being an exclusive international guest at our first WAiS conference in May. Peter will be leading a special one day workshop for Support Workers focused on DOING OUR BEST WORK – 10 Ingredients of Quality Support, 10th May. Please register your interest with us so you don’t miss this great opportunity! * Please call 9485 1997 or email: admin@waindividulaisedservices.org.au