Practical Design Fund

$10M fund for projects that will contribute to the development of an NDIS and help to prepare people with disability, their families and carers, the disability services workforce and disability service organisations for significant change.

Recipients

73 innovative projects have received funding from the Practical Design Fund (PDF). These projects will give individuals and organisations the opportunity to contribute to the implementation of the NDIS. It will also help prepare people with disability, their families and carers, the disability sector and workforce for the changes in how people choose and access disability supports under the NDIS.

The projects include innovative and new approaches that will:

• assist people with the transition to individualised and/or self-directed funding
• support people with disability to exercise choice and control
• support the growth and skilling of the disability workforce, and
• help transition disability service organisations to an NDIS environment, including providing person-centered support and managing individualised funding arrangements.

Background

On 3 December 2011, the Prime Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard MP, announced that the Australian Government will provide $10 million in 2012-13 to support funding for initiatives and resources that would identify practical ways to prepare people with disability, their families and carers, the disability sector and workforce for the transition to an NDIS. This funding is known as the Practical Design Fund (PDF).

Overview

The Practical Design Fund will provide the opportunity for respondents to undertake work which will both contribute to the development of an NDIS and help to prepare people with disability, their families and carers, the disability services workforce and disability service organisations for significant change.

The Practical Design Fund is designed to identify practical solutions to the challenges facing people with disability, their families and carers and the disability sector as we transition to an NDIS, including in relation to:

• the transition to individualised and/or self-directed funding;
• how best to support people with disability to exercise choice and control;
• how to grow and skill the disability care workforce; and
• how to transition disability service organisations to individualised funding.

Potential Projects

The introduction of an NDIS will result in a greater level of consumer choice and control for people with disability. Project proposals to address this issue could include:

• a practical guide to implementing best practice consumer choice and control from the perspective of people with disability, workforce members or service providers. This could be based on information on a variety of sources such as joint focus group sessions of consumers and providers or demonstration projects with current service providers.
• identifying the key elements that could be included in information packages that will enable people with disability, their families and carers to effectively use their consumer choice and control;
• training guidelines to assist organisations to prepare training packages for staff to effectively operate in the new environment; or
• identifying how families and carers can best participate in the development of care planning.

The introduction of an NDIS will result in a greater demand for a larger and more flexible workforce to provide care and support. Projects to address this issue may include identifying:

• the key elements of a recruitment and retention strategy including a focus on the employment of people with disability;
• innovative and practical responses that will assist disability service organisations to adjust to individualised and variable demand for services;
• practical ways technology may improve workforce productivity; or
• the best practical responses to address care and support needs in rural and remote regions of Australia.

The introduction of an NDIS will result in greater levels of individualised funding and moving away from block funding, except in limited circumstances. How will providers prepare their operations to adjust to the new business model and ensure financial viability? Projects to address this issue may include identifying:

• accounting frameworks, billing and reporting systems or human resource systems best suited for disability service providers operating with several funding models;
• key features of risk management strategies that will assist organisations to prepare for the changes;
• guidance to assist organisations to accurately cost services and prepare marketing strategies; or

Applicant Eligibility

 The following entity types are eligible to apply for funding for this activity:

a) Incorporated Associations (incorporated under State/Territory legislation, commonly have ‘Association’ or ‘Incorporated’ or ‘Inc’ in their legal name);

b) Incorporated Cooperatives (also incorporated under State/Territory legislation, commonly have “Cooperative’ in their legal name);

c) Companies (incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 – may be not-for-profit or for-profit proprietary company (limited by shares or by guarantee) or public companies);

d) Aboriginal Corporations (incorporated under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2006);

e) Organisations established through a specific piece of Commonwealth or State/Territory legislation (many public benevolent institutions, churches, universities, unions etc);

f) An individual or – jointly and separately – individuals

Funding

$10 million is allocated to the Practical Design Fund.

In addition to this Practical Design Fund selection process, a second smaller Practical Design Fund selection process may be conducted later in 2012 if the applications received do not sufficiently cover the objectives of the Practical Design Fund or emerging issues for the NDIS require addressing. The second round may be an open, competitive round or direct selection depending on the project areas requiring development.

Applicants who are unsuccessful in this open selection process will be eligible to apply if a second, open selection process is conducted.

The Australian Government will also provide separate funding from 2012-13, additional to the Practical Design Fund, to prepare the local community and the disability sector for the new way of delivering care and support to people with disability. This additional funding will focus on launch locations.

Eligible Activities

Eligible projects must meet the objective of the Practical Design Fund .

A list of possible areas or projects include:

(1)  How might people with disability, their families and carers, as well as disability service providers and the disability workforce be assisted to adapt to an environment in which individualised packages of support (including self-directed funding in a competitive environment) are provided to people with disability?

For example:

1. How will people with disability and their families be provided with the information to effectively exercise control and choice in the new environment?
2. How realistic individual plans are developed and how is the person with disability actively engaged in the design of the plan, based on the strengths of the person?
3. How will planning be undertaken with individuals, and by whom?
4. How do individuals manage their individualised budgets and packages of support to obtain greatest benefit?
5. How do individuals choose an appropriate provider/s?
6. How do we ensure portability of support packages between providers and between geographical locations?
7. How will the NDIS impact on individuals, families and service providers in the short term and the medium term and how can negative impacts be mitigated?
8. How do individuals make an informed choice in an individualised service delivery environment?
9. How do individuals directly employ their own support and what support will be required to facilitate this (e.g. ATO considerations, Worker’s Compensation)?
10. How and when is control transferred from parent to child in an individualised service delivery environment?
11. How do advocates and advocacy organisations fit into the new environment?
12. How do providers ensure an individualised approach across their organisation?
13. How do providers market their services?
14. How do providers cope with cash flow uncertainties that some may experience as a result of individualised (rather than block) funding?
15. How do providers assist existing clients to exercise choice and control?
16. How do providers demonstrate evidence based results?
17. How do we keep families strong in the new environment?

(2)  How do we ensure that Indigenous people and People from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds receive the full benefits of an NDIS?

1. How will Indigenous people with disability and their families be supported to understand their rights and entitlements under an NDIS?
2. How will Indigenous people with disability, particularly those that do not currently access the service system, learn how to navigate an NDIS for their benefit?
3. How will an NDIS engage with Indigenous people with disability who do not self-identify as people with disability?
4. How does the NDIS best cater to people who do not speak English?
5. How do providers ensure cultural appropriateness in services offered to Indigenous people?
6. How does the NDIS ensure that Indigenous people in remote communities receive the full benefits of an NDIS?
7. How do we encourage ATSI and CALD people to become workers in the disability support system?

(3)  How do people with disability and disability service providers effectively manage transition to an environment containing an NDIS?

For example:

1. How do people with disability who are currently receiving packages of support understand the impact of NDIS introduction on them, their carers and family?
2. How do people with disability who are currently receiving packages of support, including employment in Australian Disability Enterprises, successfully transition to an environment containing an NDIS?
3. How do providers demonstrate value for money and a focus on outcomes and goals for people with disability?
4. How do providers risk-manage the transition?
5. How do providers manage community engagement during the transition period?
6. How do providers determine the most appropriate information technology systems?
7. How do providers manage cost variations across locations and groups?

(4)  How do disability service providers work effectively in an environment containing an NDIS?

For example:

1. How is information in an NDIS owned by people with disability?
2. How are people with disability in regional and remote areas ensured that they receive the full benefits of an NDIS?
3. How could labour market projects be developed to minimise travel times, maximise staff retention and increase efficiency by better matching staff with clients in local areas, within the context of choice, rather than simply matching staff with organisations?
4. How do providers adapt their governance and communication arrangements to work effectively with the NDIS?
5. How do providers decide whether to offer NDIS funded services or not?
6. How do we ensure current knowledge and best practice is maintained in the new environment?

(5)  How will disability service providers meet the increased demand for services resulting from the additional funding available under an NDIS?

For example:

1. What role can new technologies and social media play?
2. How do providers increase their capability and capacity?
3. How do providers adjust their strategic business and financial planning?
4. How do providers adjust and grow their staffing?
5. How could people with disability be employed as a direct response to workforce capacity needs?
6. How are regional and rural workforces increased to meet demand?

This list is not exhaustive and alternate projects are welcomed.

Projects may propose solutions based on current knowledge and best practice or develop innovative solutions.

Projects may propose solutions based on Australian or international experience.

Project applications from people with lived experience are welcome. This includes people with disability, their families and carers, disability care workers, service providers, representative organisations and advocates.

Ineligible activities

DEEWR’s National Workforce Development Fund has allocated an amount of its funding for disability workforce qualification development. Therefore delivery of formal qualifications is out of scope, as these may be delivered as part of the DEEWR fund.

Projects already funded by state governments or the Commonwealth Government are not eligible for funding under the Practical Design Fund.

Expert Assistance

Writing a good quality grant application is a critical element in the application process. An application needs to be well thought through, written concisely, have clear objectives and purpose, and show clear links to the objectives of the grant guidelines.

The grant application must answer all questions, provide all required information and respond to the merit criteria. It should also reflect your organisation’s business strategy.

Writing a good application takes time and effort, and requires particular writing skills.

Bulletpoint are expert grant consultants and can assist with all aspects of grant preparation.

Call us on (03) 9005 6789 or email to discuss further.

More Information

• Practical Design Fund – Application Form
• Practical Design Fund – Guidelines
• Practical Design Fund – Information

Share

•