Assessing Panel Guide Enhanced Service Offer

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Enhanced Service Offer

Assessing Panel Guide


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Enhanced Service Offer Assessing Panel Guide

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Accessibility

The ACT Government is committed to making its information, services,

events and venues, accessible to as many people as possible. If you have

difficulty reading a standard printed document and would like to receive

this publication in an alternative format, such as large print or audio

please phone 6205 7743.

Key contacts

Please contact Panel Support Team on 6207 8980

About this guide

This guide is prepared by the Community Services Directorate to

assist people on the Enhanced Service Offer Assessing Panel.

The guide is a companion document to the Enhanced Services

Offer Application Guide. These documents will provide essential

information for Panel members to work through the assessment

process of applications for grants under the Enhanced Service

Offer.

Thank you to all members for your time and expertise which are

essential to this grants process.


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1. Key information for panel members .............................................................................. 5

1.1 Total time commitment for panel members ................................................................ 5

1.2 Community engagement fee ........................................................................................ 5

1.3 Transport assistance ..................................................................................................... 6

1.4 Administrative requirements ........................................................................................ 6

1.5 Location of assessment area ......................................................................................... 6

1.6 Contact point for anel members ................................................................................... 6

1.7 Conflict of Interest ........................................................................................................ 6

1.7 Essential meetings for panel members......................................................................... 7

2. Intent of the Enhanced Service Offer ............................................................................. 8

3. About the panel ............................................................................................................ 8

3.1 Responsibilities ............................................................................................................. 8

3.2 Panel membership ........................................................................................................ 9

3.3 Panel groups.................................................................................................................. 9

3.4 Experience, skills and qualifications of panel group ................................................... 10

3.5 Support for the panel .................................................................................................. 10

3.6 The role of the anel chairs .......................................................................................... 12

3.7 The role of panel pairs in consolidating scores .......................................................... 12

4. The assessment process .............................................................................................. 12

4.1 Timeframes for the assessment .................................................................................. 12

4.2 About the grants categories ....................................................................................... 13

4.3 Initial assessment ........................................................................................................ 13

4.4 How the assessment will work ................................................................................... 13

4.5 What panel members must consider.......................................................................... 14

5. Scoring against the criteria .......................................................................................... 16

5.1 Aids, Equipment and Minor Modifications ................................................................. 16

5.2 Quality of Life Grants .................................................................................................. 18

5.3 Flexible Supports and Services .................................................................................... 19

6. Documents ................................................................................................................. 21

Enhanced Service Offer ..................................................................................................... 21

Grant Panel Member ........................................................................................................ 21

Declaration ........................................................................................................................ 21

Code of conduct (Bowen Report principles) ..................................................................... 22

Confidentiality and conflict of interest agreement .......................................................... 23

Letter of offer .................................................................................................................... 25

How to Accept the Offer guide ......................................................................................... 26


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Acquittal Form .................................................................................................................. 27

Payment Advice: ............................................................................................................... 29

Treating Therapist Initial Application Support Checklist .................................................. 31


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1. Key information for panel members

In this section: what panel members need to know before they begin the

assessment process: dates, places and what happens and when.

ROUND 1 Grants open and close 1 July 9 August

Grants checked for eligibility,

sufficient information and vulnerable

applications

12 August - 19 August

Panel to assess all week 19 August 23 August (full time)

Panel assessment moderation 26 August -29 August

Panel Recommendation Reports

prepared by panel chairs

2 September - 6 September

Delegate considers recommendingreports

9 September 20 September

Letters of Offer Prepared From 23 September

Letters of Offer sent by Minister 23 September - mid October 2013

ROUND 2 Grants open and close 30 September 8 November

Grants checked for eligibility,

sufficient information and vulnerable

applications

11 November- 15 November

Panel to assess all week 18 November 22 November (full time)

Panel assessment moderation 25 November 29 November

Panel Recommendation Reports

prepared by panel chairs

2 December 6 December

Delegate considers recommending

reports

9 December 20 December 2013

Letters of Offer Prepared From January 2014

Letters of Offer sent by Minister From January 2014

1.1 Total time commitment for panel membersEach application round will require approximately five days commitment for the assessment

process. Panel team members will need to be accessible to sign the panel recommendation

reports.

1.2 Community engagement feeMembers of the community, who are not participating on the panel as part of their usual

employment, are entitled to apply for the Community Services Directorate Community

Engagement Fee. This is a small payment to support the costs associated with their

participation. The Community Services Directorate Community Engagement Payment Policysets out eligibility and the level of support to panel members.


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The application form is included in the Attachments at the end of the guide. Note this policy

is being reviewed.

1.3 Transport assistanceThe Community Services Directorate will provide taxi vouchers to cover transport costs for

panel members who require transport assistance to attend panel meetings. Contact the

Panel Support Team on 6207 8980.

1.4 Administrative requirementsAll panel members must read and/or sign the following documents as part of their role on

the panel. This can be done at the Orientation Session on the first day of assessments.

Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest Agreement

Bowen Code of Conduct - Panel Members Declaration

For reference, these are included with the Attachments at the end of the guide.

1.5 Location of assessment areaDuring the assessment processes the panel will work in:

The Computer Training Lab and Ballarn One meeting room

Ground Floor

Nature Conservation House

Emu Bank, Belconnen

These rooms are co-located with a lounge and kitchen area. Accessible bathrooms are in the

foyer area of the ground floor.

1.6 Contact point for panel membersPanel members can contact the Panel Support Team on 6207 8980.

1.7 Conflict of Interest

A conflict of interest is a set of circumstances that creates a risk that professional judgment

or actions regarding a primary interest will be unduly influenced by a secondary interest (Lo

and Field (2009) and Thompson (1993).

While panel members will all sign Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest Agreement before

assessment begins, they will also be asked to consider conflict of interest in relation to any

application provided to them before assessment begins. This includes:

a panel members potential or perceived conflict that may relate to their personal orprofessional knowledge of a person who has applied for a grant and


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the potential conflict afforded the person who has applied, should a panel member

have access to that persons application.

Panel members will be asked to advise the panel chair if they know any person whose

application is included in their portfolio for assessment.

The nature and manner in which the person is known to the panel member will beconsidered by the chair to determine if a conflict of interest may be present. The chair will

also consider whether the panel members access to a persons personal information

contained in an application may represent an unreasonable intrusion into their privacy.

A clinical relationship is not considered to represent a conflict of interest.

A conflict of interest will be automatically declared if the panel member, in other than a

clinical service delivery role:

has a working relationship with a person who has applied for a grant or

works in an area that has immediate contact with the person.

If a conflict of interest is declared the panel member will not receive that persons

application for assessment.

1.7 Essential meetings for panel members

Before assessment begins

Panel members will be required to attend a four hour orientation session prior to beginning

to assess applications.

The agenda for this meeting will be:

introduction of members

overview of DisabilityCare in the ACT context

overview of the Enhanced Service Offer: promotion, information sessions and

assistance provided to people who have applied

Enhanced Service Offer assessment process and timeframes, complaints and

feedback process

eligibility and criterion for the different types of grants

run through on-line assessment process

information about allocation of applications to panel pairs

Enhanced Service Offer funding splits and how the funds will be allocated

the role of the Indivudal Planners and team leaders and contact details

what to do when there is not enough information in an application

flags for applicants identified as at risk or vulnerable

process for applications for exceptional requests

treatment of dissenting views

role of the Delegate

panel support team role and contacts; help numbers for SmartyGrants online system.

After the assessment

A two hour post assessment de-brief meeting will be held to:


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enable panel members to provide advice back about the process, tools, support and

information provided to them to undertake their role

consider ways the applications and assessment process may be improved for round

two

give the panel an overview of the outcome from the round ie data on successful and

unsuccessful request and categories requested

ensure panel members have any follow up support they need from their involvement

in the process. Individual de-briefing sessions can be arranged. Members are

encouraged to make use of the government Employment Assistance Program as

needed.

2. Intent of the Enhanced Service Offer

The funds for the Enhanced Service Offer have been allocated under an agreement between

the Australian and ACT Governments; to assist the ACT to:

fund additional services for people with disabilities

prepare for participation in the DisabilityCare launch

mitigate the risk associated with delivering a jurisdiction-wide launch and a whole-of-

system reform to disability service provision in the ACT

to ensure a smooth transition for clients in the ACT from 1 July 2014.

The Enhanced Service Offer will be delivered through a grants process that is intended to:

respond to priority unmet need while work is underway to prepare the ACT

community for the phased introduction of DisabilityCare; through individual funding

for enhanced services and supports which will improve peoples quality of life by

providing respite or a respite like effect for people with disability, their families and

other unpaid carers

assist people with disability, their families and other unpaid carers, to be aware of

DisabilityCare and to consider what it may mean for them. The ESO should provide

people with an opportunity to experience choice and control over the supports and

services they have in their life, to meet their needs

(through the provision of grants to individuals rather than via block funding to service

providers) to assist currently funded providers to consider and experience how

equipped their current business models and service offers are for DisabilityCare.

The process is an opportunity to inform further work to prepare the sector to transition to

DisabilityCare Australia.

3. About the panel

3.1 ResponsibilitiesThe panel:

is responsible for considering and rating each requested item, support or servicein each eligible application


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makes recommendations to the delegate about the priority of each application in

the categories of:

o Aids, Equipment and minor Modifications

o Quality of Life grants

o Flexible Supports and Services

must work within the guidelines and processes outlined in the Assessing Panel

Guide and the Application Guide.

will make recommendations to the delegate about applications that demonstrate

exceptional circumstances and combined submissions.

When making assessments, the panel will use the experience and skills of members,

individually and collectively, to ensure that its decisions in assessing applications are

equitable and justifiable in the public arena.

With the exception of Quality of Life grants which fulfil a different purpose, the panel will

only recommend reasonable and necessary supports and services consistent with each

persons likely support package under DisabilityCare.

The panel will alert the panel support team to people who are likely to be eligible for

assistance under DisabilityCare and who are currently not supported by the formal service

system so that they may be contacted and assisted. In addition the panel will identify

people, for follow up by the Individual Planners who:

receive core or vital supports and services from a non-recurrent source, and the

person is at risk when those supports cease

do not have sufficient recurrent supports and services

whose informal networks are not likely to be sustained without additional formalsupport prior their transition to DisabilityCare

have significant unmet need but are not eligible for an ESO grant, or what they

require cannot be provided via an ESO grant

3.2 Panel membershipMembership will be determined by the ACT Government through the ACT NDIS Taskforce

and with advice from relevant areas of government. Members will be selected for the broad

range of experience they will bring collectively and individually to the assessment process.

The panel will collectively have service delivery, policy and professional and personalexperience in related areas including the provision of therapy service, aids and equipment,

support services and the provision of services and supports to vulnerable people including

those with psychosocial disability and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The panel will include people with lived experience of disability, including psychosocial

disability.

3.3 Panel groupsPanel members will be assigned to panel groups. Four panel members will be assigned to

one of three panel groups:

Aids, equipment, minor modifications


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Quality of Life grants

Flexible supports and services

Panel members will be assigned to their group on the basis of their expertise and

qualifications. Each group will have a chair and work in pairs (referred to as panel pairs) for

the assessments.

3.4 Experience, skills and qualifications of panel group

Aids, equipment, minor modifications

These panel members will be people who work within existing ACT Government aids,

equipment and minor modification assistance schemes. This includes senior clinicians with

occupational therapy, speech therapy, physiotherapy skills.

Panel members in addition to ensuring recommendations are appropriate to the needs of

the person, will also provide advice to ensure:

that items requiring scripts are sourced from appropriate providers able to provide

any required post purchase support;

people are appropriately linked to services including the Independent Living Centre,

Therapy ACT, Rehabilitation Aged and Community Care and Service and ACT

Equipment Scheme (ACTES).

Quality of Life grant

These panel members will include people with disability including psychosocial disability who

are not applying for a quality of life grant and representatives from community

organisations.

Flexible supports and servicesThese panel members will include senior clinicians from government and community

providers and other people with expertise in the provision of respite and respite effect

services for people with disability, including those with psychological disability and high and

complex needs.

The panel will:

need to determine where a person is likely to be vulnerable now because their

supports are not sustainable

ensure that any possible ESO funding that becomes part of a persons total support

package is likely to be consistent with their future DisabilityCare support package, ie.

that a person will not be disadvantaged with the transition to DisabilityCare.

3.5 Support for the panel

Panel Support Team

The panel chairs will be supported by a Panel support team which is responsible for

following tasks:

Before assessment begins

enter paper-based applications into the SmartyGrants data base (this may be sub-

contracted to a data-entry service).

review all completed applications to confirm they meet eligibility criteria. formally advise people who do not meet the eligibility criteria and

who will be excluded from the Enhanced Service Offer process. This correspondence


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should clearly outline the grounds on which the person is not eligible and be signed

by the senior manager Contracts and Grants Unit.

contact and assist applicants who have not completed the online application fully or

correctly, or refer them to the Enhanced Service Planning team leader

refer potentially vulnerable people to the Enhanced Service Planning team leader.

If additional supports are established by the Individual Planners subsequent to the

application being assessed, the Panel support team will ensure the persons

application is updated.

sort applications into groups and with panel chairs, assign a portfolio of applications

to the panel pairs on the basis of members skills and expertise

manage arrangements for the panel to convene. This includes ensuring each panel

member has all the information they need to attend, special requirements are met,

venues booking are still in place, IT is arranged, catering booked etc.

set up meetings including the Orientation and Debrief; agendas set, information

prepared including Community Participation fee forms, signing of Confidentially

Agreements, and adjustments are made to panel members portfolios to manage to

any identified or potential conflict of interest.

for round two, ensure that any highly prioritised applications (unallocated) that were

confirmed to be transferred to round two, are included.

During the assessing phase

monitor panel progress and provide assistance including to adjust workload, to

ensure the set timeframes are met

provide conduit between the panel members and Individual Planners

support panel participation in the process. This may include assisting with transport

issues (taxi vouchers), accessibility issues, catering, community engagement

payment

After the assessing phase

draft recommending reports with the chairs and coordinate members signatures and

movement of the recommending Minute through the delegate

unsuccessful letters are prepared from SmartyGrants system and for delegates

signature, quality control

draft Ministerial Brief on outcome of process including letters to successful for

Minister

ensure correspondence to people is correct and sent.

This includes the preparation of all Letters of Offer and any relevant documents

manage Letters of Acceptance and payment

prepare Service Funding Agreement variations and advise appropriate contract

manager (including from Health Directorate) of any variations

monitor and manage Acquittal of Grants and return of unexpended funds

monitor and prepare reports on survey monkey feedback from Enhanced Service

Offer applications and service providers.

Individual Planners

An Individual Planning Team has been established to support the Enhanced Service Offer

grants process. This team of six Individual Planners and a team manager will work to assistpeople with disability, including those with psychosocial disability to identify their

community support needs, develop a whole of life/goal focused and strengths-based plan;


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and to link to and make best use of the formal and informal supports available to in

preparation for the phased introduction of DisabilityCare Australia in the ACT.

3.6 The role of the panel chairsThere will be three chairs to support the assessing panel to work in groups. The chairs will:

be directors (senior managers will be considered depending on their experience) provide orientation to panel members on their role and responsibilities

facilitate the orientation meeting

facilitate the debriefing meeting

facilitate the assessment process

ensure consistent consideration and application of criteria

ensure processes and recommendations align with ACT Government policy decisions

make a final decision if two panel members are not able to agree on the priority of a

particular application

ensure people flagged as vulnerable or at risk, are referred to the Disability ACT

Individual Planner team leader

ensure all exceptional applications are referred with a recommendation, to the

delegate

make recommendations about the treatment of combined applications

make recommendations for funding in accordance with the budget and as

appropriate adjust the notional budget categories in each round to best meet with

priority recommendations.

3.7 The role of panel pairs in consolidating scoresDuring assessment, Panel members will work in pairs. Panel pairs will:

moderate their ratings

discuss any rating with a discrepancy of two or more points

agree and lodge a consolidated score for the applications in their portfolio (this may

be an average or a consensus score).

Record the rationale for their ratings

Record their recommendation (for example the item/s to be funded, the need to

offer follow up support or information to the person, assessment or prescription; and

areas of concern and/or any caveats around their recommendations).

4. The assessment process

4.1 Timeframes for the assessment

Round one applications need to be completed by 29 August 2013

People will be advised of the outcome of their applications from 23 September 2013

Round 2 applications need to be completed by 22 November 2013.

People will be advised of the outcome of their applications from January 2014.


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4.2 About the grants categoriesPlease refer to the Enhanced Service Offer Application Guide.

4.3 Initial assessmentInitial assessment is done by the panel support team before the panel meets for full

assessment of all applications. This process will:

check eligibility of people (ie residency , age, disability)

ensure that all applications have sufficient information for further assessment

categorise all applications in preparation for assessment by the panel

o Aids, equipment, minor modifications

o Quality of Life grants

o Flexible supports and services

Assign applications to the three groups for assessment and rating against criteria

Notes for panel about initial assessment

If a panel member does not agree that a person is eligible they will indicate this onthe application assessment form and notify the panel chair.

If not enough information is provided in the application the panel support team may

contact the person or their nominee and/or refer them (with their consent) to the

Individual Planning team.

If a person has indicated they do not receive any formal supports (other than for QOL

grant applications) the panel support team will contact them or their nominee and/or

refer the person (with their consent) to the Individual Planning team who can provide

them with information about options, supports and services.

People who are vulnerable now

The initial assessment process may also identify people who:

receive core or vital supports and services from a non-recurrent source

rely on informal networks that are not likely to be sustained without additional

formal supports prior to their transition to DisabilityCare Australia

do not have sufficient recurrent supports and services

have significant unmet need but are not eligible for an ESO grant, or what they

require cannot be provided via an ESO grant.

In these circumstances the person will be referred by the panel chair to the Individual

Planner team leader who will ensure that:

the person is referred (with their consent) to any existing supports and services

currently available within the service system.

the person is identified for priority referral to DisabilityCare Australia.

4.4 How the assessment will work

Day 1

Orientation session (see page 3 for more detail).

Panel members need to read the Bowen Code of Conductand sign Panel Members

Declaration andthe Confidentiality Declaration and Conflict of Interest Agreement.


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Introduction and instructions about SmartyGrants (the grants online system) and

information about the assessment process.

Reading and assessing of applications will all be done online so panel members will

be using SmartyGrants to complete their tasks.

The panel will have a chance to become more familiar with the assessment process

and how it works by assessing a number of applications as a group. This will ensure

that Panel members have a consistent understanding of the intent of each criteria

and rating system and how the online system works.

Panel members are assigned to one of the three panel groups. Panel members will

work in pairs

Panel pairs will be allocated a portfolio of applications.

Panel members will review the names on applications in their portfolio of

applications and declare if they have prior knowledge of a person.

If the panel member has a conflict of interest, or there is potential for a conflict to be

perceived in relation to a person, they should state the nature of the conflict to the

panel chair and will not be involved in decision making related to that persons

application.

Panel members will not access information in applications where a conflict of interest

has been cited.

Day 2-5 Assessing applications

During the assessment process:

Panel members will individually assess applications and record ratings and rationale

(see section 5 scoring against the criteria) using the SmartyGrants system

Panel members will meet at regular intervals with their panel pair to ensure

consistency in assessment of applications

Panel members complete their assessments and meet with their panel pair to

consolidate their scoring of applications assigned to them

Panel pairs meet with their panel chairs to review the scores against each

application. Panel chairs will then make recommendations to the delegate about

allocating grant funding. This is done through a summary report from theSmartyGrants system.

Minute/s about recommendations to delegate will be drafted by the panel support

team.

The delegate will consider the panels report and recommendations to confirm grant

allocations.

The delegate signs off on recommendations.

4.5 What panel members must considerWhen assessing applications and making recommendations, panel members must consider:

consistency with DisabilityCare/NDIS principles


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whether there is sufficient information to make informed and appropriate decisions

around funding

Consistency with DisabilityCare/NDIS principles

It is important that recommendations take into account:

the persons current supports and services so that the total package is likely to be

considered reasonable and necessary in the context of DisabilityCare/NDIS. Forexample additional respite should not be allocated as a replacement for

accommodation support if that is what is actually required.

Does the request seem reasonable given the age or circumstance of the person.

Reasonable and Necessary as defined under the NDIS ACT 2013

(34) Reasonable and necessary supports

For the purposes of specifying, in a statement of participant supports, the general supports that will be

provided, and the reasonable and necessary supports that will be funded, the CEO must be satisfied of all of

the following in relation to the funding or provision of each such support:

(a) the support will assist the participant to pursue the goals, objectives and aspirations

included in the participants statement of goals and aspirations;

(b) the support will assist the participant to undertake activities, so as to facilitate the

participants social and economic participation;

(c) the support represents value for money in that the costs of the support are reasonable,

relative to both the benefits achieved and the cost of alternative support;

(d) the support will be, or is likely to be, effective and beneficial for the participant, having

regard to current good practice;

(e) the funding or provision of the support takes account of what it is reasonable to expect

families, carers, informal networks and the community to provide;(f) the support is most appropriately funded or provided through the National Disability

Insurance Scheme, and is not more appropriately funded or provided through other

general systems of service delivery or support services offered by a person, agency or

body, or systems of service delivery or support services offered:

(i) as part of a universal service obligation; or

(ii) in accordance with reasonable adjustments required under a law

dealing with discrimination on the basis of disability;

(g) the support is not prescribed by the National Disability Insurance Scheme rules as a

support that will not be funded or provided under the National Disability Insurance

Scheme;

(h) the funding of the support complies with the methods or criteria (if any) prescribed by theNational Disability Insurance Scheme rules for deciding the reasonable and necessary

supports that will be funded under the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Prioritised applications

The following people will be prioritised above people of the same rating. People:

who are not in receipt of any formal supports services

who are Aboriginal or Torres Straits Islander

who live with other family members with disability

who live with a family member, or other unpaid carer, who is over the age of 65

who live in residential aged care.

have a psychosocial disability who are parent to, and reside with children or young

people under the age of 16


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who are a refugee or an humanitarian entrant

Following re-priorisation as above, if the re-prioritised applications still exceed the resources

available the panel may reassess prioritised applications again, against the same criterion

until the panel chairs are is satisfied they can offer a justifiable suite of recommendations to

the Delegate within the funds available.

What is meant by people who are not in receipt of any formal support services

The intent is to enable people to be prioritised over others of the same rating, if they are not

currently in receipt of ongoing disability services, Home and Community Care program

services or mental health services that they could reasonably be expected to eligible for

through DisabilityCare.

Unfunded Prioritised Applications may be transferred to Round Two

The chairs will decide which, if any unsuccessful, applications should be transferred to the

second round. Only people rated as being of the highest priority such as to enable a

reasonable assessment to be made that the application may be likely to receive an allocation

in the second round, should be transferred.

Applications transferred to the second round will take the first round scoring with them.

5. Scoring against the criteria

Panel members will first consider the threshold criterion: this is one single criterion must be

highly demonstrated (scoring 4 or above) for the application to be further assessed.

All applications will be collated numeratively in a report for each of the three grant

categories.The spread of scores will indicate the range of scores which will potentially be

funded (given the available funds). For example it may be that once all applications

receiving a maximum score of 24 are recommended for funding; that there are sufficient

funds to allocate to those ranked 22 and 23.

5.1 Aids, Equipment and Minor Modifications

Threshold question

The requested item reduces the impact of the disability on the persons life by supporting the

person to have enhanced independence and personal control in their physical environment.

This may include enabling them to use their physical environment; it may reduce existing

risks to the persons family or other unpaid carers.

Supplementary criteria only for applications rated 4 or above for the Threshold question.

The requested item increases the opportunity for the person to meaningfully engage

in aspects of community life; this may include the financial, social and recreational

aspects.

The requested item supports the wellbeing of the person. This may include providingthem with the opportunity to perform different social roles; or to increase the

persons informal networks, or support and maintain relationships.


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The requested item is an effective and reasonable response to the persons needs

and circumstances.

Rating Aids, equipment and minor modifications criteria1 The criterion is not met at all

The request may be assessed to have a detrimental outcome for the person

The request is not be consistent with what the person would reasonably

expect to receive under the NDIS (refer to Reasonable and Necessary

Principle).

2 The criterion is demonstrated in some ways or the application meets some

elements of the criterion

The request may limit or reduce the persons opportunities for inclusion or

skill development The request may not reflect the age, stage or interests of the person.

3 The criterion is demonstrated in some ways or the application meets some

elements of the criterion

There are clear benefits for the person.

4 The criterion is well demonstrated

There are clear benefits for the person

There may be benefits for the persons family, unpaid carers or other

informal supports and networks.

5 The criterion is demonstrated to a very high level

There are demonstrated flow on benefits for the person and their family,

unpaid carers or other informal supports and networks around them

The application demonstrates some element of risk* which would be

addressed or substantially alleviated by the request

The persons current arrangements are vulnerable to breakdown.

6 There are demonstrated flow on benefits for the person and their family,

unpaid carers or other informal supports and networks around them

The criterion is met to an exceptionally high level and an exceptional level

of benefit, need and priority is demonstrated

The application demonstrates significant risk* factors which would be

addressed or alleviated by the request

The persons current arrangements are not sustainable without immediate

additional supports.

*risk: to physical safety (this may include to the persons family or other unpaid supports); to

health and wellbeing, of isolation or social exclusion.


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5.2 Quality of Life Grants

Threshold question

The request has the potential to enhance the persons quality of life. This may include

enabling the person to be involved in something other people might ordinarily do, but the

person may not have been able to. The enhanced quality of life benefits of the item may

extend to family members or other unpaid carers.


The request increases the persons opportunity to meaningfully engage in aspects of

community life: including financial, social and recreational.

The request supports the wellbeing of the person. This may include by:

o reducing a detrimental impact on the persons family or other unpaid carers.

o enhancing the persons confidence.

o providing the opportunity for the person to perform different social roles.

o providing opportunities to increase or support informal relationships.

The request has the potential to enable the person to build skills and experience. Therequest may support them to have enhanced independence and personal control and

reduce the impact of the disability on the persons life.

Rating Criteria Quality of Life

1 The criterion is not met at all

The request may be assessed to have a detrimental outcome for the

person.

2 One element of the criterion is met, or the application meets some

elements The item may limit or reduce the persons opportunities for inclusion or

skill development

The item may be reasonably available through other avenues.3 Some elements of the criterion are met

The request may be assessed to provide some benefit to the person and

their family, unpaid carers and informal networks.

4 Most elements of the criterion are demonstrated

Clear benefits are evident for the person

There may be flow on benefits for the person and their family, unpaid

carers and other informal supports and networks around them.5 All elements of the criterion are demonstrated to a very high level

There are flow on benefits for the person and their family, unpaid carers

and other informal supports and networks around them

The request may represent a unique or innovative response to a need.

6 All elements of the criterion are demonstrated to an exceptional level

There are significant benefits for the applicant and their family, unpaid

carers and other informal supports and networks around them; and

The request may represent a unique or innovative response to a need.


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5.3 Flexible Supports and Services

Threshold question

The request increases the opportunity for the person to meaningfully engage in aspects of

community life: including financial, social and recreational. (For parents with a disability this

criterion may include supporting them by enabling their child to engage in community life).


The request reduces the impact of disability on the persons social networks; and

helps to support or maintain the persons family or other informal relationships.

The request is an effective and reasonable response to the persons needs and

circumstances and represents reasonable value for money.

Rating Criteria Flexible supports and services

1 The criterion is not met at all The request may be assessed to be of limited positive outcome for a person

The request would not be consistent with what the person would

reasonably expect to receive under the NDIS (refer to Reasonable and

Necessary Principle)

The request does not reflect the persons age, life stage, interests or wishes

2 One element of the criterion is met, or application meets some elements

The item may limit or reduce the persons opportunities for inclusion or

skill development.

3 The application meets some elements of the criterion

The request may be assessed to have some benefit to the person andpotentially to their family and other informal supports.

4 The application meets most elements of the criterion

Clear benefits are evident for the person

The request is appropriate to the age and life stage, and reflects the

interests and wishes of the person

There are demonstrated flow-on benefits for the person and their family

and other informal supports and networks around them.

5 All elements of the criterion are demonstrated to a very high level

There are flow-on benefits for the person and their family and other

informal supports and networks around them

The application demonstrates some element of risk* which would be

addressed or substantially alleviated by the request or

The persons current arrangements are vulnerable to breakdown.6 All elements of the criterion are demonstrated to an exceptional level.

There are significant benefits for the person and their family and other

informal supports and networks around them

The application demonstrates significant risk* factors which would be

addressed or alleviated by the request

The persons current arrangements are not sustainable without immediate

additional supports.


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*risk: to physical safety (this may include to the persons family or other unpaid supports), to

health and wellbeing, of isolation or social exclusion.


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6. Documents

In this section: Grants Panel Member forms and examples of documents

relating to the grants


Grant Panel MemberDeclaration

I (name) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

of (address) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

agree to abide by the Grant Assessing Panel Guide and the Bowen Declaration Code ofConduct (as detailed in Attachment A) in conducting my responsibilities as a member of the

Enhanced Service Offer Grants Panel.

__________________________ _______________

(signature) (date)

Witness:

__________________________ _______________

(signature) (date)


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Code of conduct (Bowen Report principles)

The Report of the Committee of Inquiry: Public Duty and Private Interest(1979), known as

the Bowen Report, sets out the principles that underpin public servants' obligations todisclose and manage conflicts. The report recommended a code of conduct, which was later

endorsed by the Government. The code is set out below:

1. An office-holder should perform the duties of his office impartially, uninfluenced by

fear or favour.

2. An office-holder should be frank and honest in official dealings with colleagues.

3. An office-holder should avoid situations in which his private interest, whether

pecuniary or otherwise, conflicts or might reasonably be thought to conflict with his

public duty.

4. When an office-holder possesses, directly or indirectly, an interest which conflicts or

might reasonably be thought to conflict with his public duty, or improperly to

influence his conduct in the discharge of his responsibilities in respect of some

matter with which he is concerned, he should disclose that interest according to the

prescribed procedures. Should circumstances change after an initial disclosure has

been made, so that new or additional facts become material, the office-holder should

disclose the further information.

5. When the interests of members of his immediate family are involved, the office-

holder should disclose those interests, to the extent that they are known to him.

6. When an office-holder (other than a Member of Parliament) possesses an interest

which conflicts or might reasonably be thought to conflict with the duties of his office

and such interest is not prescribed as a qualification for that office, he should

forthwith divest himself of that interest, secure his removal from the duties in

question, or obtain the authorisation of his superior or colleagues to continue to

discharge the duties.

7. An officeholder should not use information obtained in the course of official duties to

gain directly or indirectly a pecuniary advantage for himself or for any other person.

8. An office-holder should not:

a. solicit or accept from any person any remuneration or benefit for the

discharge of the duties of his office over and above the official remuneration;

b. solicit or accept any benefit, advantage or promise of future advantage,

whether for himself, his immediate family or any business concern or trustwith which he is associated from persons who are in, or seek to be in, any

contractual or special relationship with government;

c. except as may be permitted under the rules applicable to his office, accept

any gift, hospitality or concessional travel offered in connection with the

discharge of the duties of his office.

9. An office-holder should be scrupulous in his use of public property and services, and

should not permit their misuse by other persons.

10.An office-holder should not allow the pursuit of his private interest to interfere with

the proper discharge of his public duties.


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The inclusion of the Code of Conduct in the PS Act in 1999 reinforced the principles

underlying the Bowen Code. Source: APS Values and Code of Conduct in practice:http://www.apsc.gov.au/values/conductguidelines.htm


Grant Panel Member

Confidentiality and conflict of interest agreement

The work of the panel member includes disclosure and discussion of highly confidential and

sensitive information in relation to people who have disability and their families. All

members of the Panel are bound to not disclose any information to which they are privy and

are not entitled to distribute, copy and share or disclose any written information relating to

the work of the panel.

Panel members are required to declare any potential conflict of interest to the chair of the

panel at the commencement or during their term if a potential conflict arises.

The following Agreement is to be signed by all members of the Enhanced Service Offer

Panel.

Agreement

I, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . declare that to the

best knowledge there is no conflict of interest which would arise from the membership of

the Enhanced Service Offer Grants Panel. Should a potential conflict arise during the term of

my membership I undertake to notify the panel chair of that possible conflict.

In fulfilling my duties as a member of the panel undertake not to disclose any information

gained from the reports to or any person not member of the Enhanced Service Offer Grants

Panel.

__________________________ _______________

(signature) (date)

Witness:


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__________________________ _______________

(signature) (date)


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Letter of offer

Name

StreetSuburb State Post Code

Dear

Re: Enhanced Service Offer Name

Thank you for your application for a grant under the 2013-2014 Enhanced Service Offer.

A Panel of government and community representatives has reviewed all applications and hasrecommended offering you the following:

Item Recommended Funding

Total Grant Offer

Please find attached three documents related to this offer:

A grant Acceptance Form (ESO 4)

A Statement by Supplier Form

AnAcquittal Form (ESO 8)


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How to Accept the Offer guide

Step 1

1) Complete the Grant Acceptance Form; this form advises Disability ACT that you wish

to accept the funds. Only the person who has applied or (if applicable) their legal guardian

may sign the form.

2) Complete the Statement by a Supplier; this form will enable Disability ACT to make

the payment to you without deducting taxation. On this form you are considered to be the

supplier, please write the applicants name in the name of supplier section.

In relation to Section A3 please mark with an X the box entitled The supply is made by an

individual or partnership without a reasonable expectation of profit or gain.

3) Return the completed and signed Grant Acceptance and Statement by a Supplier

forms to:


c/o Contracts and Grants Unit (CGU)

Community Services Directorate

GPO Box 158CANBERRA ACT 2601

Please note you have a maximum of 30 days to accept and return both the Grant Acceptance

Form and the Statement of Supplier form to CGU. After this time, this offer is no longer valid

and is withdrawn. Withdrawn offers will be re-allocated to the next ranked grant applicant.

The Community Services Directorate will make an EFTPOS payment to your bank account in

accordance with your payment advice in your Grant Acceptance Form. Payments are usually

made within three weeks after receiving the completed Grant Acceptance Forms.

After you receive the funding:Step 2

1) You are required to spend the funds within the 12 month period. Please retain

receipts for what you spend.

2) When you have spent the funds, you are required to complete the Grant Acquittal

Form (enclosed), which details how the funds were spent, send the Grant Acquittal Form

and copies of your receipts to:


c/o Contracts and Grants Unit (CGU)

Community Services DirectorateGPO Box 158

CANBERRA ACT 2601

Please note acquittal must be done within 30 days of expenditure or no later than 12

months from the date of Offer.

If you no longer require the grant:

Please advise the Contracts and Grants Unit within 30 days if you no longer require the

grant. The funds may then be reallocated to next ranked grant applicant. Please contact the

ESO Administrator on 6207 8980 [email protected] you have any queries regarding

this Letter of Offer.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Acquittal Form ESO Form 8

To be completed within 30 days of expenditure or no later than 12 months from the date of

Offer.

I,Applicants Name ofAddress wish to acquit the grant from Community Services

Directorate for:

Aids, Equipments and minor Modifications

Quality of Life items

Flexible Support and Services

I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT:

Funding of $_________was spent for the purpose specified in the Letter of Offer.

I have attached documents, e.g.: receipts, as evidence of the expenditure as required.

Dated this..................................day of ...............................................20__

Signed: ................................................................................

Community Organisation/Third Party Confirmation (If applicable):

I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT:

Funding of $_________was spent for the purpose specified in the Letter of Offer.

Name: ___________________________________________________________________

Signed: ______________________________ Date: _______________________________

Position/Occupation: _______________________________________________________

Agency or Organisation:_____________________________________________________

Phone:__________________________ Email:___________________________________

Please complete this form when funds are spent, make a copy for your records and then

send the originals to:


c/o Contract and Grants Unit

Community Service Directorate

GPO Box 158

CANBERRA ACT 2601


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Acceptance Form ESO Form 4(To be returned within 30 days of date of Offer)

I, Name ofAddress wish to accept the following grant under the Enhanced Service

Offer.

ItemRecommended

Allocation

$

$

$

$

$

Total Grant Offer $

I understand that it is my responsibility to use the funds only for this purpose, and

that if I no longer require the grant I will return these funds to the Contracts and

Grants Unit, ACT Community Services Directorate.

I will complete the Acquittal Form (ESO Form 8) and return it to the Contracts and

Grants Unit with any unspent funds and receipts as evidence of expenditure, within30 days of expenditure or no later than 12 months from the date of Offer.

________________________________________________

Signature of the grant recipients

________________________________________________

Name (Printed)

Dated this ______ (day) of __________ (month) _____________ (year)

Authorisation (if not signed by the applicant)

I have the authority to provide these details on behalf of the person named above.

________________________________________________

Signature of the grant recipients authorised representative

________________________________________________

Name (Printed) and relationship to the applicant

Dated this ____ (day) of __________ (month) _____________ (year)


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Payment Advice:

A. Nominated Bank Account

I wish to receive the grant and to manage the grant myself. Please make the payment

via:

Electronic Fund Transfer, to my nominated bank account.

Please supply bank details

Bank

Branch

Bank Account Name

BSB Number

Bank Account Number

Or

B. Nominate a Community Organisation (Agency)

I wish to nominate an organisation to receive and manage the grant on my

behalf.

My preferred provider has agreed to the arrangement and has completed a

Funded Support Plan (ESO Form 5).

Name of organisation and contact

person

Postal Address and telephone contacts

or

C. Assistance to engage a Community Organisation (Agency)

I wish to accept the grant and would like assistance to identify the best way for me to

manage the grant.

Or

D. Nominate a Third Party


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I wish to nominate a Third Party to receive and manage the grant on my behalf.

The third Party has agreed to this arrangement.

Third Party Name

Contact Person

Postal Address

Telephone Contact

Email Address

Document checklist to be returned to Community Service Directorate.

Acceptance Form(ESO Form 4)

Statement by Supplier Form

Funded Support Plan(ESO Form 5), if nominating an organisation to receive the grant.

Please return all forms to:


c/o Contracts and Grants UnitCommunity Services Directorate

GPO Box 158

CANBERRA ACT 2601


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Treating Therapist Initial Application Support Checklist

Enhanced Service Offer Applications for aids, equipment, environmental adaptations, minor

modifications for Privately Owned Homes or Vehicles.

This form only needs to be completed by the applicants current treating therapist and ifthe

application is for an item which may increase the persons independence and/or reduce

their reliance on paid or unpaid supports.

Applicants are also able to apply for a Quality of Life Grant for items which may not have a

therapeutic benefit but which may enhance the applicants quality of life. Therapist

confirmation is not needed for those requests.

This form will provide initial verification that the items is generally appropriate for your

client to enable the assessing Panel to make an in principle recommendation. Further

assessment or clinical assistance may be a requirement of funding depending on the item

requested.

Name of Client: DOB

Diagnosis or support need related to the requested item:

Describe the Item Requested:

Please tick relevant box YES NO

Does the item appropriately meet the functional needs of the applicant

Is the item available through ACTES/or other Government program?

Will the person require further assessment before purchasing the item?

If Yes, who should do this assessment/prescription? DETAIL

Therapy ACT Speech Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist

Community Aged Rehabilitation Service Speech Pathologist, Occupational

Therapist, PhysiotherapistSupplier:

Other:

What is the generally expected price range for this item:

Name of Clinician: Signature:

Date: Contact Details:

Organisation:


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