North Metro Region

Diversity Planning Summary

Report 2018-19

Home and Community Care Program for

Younger People (HACC PYP) and

Commonwealth Home Support

Programme (CHSP) funded programmes

MARCH 2019 LISA TRIBUZIO, DIVERSITY ADVISOR, NORTH METRO SECTOR DEVELOPMENT TEAM

Diversity planning is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and the Victorian Government. Although funding for this report has been provided by the Australian Government, the material contained herein does not necessarily represent the views or policies of the Australian Government. Further information can be found in the CHSP manual as well as your funding and service agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services.

Introduction

This report is an overview of the 2018-2019 Diversity Plans submitted by providers in the North Metro region of Melbourne who are funded under the Commonwealth Home Support programme and/or the Home and Community Care program for Younger People. The report also draws on information and data contained in the January 2018 reports submitted by service providers following reviews of their 2016-2017 Diversity Plans.

North Metro Demographic area

The 7 LGAs for the North Metro region are:

City of Darebin

City of Yarra

City of Whittlesea

City of Hume

City of Banyule

Shire of Nillumbik

City of Moreland

Source: Australian Government Department of Health: Aged Care Planning Regions displaying Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2s)

2018, https://agedcare.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/05_2018/vic_207_northern_metro_1of2.pdf

The Commonwealth Home Support Programme

The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) provides funding for a broad range of entry-level support services to assist frail older people aged 65 years and over (50 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) and who have functional limitations (including cognitive), to remain living independently at home and in their community. CHSP services are delivered on a short-term, episodic or ongoing basis, with a strong focus on activities that support independence and social connectedness and taking into account each person’s individual goals, preferences and choices. (CHSP Manual, 2018, Page 1)

The Home and Community Care Program for Younger People

The HACC Program for Younger People (HACC PYP) provides services for younger people with disabilities and their carers. Younger people are defined as those aged under 65 and aged under 50 for Aboriginal people. Some of these clients have transferred to the National Disability Insurance Scheme as has rolled out in Victoria over 2016 – 2019. The HACC Program for Younger People provides basic support and maintenance services to help people with disabilities remain living at home as independently as possible. (Victorian Home and Community Care Program Manual, 2013)

Diversity planning

Diversity Plans are a requirement for both CHSP and HACC-PYP funded agencies.

CHSP providers that were not previous Victorian HACC providers are encouraged to participate in diversity planning however it is not a requirement.

Diversity planning and practice is a strategic population planning initiative that supports and encourages service delivery that is responsive to and respectful of the specific characteristics of the person seeking services.

Diversity planning is underpinned by principles that seek to achieve:

• equitable access to services by those eligible, regardless of their diversity or disadvantage

• a respectful and responsive approach to planning services that acknowledges the community’s, groups and/or individual’s uniqueness and complexity of need

• consideration of diversity as core business, and as central to strategic planning and leadership.

(Strengthening Diversity Planning and Practice, Dept of Health, Dec 2011)

The National Aged Care Diversity Framework

Source: National Aged Care Diversity Framework, 2017, Page 1

For CHSP providers this cycle, the Diversity plans were linked to the National Aged Care Diversity Framework.

Released in December 2017, the Framework seeks to embed diversity in the design and delivery of aged care, and support actions to address perceived or actual barriers to consumers accessing safe, equitable and quality aged care, while enabling consumers and carers to be partners in this process. (Aged Care Diversity Framework, 2017).

The Framework supports and extends upon the actions and initiatives undertaken by the Australian Government and the aged care sector to build an inclusive, respectful, and person centred aged care system (Aged Care Diversity Framework, 2017).

Providers were required to align their plans with the framework based on the six outcomes for consumers. There was an even spread of actions for each National Aged Care Diversity Framework Outcomes for consumers.

Accessible care and support

15%

Adopting systemic approaches to planning and

implementation18%

Making Informed Choices

16%

Meeting the needs of the most vulnerable

19%

Respectful and inclusive services

19%

Supporting a proactive and flexible

system13%

Outcomes for Consumers

Diversity Advisor support to providers

Diversity planning is supported by the Diversity Advisor from the North Metro Sector Development team by way of resources, diversity planning workshops, consultations, forums, contact visits and e-bulletins. The North Metro Diversity profile 2018-2019 resource created by the North Metro Diversity Advisor was well received and used by providers to collate their population data and assist with formulating their actions.

The North Metro Diversity resource webpage was compiled this round to assist providers with their plans. In addition, five Diversity planning workshops and one to one consultations were conducted and facilitated by the Diversity Advisor. All providers received email support.

Diversity focus areas

Providers were required to report objectives and actions against the diversity focus areas as outlined in the CHSP Programme Manual and the Victorian HACC Program Manual .

The Commonwealth Home Support Program Special Needs Groups

The Diversity focus areas (referred to as special needs groups) outlined in the CHSP Manual, 2018:

• People from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds

• People who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds (ATSI)

• People who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex (LGBTI)

• People who are financially or socially disadvantaged

• People who are homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless

• People who are veterans of the Australian Defence force or an allied defence force including the spouse, widow or widower of a veteran

• People who are Care Leavers (which includes Forgotten Australians, Former Child Migrants and Stolen Generations

• Parents separated from children by forced adoption or removal

• People who live in rural and remote areas

(CHSP Manual, 2018 Section 1.2.11 Page 13) The CHSP recognises the following special needs groups, which align with those identified under the Aged Care Act 1997, however acknowledges this is not an exhaustive list and there are other groups such as people with a disability, people with mental health problems and mental illness and people living with cognitive impairment including dementia

The Home and Community Care Program for Younger People Special Needs groups

Diversity focus areas (referred to as special needs groups) outlined in the Victorian Home and Community Care Program Manual 2013:

• People from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds

• People from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds

• People with dementia

• People living in isolated and remote areas People experiencing financial disadvantage (including people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness)

(Victorian Home and Community Care Program Manual, 2013, Page 66)

Diversity planning also includes the characteristics within and across these groups and seeks to address other characteristics that may be a barrier to accessing services such as age, socioeconomic status, gender, faith, spirituality and those who identify as LGBTI

Summary Overview for North Metro Region

Themes emerging

In this cycle a total of 490 actions were submitted across all plans. This Diversity planning cycle saw similar patterns from the last cycle in terms of focus areas in that People from CALD backgrounds and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People were the most common focus areas. Care Leavers and Parents Separated from their Children by Forced Adoption or Removal had a slight increase from last cycle. This may be due to the North Metro Forgotten Australians forum run earlier in 2018. In saying this, the percentage for these two focus areas were low suggesting that community education and awareness raising may be needed. There was a significant increase in financially and socially disadvantaged in this cycle. This focus area may need to be further explored for the North Metro region.

A slight increase in actions relating to Veterans this cycle may have been due to the attendance of local council staff at the Diversity series network created by the Diversity Advisor since mid-2018. This network also saw the development of the seven local councils doing separate and more detailed plans after support was provided during this network.

There also seemed to be an increase in the actions that had an intersectional approach to diversity and this is reflective of what is emerging across the diversity field in other sectors. For example, whole of agency approaches to inclusive practices such as diversity calendars or whole of agency diversity plans.

Areas for further growth

The North Metro region diversity plan actions indicated a need for further discussion and work in the field of financial disadvantage and those at risk of homelessness and further work in the development of diversity networks where service providers can share knowledge and support each other’s work in this area. Further work is needed for those focus groups who had a lower action in this cycle being rural/remote, care leavers, parents separated from their children by forced adoption and removal and veterans. In relation to staff professional development, the Diversity adviser will continue to consult with providers regarding the needs for the region and respond through either supporting the connection with the Swinburne courses for community care workers training or through the development of regional workshops.

Conclusions The 2018-2019 Diversity planning cycle saw innovative actions emerge. The introduction of the National Aged Care Diversity Framework added value to the plans and gave providers a framework to work towards a more accessible and equitable CHSP and HACC-PYP programs and services.

Future Directions Further consultations with providers by the North Metro Diversity advisor with the North Metro Wellness and Reablement consultant are planned throughout the planning cycle to gather more detail around how to support the implementation of actions and provide advice and relevant regional responses.

5 Planning workshops

WHOLE OF AGENCY APPROACH

The 2018-2019 Diversity planning cycle encouraged agencies to take a whole of agency approach. A whole of agency approach promotes an integrated approach to diversity and inclusion, so that diversity is embedded throughout the culture of the organisation promoting sustainability. This cycle saw 35 of 41 (100%) of agencies indicate adopting a whole of organisation approach to diversity planning.

Some of the ways in which a whole of agency approaches were adopted amongst agencies included:

• Consultation and review by senior leadership

• The plan being shared with Organisational Development who uses it as part of a knowledge and skill sharing approach

• The plan being created in consultation with staff from programs involved in delivering services funded by HACC PYP and CHSP, including all Allied Health Services and Volunteer Coordination Services; Health Promotion Teams; Diversity Leads and Quality and Safety Committee

• The plan’s development being integrated with other strategic Client Directed Care projects

• The plan is embedded into the organisational planning cycle

• Diversity plan actions are embedded within all team plans for action

Diversity Focus Areas by Agency Type

parents separated from children by

forced adoption or removal

7%

people from culturally and

linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds

24%

people living with dementia

8%

Care Leavers8%

people who are financially or

socially disadvantaged

10%

people who are homeless or are at risk of becoming

homeless12%

people who are lesbian, gay,

bisexual, transgender or intersex (LGBTI)

8%

Veterans7%

people who identify as Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander backgrounds

16%

Health/Nursing service focus areas for 2018-2019

Diversity Focus Area Summary of Actions

People from Cultural and Linguistically diverse (CALD) groups

Source:https://www.fortisconsulting.com.au/care-older-cald-migrants-say-informed-aged-care-november-6th-2017/

There were 117 actions supporting people who are from CALD backgrounds. This is an increase from the previous planning cycle. Actions included:

• Staff training both online and face to face about cultural competency and use of interpreters

• Gathering language and cultural diversity of staff to ascertain if staff diversity is reflective of the diversity of the client population

• Gathering and reviewing ABS data on cultural diversity

• Partnerships (ethno-specific organisations, ethnic radio and newspapers)

• Engaging Access and Support workers to support CALD groups

• Updating resources that are culturally inclusive and in relevant languages

• Bilingual workers and professional resources to link clients with services and staff who speak the relevant language if that client or client group

• Translated My Aged Care materials

• Policy development regarding use of interpreters and language services

• Consumer engagement strategy and consumer panels to improve service access for CALD groups

• Acknowledging cultural and faith days

• Targeted recruitment strategies which highlight language and cultural diversity

• Client information sessions such as My Aged Care, transport and health information sessions

• Creating welcoming spaces for CALD consumers

• Partner with ECCV Speak my language ethnic radio program to present at all of

Service Delivery meeting

• Develop an Arabic Aged and Disability network

People who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

Source: http://bettersystembetterhealthbsphn.engagementhq.com/indigenous-community

There were 98 actions supporting people who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. This is an increase from the previous planning cycle. Actions included:

• Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) policy either in its development or continuity

• Training across all levels of staff including Board

• Partnerships with Aboriginal led organisations

• Elder’s consultation and meetings

• Celebrate significant days and celebrate culture (e.g. Close the Gap, Koori Carers week, National Sorry Day, National Reconciliation week, NAIDIOC, Harmony Week)

• Explore referral pathways for My Aged Care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients

• Welcoming spaces for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

• Whole of agency strategies incorporated into Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOS) e.g.: Murrup–Aboriginal Mental health Strategy

• Employ and train Aboriginal Access and Support workers

• Support cross referrals by encouraging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients to accessing mainstream HACC-PYP and CHSP services

• Cross agency collaborations across ACCOS

• Increase consumer participation in advisory groups and client surveys

• Assertive outreach and flexible practice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

clients

People Living with Dementia

Source: http://www.dfwsheridan.org/types-dementia

There were 49 actions aimed at improving services and supporting people with Dementia. This is an increase from the previous planning cycle.

Actions included:

• Training around Dementia and/or reinforce training already conducted

• Training around early onset Dementia

• Building resources for clients and carers

• Supporting carers through assessment and service delivery

• Increasing awareness of Dementia within staff and community through awareness raising days such as Dementia Awareness month, and Carers Stress Awareness

• Partnerships and networks (e.g. Dementia Australia, Carers Links)

• Social Support groups for people with Dementia

• Accurate data collection for Aboriginal clients with Dementia

• Reviewing current Dementia services and identifying gaps

• Increase accessibility of culturally appropriate services for people living with Dementia through language services, bilingual printed leaflets, ethnic radio

• Providing welcoming spaces for people and their carers (e.g. Dementia friendly spaces)

People who are Homeless or are at risk of Homelessness

Source: https://www.homelessnessaustralia.org.au/sites/homelessnessaus/files/2017-07/Homelessness_in_Australia_-_updated_Jan_2014.pdf

There were 39 actions aimed at supporting the people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. This was an increase from the previous cycle.

Actions included:

• Staff Training and development

• Partnerships (example Launch Housing, Home at Last, Housing for the Aged Action Group, St Marys House of Welcome, SRS, public housing estates)

• Exploring ways that current housing programs can be assessed under Aged Care Housing Assistance programs

• Developing procedures that encourage homelessness or vulnerability to homelessness is captured or expressed during assessment

• Outreach to communities living in SRS and public housing through attending resident meetings

• Providing information in new tenant’s packs

• Consumer participation and consumer voice

• Using Access and Support workers to identify those at risk of homelessness or becoming homeless

• Provide equal service access for those with no fixed address

• Seeking funding to support projects

• Referral pathways for financial counselling and financial support

People who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender or Intersex (LGBTI)

Source: Torbakhopper via Flickr

There were 45 actions supporting LGBTI clients. This is an increase from the previous planning cycle.

Actions included:

• Rainbow tick accreditation and working with other staff and units internally to move toward accreditation

• Networks and Partnerships (GLHV, Val’s Café)

• Consumer voice in policy and advisory groups e.g. advocating for older persons engagement in LGBTIQ discussion papers and community consultations

• Training for staff and assessing which staff need re-freshers

• Representation of Diversity in marketing and communications

• Targeted programs such creating an LGBTI friendship groups

• Using access and support workers to identify this client group

• Establish a consumer participation register (CPR) that represents a diverse membership from LGBTIQA+, CALD, young people, people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, older people and people living with a disability

• Increase visibility at Midsummer’s festival and other LGBTIQ community events

• Train staff to respond to needs of LGBTI consumers from Italian backgrounds

People who are Financially or Socially Disadvantaged

There were 88 actions supporting people who are financially and socially disadvantaged. This is an increase from previous planning cycle. Actions included:

• Addressing transport barriers amongst clients

• Elder abuse training

• Partnerships and networking (e.g. Red Cross, Salvation Army, Mission Australia, material aid, food banks, financial counselling services)

• Review of current financial hardship policies and procedures

• Data collection on clients experiencing financial hardship

• Work with and promote access and support role

• Outreach to clients who are socially isolated

• Food security including food parcels, and creating a food register keeping data on needs for food security

• Assistance with developing client fees policies to support access for clients with financial barriers

• Health Literacy training and policies

• Staff training to respond to needs of vulnerable clients

People who are veterans of the Australian Defence force or an allied defence force

including the spouse, widow or widower of a veteran

Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-02/veterans-thanks-for-serving/10455152

There were 13 actions supporting people who are veterans. This is an increase from the previous planning cycle.

Actions included:

• Acknowledging significant days such as Anzac Day

• Networks and Partnerships (e.g. DVA)

• Staff training and development

• Consumer voice and participation

• Using Access and Support workers to identify this client group

Parents separated from Children by Forced Adoption or Removal

Source:https://aifs.gov.au/publications/forced-adoption-national-practice-principles

There were 16 actions in the parents separated from children by forced adoption or removal. This is an increase from the previous planning cycle.

Actions included:

• Building relationships and networking to build referral pathways

• Consumer participation and consumer voice

• Staff training and development

• Strengthening partnerships with Assessors to access additional supports if required for these clients

• Working together with Access and Support workers to raise awareness and support this client group

People who are care leavers (which includes Forgotten Australians, Former Child Migrants

and Stolen Generations)

Source: http://www.protectingchildren.org.au/significant-moments

There were 25 actions in the people who are care leavers focus area. This is an increase from the previous planning cycle. Actions included:

• Staff training and development

• Networks and Partnerships

• Representation in marketing and communications

• Consumer voice and participation

• Training around Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Care Leavers

• Using Access and Support workers to identify this client group

People who live in rural and remote areas There were no actions supporting people who live in rural and remote areas. Comment

North Metro Melbourne does not have any remote or very remote areas however some services lie in peri-urban areas where people may be experiencing barriers to accessing services and at risk of social isolation.

Diversity Training

Twenty six per cent of actions across all diversity plans focussed on training and skill development.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Identified Training Needs by topic

Examples of training needs by focus area

Focus Area

Training examples

People who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds

Training and refreshers courses to staff around increase awareness of cultural safety and cultural awareness

People from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds

Partner with ethno-specific agencies to undergo cultural awareness training Training around use of interpreters and language services

People who are LGBTI Utilising the Latrobe University training module (How2) LGBTI training around supporting the needs to clients

People who are Care Leavers Training for staff around mental health first aid for older people Staff training with Open Place

People living with Dementia Provide training to staff and volunteers to improve support to people with a new diagnosis Dementia awareness for CALD clients and their carers Dementia awareness for Aboriginal clients and their carers

People who are financially or socially disadvantaged Food security training including raising awareness of where to refer clients to food aid agencies Elder abuse training around supporting older people at risk of financial disadvantage

People who are homeless or at risk of homelessness Staff training around issues relating to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness

Parents separated from their children by forced adoption practices

Staff training to raise awareness and skills to support parents separated from their children by forced adoption practices

People who are Veterans Deliver staff training to understand issues facing DVA holders

Other training themes:

• Carer Support: Training around raising issues of Carer stress

• My Aged Care: Staff training around accessing My Aged Care and how to support CALD consumers to access My Aged Care

• Elder Abuse: Staff training around how to support older people at risk of elder abuse or are being abused

• Supporting consumer who have had a refugee experience: Building capacity to engage and respond to the needs of an increasing population of people who have

had a refugee experience in Hume and Whittlesea

• Disability: Staff training around how to support younger people with disabilities who are at risk of being abused or are abused

• Mental Health: Mental Health First Aid training for workers who work with vulnerable clients

Diversity planning is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and the Victorian Government. Although funding for this report has been provided by the Australian Government, the material contained herein does not necessarily represent the views or policies of the Australian Government. Further information can be found in the CHSP manual as well as your funding and service agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services.

March 2019