December 2020 Newsletter
Merry Christmas Everyone
New Staff Training Program 1
Newsletter Editor Notes Hi everyone,
As we reach the end of a very challenging 2020 I look back with satisfaction at the progress that BigDog has made on behalf of our participants and our role as a professional support organisation. The year has seen us pass our quality audit and NDIS registration thanks to the dedication of everyone. We continually attend community consultations and engage with the NDIA over matters that concern participants and providers alike.
Despite COVID-19 2020 has seen significant growth within BigDog and brand awareness remains high especially with the presence of our fleet of vehicles in the community and our new website. Added to this are our BigDog buildings we have purchased this year, East Street and Ibis Avenue in Rockhampton and Vanity Street in Toowoomba.
In This Issue
My very best wishes go out to everyone at BigDog, our staff, our participants, our families, our supporters and my own family for a happy Christmas and a prosperous 2021.
4 Training Infographics
2 Editor Notes 3 Online Training Platform 5 Training Discussions
6 Training Modules 7 Training Records 8 NDIS in 2021 10 Toowoomba Community 11 Rockhampton Community 12 Community News 13 Community Partnerships 16 December Events 16 BigDog Christmas Party
BigDog Newsletter Privacy Notice: Please note that as a subscriber to our BigDog Newsletter which supplies news and events relevant to this organisation, your email address or any other personal information collected will only be used for the purpose for which you gave it to us and will not be disclosed to any other person, body or agency except where you have provided your consent or it is required or authorised by law. 2
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Online
Training Platform
Welcome to the BigDog cloud-based training platform. It has been crafted to be super easy and super useful. Working in conjunction with NGO Training Centre we are continuing to develop a training platform that will cover many your training needs. The Administration dashboard includes everything we need to effectively manage our BigDog account. Within it we can add users, create courses, view reports and manage our account. As we learn how to use the platform we will be looking to include a range of additional WHS, Induction, Code of Practice and Frontline Management courses and we welcome suggestions on what training you may need. There will also be a competition and rewards system that will encourage the more competitive to complete their training tasks as soon as they can.
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Infographic
Setting Up for your Training
Your Progress
Initially there will be a bulk signup with an email to you to verify your account and to access the system.
Through the Progress link you can see an overview of your learning progress and your gamification reports. A visit to the Courses tab shows the courses to which you are registered and your completion status.
Future staff will be via a direct signup with admin activation which will let them access the system when the admin activates their account. Your default user type will be “Community”; and you will automatically become a member of this group and those courses; the default password will be “Welcome1234” and you will need to change this on your first login, the Terms of Service will also need to be accepted.
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The Timeline tab shows all the actions you have made in the portal (e.g., when you registered or when you completed a course). If you have been awarded Certifications, they will be visible here as well. The same stands for any Badges you may have gained. Clicking on the Infographic button you can access your personal infographic.
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Winton
Discussions Discussions
Calendar
Discussions can be created by Instructors or Learners by simply clicking on the “Add Discussion” link.
The calendar will include specific training modules that need to be completed by a specific date and will include some of the Induction Modules for new staff and NDIS required training including COVI-19 specific. The can also be utilised for a conference meeting that may utilise Zoom or Google Teams or a Progress Report.
In the pop-up, fill the topic title and its description and check the “Private” option if you wish to make this topic available only to users that know its URL. Then click on the Post button to create the topic. If the topic is not private, it will be shown in the list of discussions that are currently active. Anyone can reply to a specific comment to create the visual feel of a conversation or can reply to the original post creating a new comment.
Conferences Whenever your Instructor invites you to a conference you will see a new Conference option on your dashboard . If there are no future conferences you won't see the Conferences option
Hannah and Courtney at the finishing post. Photo Toowoomba Chronicle
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Training Modules 32 Modules will be available for the introduction of the BigDog Training Platform and these include some of the following: •
An Introduction to Disability Support
•
Autism Spectrum Disorder
•
Bipolar Disorder
•
Communications
•
Cultural Awareness
•
Duty of Care and Dignity of Risk
•
Effective Progress Notes
•
Feedback, Compliments and Complaints
•
Keeping Safe at Work
•
Person-Centred Active Support
•
Schizophrenia (Parts 1 & 2)
Badges are visual stamps unlocked on certain achievements. It is easy to start getting badges by completing simple things like a few logins or completing a training module. Rewards turn badges into BigDog rewards that may include Bunnings or Coles gift cards.
Other BigDog modules are currently being added including Management of Medication
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Gamification takes the data-driven techniques that game designers use to engage players, and applies them to non-game experiences to motivate actions that add value to your training by allocating points that can be transferred to rewards for completing a number of training modules or by gaining a high percentage result in the questionnaires.
Leaderboards offer a visual depiction of your position compared to fellow learners. All the very best for your learning journey
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Training Records The Cost The question on most lips is how much is this going to cost me to be on this Training Platform? We have been able to negotiate what we believe to be the most reasonable of fees being $30 per year. As all staff receive $15 per week Training Allowance this represents a single pay deduction, effective next pay.
Staff Birthdays
Certificate of Competency As each training module is completed a Certificate of Competency will automatically be issued. You are able to download this for your own records if you wish.
December 2020
Expiry Dates
2nd 3rd 4th 5th 10th
If a module has an expiry date then an email will be sent to you as a reminder that you will need to do a refresher of that module. Examples include Management of Medication that expires every 12 months.
11th 12th 23rd 30th
Additional Training
Have a great day!
If the module is effective for a specific period then an expiry date will also show on the Certificate.
Vincent Greg Grace Wayne Craig M Ryan Jeremy Sarah Paul Isaac
First Aid/CPR which is compulsory but done externally, is recorded by uploading your certificate to the My Files section of your Home page. Details of how this will be included as a BigDog module will be available soon and this will allow reminder emails to update.
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Updates What’s expected in 2021 The NDIS Act 2013 will be revised next year and there will be some substantial changes. Access LACs to start screening people at planning meetings so some people get sent for eligibility reassessments. This means they could lose their NDIS. Participants will be forced to do Independent Assessments if they are reassessed for eligibility Planning Process This will be top-down instead of bottom-up. Participants will not get to have planning meetings anymore. Participants to do standardised Independent Assessments which will be the main thing that counts in what sort of plan and funding received. Goals Goals will no longer be counted in making the plan and funding. So, people with the same basic conditions will get the same funding, even if they have totally different goals and things they want to do. NDIS want to measure how participants meet their goals, so they will face pressure to meet their goals and have goals that can be met. NDIA is considering paying Support Coordinators rates based on whether their clients meet goals or not. No annual plan reviews anymore, and if funding needs to be changed there needs to be a Change of Circumstances review. This means it will be harder to change funding if it is unsuitable. Participants might have to do an Independent
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Assessment if they ask for a plan to be reviewed. This could discourage people from asking for reviews. We don’t know what AAT rights participants will have once annual reviews are eliminated. Plans will not be built using Reasonable and Necessary anymore. Instead there will be funding based on the IAs. Plans will no longer have Core and Capacity Building. Instead, there will be 2 new categories — Flexible, and Fixed. Fixed will contain items where the funding can only be used for that item. Independent Assessments (IAs) will be forced on everyone except those who can get an exemption. IAs will be conducted by businesses contracted by the NDIS. The IAs were recommended by the Productivity Commission in 2011 to make sure participant plans were not too generous. Participants will have to do a set number of standardised tests and have 20 minutes to provide individual information and 20 minutes of observational assessment. The whole assessment including writing the report will take 1 to 4 hours. Participants will have less chance of getting funded for full OT functional assessments because the NDIS says they already provide “free” assessments.
Exemptions to IAs are not a reviewable decision. So, if the NDIS says you can't get an exemption you can't ask for a review to get someone else to look at that decision. Independent Assessment results cannot be re-
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viewed. Once you have a result you have it and can't ask for another one if you aren't happy with it. LACs New planning process and IAs, LACs will take on more of a support coordination role and less of role in planning meetings. Support Coordination The NDIS want fewer people to use support coordination, especially people with psychosocial disability. People with psychosocial disability to use Recovery Coaches instead of Support Coordination Level 2. LACs to take over Support Coordination duties. The NDIS wants to give Support Coordinators more pay if they meet a they don’t meet thosegoals, so be prepared for Support Coordinators to become extra pushy). The NDIS is also seeking ways to integrate Support Coordination and Plan Management NDIS thinks Support Coordinators are paid too much per hour and want to reduce their pay rate.
er support workers) will need to do the NDIS Worker Check, which is a new type of worker check that Quality and Safeguards is developing. This means it will be harder finding independent contractors as they will have to get this special check instead of just having an ABN. Invoices and Payments The NDIS wants to pay all invoices directly now with funding, and will no longer reimburse participants. NDIA is working on an app to pay things with. Plan Managers are worried that it could reduce their clientele if it’s easier to Self-Manage once the app is ready. AAT Once there aren’t annual reviews a Review of a Reviewable Decision might not go to the AAT about NDIS planning decisions. The Tune Review recommended less of a role for the AAT in NDIS processes
NDIS wants to stop providers providing both Support Coordination and Support Work for clients, as it’s a conflict of interest.
“If we can't go to the AAT as easily we will have fewer rights as NDIS participants, and there will be less oversight of how the NDIS does things.”
Plan Management
Funding
Plan Management is being made into a type of Self Management, so people need to go through the same risk assessment as Self Managed people. This could mean some people can’t be Plan Managed anymore, especially if they were bankrupt etc. This means more Agency Managed participants.
The NDIS want funding released to participants monthly or quarterly instead of yearly (or for 2 years in the case of 2-year plans).
Plan Managers are now responsible for a participant buying something they shouldn’t, and the plan manager has to pay it back. The NDIS clarified this in a recent paper. This means participants may find plan managers telling them that they can’t buy things because they don’t want the risk of being made to pay it back.
Disability Sex Needs
Support Workers All Support Workers (not just registered provid-
Disability types and access The NDIS is eliminating List A and List B and all participants will be subject to reassessments and Independent Assessments The NDIS will not fund sex work, or any sex devices or sex aids. Everyday items
The NDIS will not fund everyday items. It is unclear how this will be a change from the current rules, but it does look like the NDIS might start cracking down on it.
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Day Service with
Fundraiser for the AstroTurf area with a prize package worth in excess of $500. The winning entry will be drawn at the Queens Park Market at 1:00 pm Sunday the 20th December 2020. The winner will be notified by text message, be announced during the Tony Wigan Morning Show on Monday and appear on our Facebook page. BigDog Day Service Toowoomba Paul Myatt Community Centre 11-15 Alexander Street North Toowoomba 4350 Coordinator Sharon Price Phone: 4512 6020 dayservice@bigdogsupport.com.au 10
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Rockhampton with This Month we have started swimming, just in time for the warmer weather. Also this month our guys have been doing their share of fundraising with over $600 raised. Throughout the year we have been learning the importance of recycling and combining this with “Money Matters” by collecting cans and bottles and taking them to the Recycling Centre and depositing those funds into our fundraiser.
Fundraiser for Great Keppel Trip Footy fan friends we are having a raffle... Tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10 it’s a framed Broncos jersey that has kindly been donated, has been worn and signed by the 2020 squad let Sarah know if you’d like some tickets.
Great Keppel Island Trip This is an all inclusive day to Great Keppel with our buses leaving from the BigDog Office at 7:30 am, ferry to the island and morning tean and lunch on the beach.
Don’t forget to bring your swimmers, towel, sun hat and sun screen so you can enjoy the beautiful waters around the island.
BigDog Day Service Rockhampton Manderson’s Dance Centre 170 East Street Rockhampton 4700
and
206 Murray Street, Allenstown 4701 Manager Sarah Dillon Phone: 4573 4611 rockhampton@bigdogsupport.com.au 11
Community
NEWS
Well, here we go again with another change to the NDIS price guide in this financial year. The first issue was released on the 26th June 2020 with an effective date of 1st July 2020 (Version 1.0). Quickly followed by Versions 1.0.1, 1.0.2, 1.0.3, 1.0.4, 1.0.5, 1.0.6, 1.0.7, 1.0.8 and 1.0.9 all within the first 3 months. Version 1.1 was 25th October. This represents 11 versions in 5 months. No confusion there!
NDIS Price Rise 1st December 2020 (Version 2.0) Major changes introduced or adjusted are: • Increased price limits for 369 support items as a result of the Equal Remuneration Order.
• Clarification of claiming arrangements delivered by Telehealth • Clarification that ECI providers can deliver a Program of Supports that includes a mix of 1:1 and group-based supports When a support item (“the primary support”) in the Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation Support Category is delivered in a facility (Centre) then the provider can claim an additional amount for the costs of running and maintaining the facility through the relevant Centre Capital Cost support item. 04_599_0136_6_1
Centre Capital Cost $2.15
per hour
There is a transition period until 30th June 2021.
Queensland Guardianship Today important changes to the laws underpinning Queensland’s guardianship system commences. Section 45 of the Act has been amended to remove the requirement to certify each page of the enduring document. Instead the copy must only be certified to the effect that it is a true and complete copy of the original.
New approved forms will come into effect: •
enduring power of attorney (short form – Form 2 Version 4)
•
enduring power of attorney (long form – Form 3 Version 4)
•
advance health directives (Form 4 Version 5). 12
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Community
Partnerships
The NGO Training Centre is a comprehensive training institute based in Queensland. All training is offered online, providing a modern twist to the traditional forms of training. Competency training is available for all levels of employees and is inclusive of E-learn courses, instructional videos, tools, templates and checklists, podcasts and industry expert webinars. All courses have been carefully crafted to close sector specific training gaps. This enables NGOs to achieve their operational goals. Our course list also offers all “business as usual” courses. Ultimately enabling NGOs to focus on their core business and achieve their mission. More information www.ngotrainingcentre.org International Day of People with Disability 3rd December 2020 sees the first year that we have not celebrated this day with an evening event or community day for almost 10 years. COVID-19 has certainly changed how we can celebrate together, in any type of group environment. The theme for IDPwD 2020 is “Building Back Better: toward a disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 World”. Let’s make that happen.
WhatsUp in Disability
Nov/Dec Magazine Stories in this issue include: • Peter Ford • Control Bionics—Say Hello • Make Disability Count QLD • Hike for Homeless • NDIS Updates
To obtain a copy of WhatsUp in Disability magazine or to be a sponsor, please contact WhatsUp via: Office
11-15 Alexander Street, Toowoomba
admin@whatsupindisability.org
Online
www.whatsupindisability.org
• Accessible Australia • The Keeper of Dreams • Busting Transport Myths
Steven Paull President 13
What’s happening in
The Empire Theatre Friday 11th December 7:30pm Join Australia’s favourite ABBA tribute band as they celebrate the iconic dance moves, pitch perfect harmonies and stunning costumes! Get ready for a night of fun, flares and songs.
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BigDog Support Services Magazine
Justice of the Peace This service is available at the Paul Myatt Community Centre 11-15 Alexander Street Toowoomba (please call first to make an appointment) The JPs in the Community Program is also available through major shopping centres, libraries, court houses and hospitals.
Contact Us BigDog Support Services 232 Ruthven Street Toowoomba QLD 4350 PO Box 234 Harlaxton QLD 4350
(07) 4632 9559 1800 22 44 32 0427 408 698 (On Call) www.bigdogsupport.com.au 15
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