Early Intervention and Engagement Pilot
The pilot provides an opportunity to:
- further refine assessment and referral processes for DSP applicants/review and NSA/YA (o) job seekers who seek exemption from activity test requirements due to disability, illness or injury (NSA/YA Incap)
- test whether the one consolidated assessment could replace or be used as an alternative to post JSCI assessments
- identify the extent and nature of short term intervention service gaps, which may impact on the participation levels of the DSP and NSA/YA Incap cohorts.
The aims of the pilot are to test:
- refined processes around assessment and referral of DSP applicants/review and NSA/YA Incap with a focus on reducing the time between application/review and determination of grant
- whether more comprehensive assessments, and direct referrals to service providers, of DSP applicants/review and NSA/YA Incap by external assessors reduces the time taken for service offer/referral
- whether the involvement of external assessors in the referral process increases the voluntary participation rates with workforce participation services of people newly claiming or receiving DSP and NSA/YA (o) Incap applicants/review
- the capacity of different organisations to undertake comprehensive wholistic assessments of DSP applicants/review and NSA/YA(o) Incap applicants /review, to identify work capacity, barriers to participation, appropriate interventions and directly refer to appropriate interventions and/or workforce participation services
- the extent and nature of short term interventions service gaps and whether direct purchase of recommended short term interventions by employment services is feasible or appropriate
- which elements of the pilot processes would be sustainable and affordable nationally
- examine the extent that NSA/YA Incap job seekers participate in interventions identified to increase their work capacity on a voluntary basis
- NSA/YA (o) new applicants for exemption from the activity test, extension to current exemption and reviews.
- DSP new claimants and review.
- A sample of job seekers in trial areas identified as requiring a JSA (Special Needs or Disability)
- All job seekers seeking an incapacity exemption will be referred for a consolidated assessment unless:
- their condition or injury is clearly expected to last for less then 13 weeks; and
- the individual’s work capacity is less then 8 hours per week; and
- it is the first claim for the current condition.
- All DSP claimants (except those clearly manifest DSP) and DSP recipients identified for review will be referred for a consolidated assessment. Please note that legally blind clearly manifest will NOT be excluded.
- A sample of job seekers in trial areas who trigger a JSA will be referred for a consolidated assessment.
- Assessors, in partnership with the department, will help develop an enhanced assessment report that fulfils the requirements of a number of existing reports.
- Customers referred for an external assessment will undergo a modified process as proposed by each of the participating assessing organisations.
- As well as fulfilling legislative requirements for payment determination the process will focus on participation through early referral to interventions. Assessors to refer (with the customers agreement) to employment services such as Job Network, CRS and DEA regardless of whether an exemption or DSP is granted or not, prior to payment determination by Centrelink.
- Assessors to directly refer NSA/YA (Incap) claimants/recipients and DSP claimants/ recipients (with the customer’s agreement) to recommended short interventions such as pain management, motivational counseling, adjustment to disability, anger management etc. Assessors to promote the provision/purchase of recommended short interventions by employment services.
- Ensure provision of the consolidated assessment report to Australian Government funded service providers and Centrelink.
Information sessions for all service providers in the designated pilot areas were conducted from the 4 - 8 April 2005 in Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia. A copy of the presentation is now available (PPT 628KB) .