National Disability Insurance Agency provide flexible packages in cases of family violence

Family violence can be less visible and less understood for people of diverse backgrounds, including people with a disability. These people may face additional barriers in seeking and receiving support. The Victorian Government is working with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to assist people with a disability who experience family violence to receive the support and assistance they need.

Practice guidelines have been developed to supports collaboration between mainstream systems and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). These systems include:

• Child Protection
• family support services
• family violence services
• out of home care services
• health services (including specialist mental health services)

Victoria and the NDIA have agreed to the continuation of the Victorian Disability Family Violence Crisis Response Initiative across Victoria throughout the NDIS transition period. This initiative can provide short term funds to support immediate disability-related needs for a short period while longer term accommodation and supports are explored. During NDIS transition, support from the initiative is available to women and children with disability who are not yet NDIS participants.

Mainstream practice guidelines including, Child Protection and Family Services guidelines, have been developed and are being released to support mainstream services and NDIS providers to work together to support shared clients. These guidelines include advice for Victoria’s family violence system and NDIS providers to support people experiencing family violence and provide information on how to flexibly use NDIS funding within a participant's NDIS Plan during a crisis and beyond.

As part of the NDIS transition, an Industry Taskforce Forum (the Forum) and a sub-working group were established comprising the NDIA, industry peak bodies, client advocacy representatives, unions and the Disability Services Commissioner. The Forum will be the key consultation mechanism assisting the industry to develop training and expertise in family violence for disability workers and providers.

Implemented.