13-May-2010

12 May 2010

DEEWR addresses referral, transfer and funding level trigger problems

DEEWR has responded to a number of Disability Employment Service program and system problems identified over the last two months. Detailed information on these solutions is now available from the ECSN DES 'Provider Portal'.

Change of funding level following Job Placement

A reassessment of a participant's funding level has sometimes been triggered when the participant is entered into a Job Placement on the Employment Service System (ESS). Where it has been identified that a participant's funding level has been reduced due to this specific reason, the Department will implement a change to the original funding level. No action is required on behalf of the provider.

Where an incorrect payment of a 'Job Placement Fee' has occurred, the Department will notify providers of the process to claim the difference between the Funding Level 1 Job Placement Fee and the correct Funding Level 2 Job Placement Fee. See ESCN DES latest updates, 28 April 2010.

Changing Ongoing Support Levels for transition clients who achieve a DEN Outcome
Providers are now able to determine the Ongoing Support level in ESS for participants transitioning to DES after a 26 week DEN outcome. However, when it is more than 52 weeks since the participant's 'Employment Anchor' date, a change of circumstances OSA will be required to change the level of ongoing support. See ESCN DES Provider Portal News, 30 April 2010.

Inappropriate Referrals to DES Specialist providers
Referrals to Specialist DES providers that are outside their area of specialisation should now cease—the Department has advised Centrelink and JCS providers of the correct practices. ECSN Provider Portal News, 30 April 2010.

Automatic transfer of clients to other services resulting from a change in address
An interim measure to respond to participants who are automatically transferred to another service, when it is not in their best interest, has been implemented. This has been occurring when a participant's address changes and their new postcode does not match the original provider's Employment Service Area. The Department is looking at a number of ways to address this but in the interim providers should continue to contact their Contract Managers to have the automatic transfers reversed.

Other areas of concern that DEEWR are addressing but have not yet finalised include: DES participants who are 17 years and under being ineligible for work experience; and school-based apprenticeships recorded as a non-payable placement within the Deed.

NDS continues to present emerging DES program concerns to DEEWR for consideration and change.
 
Contact Information:
Jennifer Kitchin, Senior Policy Adviser, NDS National Office, Ph 02 6283 3202, jennifer.kitchin@nds.org.au
 
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