FINAL Project Scope
Outcome Measures and Reference Packages for Psychosocial Disability
Introduction
The intent of this project is to determine appropriate psychosocial impairment severity
indicators and/or functional assessments which could be used by the NDIA and assist in the
development of reference packages for psychosocial disability. This project may also assist
with arrangements for access for people with psychosocial disability by providing a better
understanding of functional assessments/ outcome measures currently used assessing
functional limitations for people with a psychosocial disability, and which measures may be
most appropriate to inform the in the NDIA Access process. The Agency strategic plan sets
out the goals of:
a) People with disability are in control and have choices, based on the UN
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
b) The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is financially sustainable and
governed using insurance principles
c) The community has ownership, confidence and pride in the National Disability
Insurance Scheme and the National Disability Insurance Agency.
In order to meet these goals, the Agency is required to:
•
Collect data on the number of participants, the characteristics of these participants
(to allow analysis of reference groups), the outcomes for these participants, and the
cost of supports provided to participants.
•
Develop a detailed understanding of deviations between actual and expected
experience and hence identification of cost drivers.
•
Identify drivers of good and bad outcomes – benefits to participants, their families
and the community
The Productivity Commission intended that people with psychosocial disability would be
included in the Scheme. This included costings for an estimate of 57,000 people who would
be eligible for individually funded packages of support, noting that a range of support
packages was included in the costing from low through to high support needs.
At full scheme, the NDIS is expected to cover 419,500 people across Australia, at a total
cost of $14.7 billion (2013/14 figures). These 419,500 participants were split into cohorts
based on age, health condition, and level of functional support need. Each cohort was
assigned an average expected cost per year, known as the reference package. Reference
packages provide an expected annual funding level for participants with similar support
needs and characteristics. Reference packages mean that there is a link between resource
allocation to individual participants and the overall funding envelope. Reference packages
play a crucial role in scheme monitoring. Detailed analysis of actual experience compared
with this expected experience provides management with the information required to identify
potential cost pressures.
While severity indicators, outcome measures and reference packages have been developed
and implemented for a number of prevalent conditions within the NDIA, this work has yet not
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been completed for people with psychosocial disability. It is important that this work is done
in conjunction with key stakeholders in the mental health sector and captures and utilises the
experience of the mental health sector and particularly the community managed mental
health sector in the use of functional assessment, outcome measurement and lessons
learned in implementation of these. It is also important that this work makes reference to the
Mental Health Operational Access Review, the findings of the Identification of Supports
Project and other projects of the mental health work plan as well as the work of the Scheme
Actuary.
Scope
The scope of this project will be to:

To determine the NDIA specifications for a psychosocial disability severity indicator/
functional assessment for use in reference packages.

To identify functional assessments, outcome measures and/or severity indicators
currently used in the mental health/ disability fields. This will include leveraging work
undertaken by the Independent Hospital Pricing Authority (IHPA) on costing
community mental health services where available.

To review these assessments/ measures/ indicators for applicability and/or best fit
within NDIA access processes and the development of reference packages. This
may include determining assessments that provide short term solutions and/ or the
need to develop new severity indicators and/ or functional assessment processes.

To engage an expert panel to develop reference packages for people with
psychosocial disability. to review key literature/ evidence and make
recommendations to the Agency.

To work with the mental health sector to arrive at a shared and clear understanding
of the use of functional assessment, outcome measures, psychosocial disability
severity indicators and the role of reference packages within the NDIA.

Where they arise, identify further longer-term changes that may be required for the
Scheme and ensure these issues are addressed in the NDIA mental health work
plan.
Where they arise, identify opportunities within the Mental Health sector for capacity building
in order to address barriers to access and support needs for people with psychosocial
disability, including the roles of their families, peers and other significant people in relation to
the access, outcome measurement and planning processes and ensure these issues are
addressed in the mental health work plan.
Key Dates
It is anticipated the project will run from March 2015 – December 2015. See attached project
plan for deliverables, timeframes and key milestones dates.
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Governance
This project will be overseen by Eddie Bartnik -NDIA Strategic Advisor and Sarah Johnson NDIA Scheme Actuary. The Mental Health Sector Reference Group will also provide input
and oversight for the project.
In accordance with Agency arrangements and understandings of co-design, the project
director will liaise with the Mental Health Sector Reference Group and key internal
stakeholders for input into the design of the project.
Proposed Work Plan – 2015
Task
Date
Comment
Background research for project proposal/due
diligence
Draft documentation circulated to MH project team
EMG signoff resources
Brief Mental Health Sector Reference Group
Select Project Director
EMG signoff project brief
Identify expert panel members
Feb 2015
Complete
Feb 2015
Feb 24 2015
March 4 2015
March 2015
March 3 2015
September
2015
Complete
Complete
Complete
Complete
Complete
In process
COB
September
Timetable meetings for working party and invite
identified stakeholders.
Research and review functional assessments,
outcome measures and severity indicators and
provide background summary for expert panel.
Key actions and activities to be undertaken by expert
panel with assistance of the project lead
September
2015
October 2015
October
December
2015
Develop recommendations from Working Party and October
refer to Mental Health Sector Reference Group for December
review
2015
NDIA Mental Health Sector Reference Group to December
provide recommendations to EMG
2015
due
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