New future for Queensland’s community care services

The Palaszczuk Government is ensuring vulnerable Queenslanders not eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) are still able to live independently and remain connected and involved in their communities, with funding now available for organisations to provide community support services from 1 July 2019.

Acting Minister for Disability Services and SeniorsShannon Fentiman said tenders for the Queensland Community Support Scheme (QCSS) had now opened, with the Palaszczuk Government seeking offers from organisations to deliver these vital services for Queenslanders who are not eligible for the NDIS.

“The new initiative, known as the Queensland Community Support Scheme, will replace the current Queensland Community Care program,” Ms Fentiman said.

“The QCSS is designed to reflect the support needs of people who currently receive community care services for low-level disability, chronic health or mental health conditions.

“While these clients are not intended to be supported by the NDIS, we know they will continue to need some assistance to live independently in their own homes.

“The services provided by the QCSS will include in-home support to assist people with personal care and managing their home such as cleaning and preparing meals, support with community connection such as assistance with shopping or participating in social activities and attending medical appointments.”

Approximately 34,000 vulnerable Queenslanders with health or mental health conditions or disability received some community care support during the 2017-18 financial year.

Ms Fentiman said that many of these existing clients will be eligible for specialist disability supports through the NDIS and will move across to the scheme by full transition at 30 June 2019.

“This means there will still be thousands of people receiving community care whose needs are not intended to be met by the NDIS and who will continue rely on this support into the future,” she said.

“The rollout of the NDIS across Queensland doesn’t lessen our commitment to providing community care services, which can make all the difference for people wanting to live independently in their own homes and access their communities.

“We will ensure that people who aren’t eligible for the NDIS aren’t left behind, and that’s why community care services will continue to be available in Queensland into the future.

“The introduction of the NDIS gives us an excellent opportunity to refocus the provision of community care services and find the best organisations to deliver them.”

Tenders for the Queensland Community Support Scheme close on Thursday 13 December 2018. For information or to apply visit https://www.hpw.qld.gov.au/qtenders/

For more information on the Queensland Community Support Scheme visit www.communities.qld.gov.au

ENDS

Media Contact: Benjamin Mulcahy 0419 562 389