The new Disability Support Services Bill is one of the most significant developments for disability support providers in years and it’s crucial the Government gets it right, says New Zealand Disability Support Network.
“We welcome the chance for greater clarity, transparency and stability in the disability support system, and look forward to representing our disability support provider members and the people they support through this process,” said NZDSN CEO Debbie Hughes.
“Disabled people’s needs and rights, their whānau and the providers who support them must be at the heart of this process. The Enabling Good Lives kaupapa that so many have contributed to and fought for must remain.”
For the first time, Disability Support Services (DSS) would have a dedicated legislative foundation setting out the framework for how disability support services operate in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Importantly, the Government has said there are no immediate changes to current disability supports, funding arrangements or provider operations resulting from the Bill being introduced.
“We welcome Government assurance that disabled people, whānau, carers, and providers should continue to access and deliver supports as they do now, while the legislation moves through the Parliamentary process,” said Debbie Hughes.
“This legislation matters enormously because the detail will shape how rights, supports, funding frameworks, family care arrangements, operational responsibilities and system accountability work in practice.”
“We understand this Bill responds to the Supreme Court decision relating to paid family care, and could have significant implications for disabled people and whānau employing family members, as well as for providers operating Individualised Funding, Host, and flexible support arrangements.”
NZDSN will review the Bill carefully, working with members and sector partners to understand the implications for:
- disabled people and whānau
- provider sustainability
- workforce arrangements
- choice and control
- administrative and compliance settings
- future funding and assessment frameworks
- the broader Enabling Good Lives vision for disability support in New Zealand
The Select Committee stage offers an important opportunity for disabled people, families, providers, advocacy organisations and sector leaders to engage with the detail of the legislation and its long-term implications, and NZDSN looks forward to contributing constructively to the discussion