February 26, 2018

The importance of independent oversight in disability care

A coronial inquiry into the death of a woman with disability after reports from community visitor volunteers highlights the importance of adequate scrutiny in disability services.

The coroner has yet to make findings in the case, but it appears to be an example of volunteers working with the Office of the Public Advocate bringing serious issues to light.  The quality of care appears to be questionable at best, and the provider’s quality controls and oversight processes must surely be examined as a result.

This highlights the importance of adequate safeguards and protections in the oversight of service providers as NDIS is rolled out.

The NDIS has a Quality and Safeguarding Framework, which guides the delivery of disability services – events like this one confirm how important it is that such safeguards are effective.