Self Purchasing Pilot Study - Empowering People with a Disability to Manage and Purchase their own Supports
Objective
To implement and evaluate a Self Purchasing (Direct Funding) model with clients with acquired disabilities, including acquired brain injuries.
Method
A pilot was conducted with seven Transport Accident Commission clients who had stable needs and circumstances whereby the annual cost of their supports was calculated and funding released every 28 days. With this funding clients purchased services to address their needs. Clients in the pilot were assisted by brokers, to the extent needed. The pilot was successful and the model will be available to a larger group of clients at the beginning of 2005.
Pending legislative changes in October 2004, a Self Management model will be introduced whereby clients and families, who wish to and meet key selection criteria, will be able to manage their own funding packages without engaging a broker.
Results
The pilot was evaluated with pre and post interviewing of clients using standardised measures and open-ended question interview techniques. Involved staff were also engaged in pre and post implementation focus groups. Pre and post implementation service pattern and cost analyses were also completed.
Pilot results demonstrate positive responses from clients and staff and economical, efficient and effective budget management.
Conclusions
In line with international developments in empowerment of people with disabilities this pilot demonstrated that people, including people with an ABI (with appropriate support) can purchase and manage their own services and achieve positive outcomes.