The UnitingSA NDIS Peer Support Program: Sustaining recovery-oriented psychosocial services in a National Disability Insurance Scheme funding environment

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) began in Australia via a trial phase on the 1st of July 2013. The scheme aims to provide individualised packages of support to eligible people with a disability, thus allowing people increased choice and control over the services they require and use, in line with consumer directed care models. The NDIS includes supports for those experiencing psychosocial disabilities, which for many people arise from their experiences of mental illness. Since the transition to the NDIS, concerns have been raised regarding a disconnect between recognised best practice recovery-oriented models of care, and a requirement (for NDIS eligibility) of permanent disability which does not reflect the episodic nature of mental illness. Furthermore, the sector has questioned the appropriateness of current pricing levels for psychosocial care and raised concerns regarding the capacity to provide continuity of care for the people they support (Mental Health Council of Australia (MHCA), 2013). There has also been significant advocacy for those that have not met the eligibility criteria to access ongoing support. The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has recognised some of these concerns and developed initiatives to improve access to the NDIA by people with psychosocial disability. This includes currently looking at reforms to introduce recovery-oriented support lines. However, some of these supports are time limited and the impacts of these changes are yet to be seen.