The DEN and VRS Anchored Participant Transition Reference Document is now available
Advice about managing DEN/VRS ‘Anchored’ participants
A number of providers are self-referring or direct registering their 'Anchored' DEN/VRS participants onto their DES caseload.
Where providers have done this, DEEWR will be reversing these instances and these clients will revert back to the relevant DEN or VRS caseloads. Any DES claims that may have been made for these clients will also be reversed.
The relevant providers will be contacted by their contract manager shortly.
Providers should support these participants under DEN/VRS as they progress to their 26 week Outcome. Once the Outcome has been achieved or the placement ends, the provider should exit the participant from DEN/VRS, as appropriate. The Department's transition process will automatically transition the participant to DES, where DES support is required. Providers should not look to self-refer or direct register the participant to their DES caseload.
Further information on managing ‘Anchored’ participants can be found in advice below.
Provider Information
Providers should refer to the following document for information about the transition process, including timeline, provider transition checklist:
Table D1 of the Deed for Disability Employment Services 2010-2012 outlines the transition process for transitioned participants to DES Program.
Transition Principles
- DEEWR will manage the transition to the new Disability Employment Services using the following overarching principles:
- Transition activities must support the commencement of the new Disability Employment Services on time on 1 March 2010.
- Transition activities must be consistent with the design of the new Disability Employment Services, while honouring existing contractual obligations.
- All eligible participants must be referred to new Providers contracted under the new Disability Employment Services as efficiently and sensitively as possible.
Participant Movement
The Participant Movement Table provides an indicative outline of how current DEN and VRS participants will be moved into the new Disability Employment Services.
Transition Reference Group
A Transition Reference Group, comprising nominees from the peak bodies representing the disability employment services stakeholders and some provider members, has been established to provide advice on the disability employment services transition processes.
Communications
In January 2010, all participants received a letter containing information about the new Disability Employment Services and the details of who their disability employment services provider will be after 1 March 2010.
Any enquiries can be sent via email to transition2010@deewr.gov.au and will be responded to as quickly as possible.
Training guidelines and online modules have been developed to assist Providers in understanding enhancements made to DEEWR IT Systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please note that the following questions and answers Table should be read in conjunction with the Disability Employment Services (DES) Deed:
If you have any questions, concerns or feedback please contact the transition mailbox.
Contacts
Participants are encouraged to contact their provider with any queries in relation to the new Disability Employment Services (DES).
Providers who have queries about the transition should contact their Account/Contract Manager or alternatively email the department via the transition mailbox.
Update on Payment of Ongoing Support Fee payments
Program names under Disability Employment Services
On 9 December 2009, the Minister for Employment Participation, Senator the Hon Mark Arbib, announced the successful organisations to deliver Disability Employment Services from 1 March 2010.
Disability Employment Services comprise two new programs. In consultation with disability employment services representatives through the Transition Reference Group, it has been agreed that the two programs will be referred to as:
Disability Employment Services - Disability Management Service
This service is for job seekers with disability, injury of health condition who require the assistance of a disability employment service but are not expected to need long-term support in the workplace; and
Disability Employment Services - Employment Support Service
This service is for job seekers with permanent disability with an assessed need for more long-term, ongoing support in the workplace.
These services were previously referred to with the working titles of Program A and B respectively.
The umbrella name and logo for Disability Employment Services will remain unchanged, with the individual service names generally being used when specifically referencing only one service. Further information will be available in the Disability Employment Services Style Manual.