Introduction from the Deputy Chief Executive, Disability Support Services
The DSS Taskforce was established in September 2024 to implement the recommendations of the Independent Review.
The Taskforce’s work aims to stabilise the disability support system, and to ensure future spending can be kept within the budget allocated for it each year.
The Taskforce will work closely with disabled people, carers, whānau, community groups, service providers, and Government to ensure a sustainable Disability Support Services (DSS) system into the future.
In our first round of consultation at the end of 2024, over 1,500 people told us their views on the future of DSS. We heard the system is confusing, inconsistent and that the 18 March 2024 decisions undermined trust and confidence in the system. This feedback has informed our policy work and options which is what we are now consulting on.
Policy work has identified options to stabilise the DSS system in the near-term by making changes to the allocations process and accessing and administering flexible funding. The options are designed to provide clarity and confidence in how the system works for disabled people, their carers and whānau within current funding levels. At the same time introduce a greater level of visibility to support outcomes and ensure the ongoing affordability of DSS into the future.
The first area we want to hear from you about is how we can make our assessment and allocation processes clearer.
We have received consistent feedback as to the effect of the changes made to flexible funding in March 2024. We know that isn’t working, so the second area we want your thoughts on are proposed criteria for access to flexible funding and changes to how the funding is used. There are two options for how these changes could be made:
- Option one links each person’s flexible funding to a plan.
- Option two is to amend the current purchasing rules.
We want a system where disabled people can access fair, consistent and transparent services and supports that are affordable.
We appreciate your participation in this consultation. Your insights will help us to better understand and consider these very important supports and services and the impact of the options we are proposing.
Chris Bunny
Deputy Chief Executive
Disability Support Services