Why Getting An Independent I-CAN Is Essential For All NDIS Participants

What We Know Straight From The NDIS

The NDIS website states:

“Developing the assessment

We have consulted with the disability community to understand and agree on what should be included in the support needs assessment. 

The consultation will inform our work with the University of Melbourne and the Centre for Disability Studies. 

The work will include our use of the Instrument for the Classification and Assessment of Support Needs (I-CAN) version 6 which was developed by the Centre for Disability Studies as the basis for the new support needs assessment.

The I-CAN is the gold standard of available, validated needs assessment tools. It has been developed over more than 20 years in the Australian context and tested through multiple research studies across a range of disability groups. It is strengths-based and built on the globally recognised International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.

A customised version of the I-CAN has already been in use as part of the Disability Support for Older Australians (DSOA) program for over 4 years.”

The assessments will collect information from participants, families and carers about participants’ disability support needs to create fairer budgets in plans.

They will remove some of the burden participants experience when getting supporting evidence as part of the planning process.”

Our interpretation

They will stop funding vital assessments, and their own very limited assessment will determine support needs. That’s 54 questions + ‘about me’, goals and support circle in 1-3 (1.5 hours by DSOA standards) hours of work. It doesn’t add up to anything closely resembling comprehensive. Even at 3 hours, that’s 1.5-3 minutes per question / domain. I don’t know too many participants that can explain their support needs in that amount of time, particularly when the questions will be phrased “what can you do / contribute”.

What We Don't Know

The CDS notes “the National Disability Insurance Agency recently announced that I-CAN version 6 will inform the development of a new NDIS Support Needs Assessment Tool. This new tool is not available for public access or training.”

So, it will be similar, but not exactly the same. Our guess on this issue is that the NDIS assessors (most probably their current planners) will not require the same qualifications, training or accreditation processes prior to being able to administer the tool.

We do think that the same ‘I-CAN formula” will be used and the processes shortened, e.g. they will not need to read all previous reports, in order to fit the entire process into the 1–3-hour time frame they are saying it will take. Everything will hinge on one interview.

The DSOC manual which is the closest comparison we can make at the moment does not require minimum qualifications, training or accreditation that independent assessor require. The DSOC version is short and very vague on inclusions. 

Warning

Most people have not noticed the change in NDIS legislation. Reports such as functionality reporting should ONLY be done if the NDIA requests it. They have not been enforcing that but we think at some stage they will. Very strong possibility it will happen with the I-CAN introduction as they can easily argue this replaces that need.

The means the participants are not in control of when or even if they can get any reporting.

Without reporting how will clients challenge the governments assessment? Short answer is participants won't be able to. It will same billions in not allowing reporting in the majority of cases (it is likely to remain for situation of extreme care or extensive changes such as manual handling for all transfers or assessments from family or independent living into SIL or SDA).

So it will go. Government I-CAN assessment, massive funding cuts, no funding for report, it goes to internal review and they will uphold it, then to the ART, support coordinators will not be able to help, still no funding for reports to gather evidence to challenge the decision.

Whilst participants are waiting for the ART their condition, supports and quality of life are seriously deteriorating. The NDIS will appoint a case manager, the participant will receive an email say they have appointed an outside lawyer to represent them and ask for the participant's lawyer. Advocacy is scarce, legal aid cannot help, still no funding to be able to gather evidence. And, so it goes.

What evidence you have on file when supports are reassessed will most likely be all you will ever have. That is the scariest thing I have even encountered in the NDIS. Are you and your clients ready?

What NDIS Legislation Is NOT Addressed By The I-CAN

There is nowhere to address the reasonable and necessary criteria, nor integrate ART (previously AAT) decisions such as comorbidities, what treatment has been tried and what is ‘accessible’ to the individual participant. There is also nowhere to put an explanation of the disabilities nor how the person experiences that disability.

The medical section is the most extensive and gives plenty of scope for assessors to determine support needs are medical rather than disability related. Nothing on medication or their effects, only how medication is managed.

There is no general risk assessment nor the risks if recommendations are not funded. Nothing on effective or beneficial, no peer reviewed evidence will be included - who will assess this and how will preferences be respected. Carer burnout and other associated unsustainability risks are not addressed, in the I-CAN, ‘positive language’ is always required, often leaving the harsh realities left unsaid.

These are huge gaps in addressing the legislation, clarifying needs and securing funding.

How Can AHEAD Support Help?

Your clients will need to address these issues with robust evidence that looks a little like the following:

• Provide an independent I-CAN assessment by an accredited assessor, some an ‘apples with apples’ comparison can be made against the NDIS assessment

• Use the full I-CAN assessment process to get to know your clients and their support needs. This can be used to compare against the NDIS assessment and identify gaps and deficiencies in the NDIS assessment.

• Provide supplementary assessments and information which covers the NDIS Act, dual diagnosis and comorbid, medication, treatment ‘accessibility’ and condition descriptions and impacts, carer burden, functional behaviour assessments, using legislation, human rights and ART / relevant previous AAT decisions, along with incorporating the latest peer-reviewed evidence as defense mechanisms. 

• Customised reporting for Change of Circumstance Reports, internal NDIS reviews and ART appeals. Even if reports are not read by the NDIS, they sure are at the ART! This is why is so important to be ART ready from the start, before funding cuts, secure your clients funding today.

• Utilise NDIS funding from a range of sources including:

  • Therapy

  • PBS

  • Finding and keeping a job counselling and assessments

  • Core funding (in certain circumstances)

  We can work with you and your clients to find the best funding options.

• Provide an understanding of the process, consequences and practice in answering. Working with provides, participants and families to achieve positive outcomes.

• Comprehensive risk analysis including risks if supports are not funded.

• We offer a service guarantee if urgent of an initial assessment within 5 days of the referral and a report within 14-days, Australia-wide, 7-days a week.

• In short, we provide a comprehensive assessment service, bringing together all relevant evidence, getting to know clients and their support needs, culminating in a suite of evidence second to none. 

• Don’t wait until it’s too late.

Secure your assessment today!