We recently had the opportunity to checkup on the broader NDIS regulations covering business continuity.
Throughout the Coronavirus pandemic the essential nature of disability services was made clear and the larger providers all created specific plans to protect participants and staff. Decisions on the essential or non-essential nature of services were made, and the NDIS informed of providers’ decisions.
A broader question has now come up:
Are providers required by the Agency to have documented business continuity plans ? The answer is yes
The NDIS Practice Standards address the topic in several places:
Pages 11 and 12 of Continuity of supports – this section is clear that providers need to make sure that participants obtain the services they need, the last paragraph also expressly says: “Where applicable, disaster preparedness and planning measures are in place to enable continuation of critical supports before, during and after a disaster.”
Pages 41 and 42 on Tenancy management, under Documented arrangements states: “Arrangements for continuity of supports (including specialist disability accommodation) in the event or a natural disaster or other emergency”
NDIS Quality & Safeguards Commission issued a Provider Alert in March 2020. Although written in the context of the Coronavirus pandemic, the Commission makes clear that providers are “expected to have plans that set out how your organisation will manage in the event of a crisis or disaster situation” it also reminds providers to test their plans, risk assess their participants, communicate to staff and report service shortfalls via the Commission website.
Conclusion
This is all logical – the disability sector serves vulnerable people, some of whom could be at risk if they were no longer supported. Providers should make sure that they have the plans and measures in place to ensure that critical disability supports are not interrupted.
The Board is accountable to ensure that these measures are in place, and generally delegates implementation of the business continuity plans to the CEO.
Do you have plans and have you tested them?
If this article has of interest to you, contact Paul Stiff Consulting Pty Ltd on paul@paulstiff.com.au or 0400 259 508 to discuss your Business Continuity Planning requirements.