Supporting Families — Family Support Program
Family Support Program fact sheetHow do we support families?
Through the Family Support Program structure, families are able to be supported in a manner that builds their resilience and capacity to care for their family member with a disability.
Two types of supports may be available to families:
- access to a Facilitator who will work with a family to build their networks and increase their access to resources within their community; and
- the provision of funded supports.
Review of the program, has led to changes in the model from July 2008. The intention of these changes is to provide more flexibility within the program so that more families can be supported. Disability Services Queensland now has the ability to offer support to those families whose circumstances are very complex and require an intensive level of support, as well as offering support to those families whose circumstances are less complex and only require time limited supports.
Under the new model, families may be able to access the assistance of a Facilitator, or support from funded service providers, or a combination of both.
Those families with complex and intensive needs may benefit from the assistance from a Facilitator to:
- explore goals and visions for the person with a disability and their family;
- identify how the goals and visions can be achieved and identify possible options;
- link families with informal and funded supports to achieve these goals;
- review the use of various supports and identify future needs, goals and supports;
- provide families with an opportunity to reflect and comment on the goals/visions and/or supports provided;
- facilitate a continuous planning process throughout the year; and
- capture significant information for both the family and the Facilitator.
Those families with less complex needs may only require the assistance of a Facilitator on a less intensive level and for a shorter period of time.
Providing support may also include connecting families with service providers who are funded to meet a specific need. These could include a range of supports including access to regular respite or the purchase of specialised equipment.
Who is eligible to receive assistance?
To be eligible for assistance through the Family Support Program, you will need to meet the criteria outlined in the Disability Services Queensland Eligibility Policy1.
You must be one of the following:
- an Australian citizen
- a permanent Australian resident
- a Temporary Protection Visa holder
- a New Zealand citizen who arrived in Australia prior to 26 February 2001
- a member of a family on a work or study visa sponsored by the Australian Government.
You must also live in Queensland and have a disability that:
- is attributable to an intellectual, psychiatric, cognitive, neurological, sensory or physical impairment or a combination of impairments; and
- results in a substantial reduction of the person's capacity in one or more of the following areas: communication; social interaction, learning, mobility, or self care/management; and
- results in you needing support; and
- is permanent or likely to be permanent (and may or may not be of a chronic episodic nature); and
- manifests itself before the age of 65.
Access criteria for Children
Children with a disability who are eligible under the Queensland Disability Service Act 2006 must be:
- under the age of 18; and
- living with their natural or adoptive parents/families (this includes traditional adoptive arrangements for indigenous families).
Access criteria for Adults
Adults with a disability who are eligible under the Queensland Disability Service Act 2006 must be:
- aged between 18 and 65 years
- living in the family home (this includes traditional arrangements for Indigenous families)
- seeking support to remain living in the family home.
Note: Adults, who live by themselves and are not residing within a family unit, do not meet the access criteria for Adults.
How do I apply?
A Disability Services Queensland Application for Support is required for a person with a disability to register or apply for Disability Services Queensland specialist disability services.
Copies of the Application for Support and the Guide to Completing the Application for Support are also available on the Disability Services Queensland website.
You may also contact a Disability Services Queensland service centre or non-government service provider for assistance as outlined on the Family Support Program Fact Sheet . The Application for Support can be completed by a person with a disability over the age of 18, or by a family member (if the applicant is under 18 or unable to apply on their own behalf). A carer, advocate or service provider may also complete the Application for Support, if requested by the applicant.
The Application for Support can be posted to the nearest Disability Services Queensland regional office, or hand delivered to any Disability Services Queensland service centre located throughout Queensland.
How do we process your application?
Due to the large number of applications received, a thorough prioritisation process is undertaken. All applications are reviewed by a priority panel in each region and given a priority rating based on the applicant's individual circumstances.
Panels will review Applications for Support and Updates within each Region, on average three times per year. This will enable Regions to offer support to families based on their identified needs, on a more regular basis.
Due to the limited resources available, not all families are able to be offered support after a panel process. However, families may be contacted outside of this process should additional resources become available.
Once recommendations for support are made, Disability Services Queensland regional staff undertake a clarification process to ensure the information considered by the panel reflects the family's current needs.
When individual circumstances have been clarified, recommendations for support are considered by the regional allocation panel. The recommendations of the panel are then submitted to the Regional Executive Director for approval.
Updating your information
It is important to notify DSQ of any changes to your circumstances that impact on the information you previously provided in the DSQ Application for Support.
You should provide details of the changes by completing the Application Update Form. Copies of the Application Update Form and the Guide to Completing the Application Update are available online and at any Disability Services Queensland service centre.
Further information
For further advice or assistance regarding support for families or to submit an Application for Support, please contact your nearest DSQ Regional Office.
- Freecall:
- 1800 177 120
- TTY:
- 1800 010 222
1 These criteria reflect the definitions provided in section 11 of the Disability Services Act 2006.
Last reviewed: 21 September 2009