25/09/2023
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-25/ndis-providers-abducted-disability-funds-four-corners/102879640?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=other
Some of you may have seen this on Four Corners last night. It's a story that does not surprise us. We have had several clients living in SRS accommodation where we have been suspicious of what level of service is being provided. Where there is strong family involvement it reduces our concerns because geneally families will advocate for their family member.
However, where the family connection and support is no longer existing, as is often the case where it involves a history of serious psychosocial disability and/or substance abuse and involvement with the justice system, those clients are highly vulnerable to exploitation. And, sadly as this story shows, there are plenty of unscrupulous providers, and not just SRS providers, who take advantage.
I am not sure what the answer is. Forcing all SRS providers to be registered and therefore regularly audited may help. Having Community Visitors go in may also help. Apart from the rorting of tax dollars it is terrible that the people living in SRS' are not getting access to the quality of supports that they deserve.
People living with disabilities are being coerced into rented accommodation by unscrupulous operators who can drain their NDIS funding and leave them with little, if any, support.
