Improving outcomes for people with disabilities
In October 2020, the Australian Government released an early draft of an Outcomes Framework for the National Disability Strategy (NDS) and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The draft Framework is a joint effort between the NDS and the NDIS, and intends to provide a better way to measure and report on outcomes for people with disability.
This is timely, relevant and important work. In an area as complex as disability, outcomes frameworks are one way to focus attention, identify mutually reinforcing activities and strengths, and stay the course as progress is made (and sometimes un-made). Most importantly, outcomes framework provide a shared set of ‘things we agree to measure and report’ that ideally help us know if we’re on track, off track, or perhaps, not even moving.
The draft Outcomes Framework for the NDS and NDIS adopts a clear and well-tested structure based on an overall vision, a set of six domains and an outcome for each domain. These outcomes are further split into a population-level outcome (for all people) and then person specific outcomes. These person specific outcomes bring to life what the outcome would mean for an individual, such as “I can move about my local community”.
The draft Framework is currently open for public consultation — enabling those with shared interests to contribute to the framework. Essentially, the consultation (and other mechanisms) is trying to determine if these are the outcomes to focus on, and to measure, track and report on. It’s a critical step — perhaps the most critical step — in building a collaborative outcomes framework. And like all collaborative ventures, it will require decisions to be made about what’s in and what’s out: because outcomes frameworks cannot be all things to all people.
We’re looking forward to the next steps for the joint NDS/NDIS Outcomes Framework, and to its implementation in 2021 and beyond. That process will involve the selection of indicators and measures for monitoring progress against the confirmed outcomes. Selecting these indicators and measures is not without its challenges — finding the balance of those that are meaningful, valid, reliable and yet also feasible for collection is not always easy. Yet it’s this process of filtering how we will measure our outcomes that often brings clarity to an outcomes framework, and gives it meaning to those who will use it, and who will benefit from it.
The draft Outcomes framework is a great step forward in strengthening care and services for people with disabilities and their supporters. As a ‘living document’ we expect the Framework to change and evolve over time — which doesn’t mean constant reinvention, but rather careful and timely reviews, adaptations, and adjustments. And a sharing of those insights with others, who are equally committed to great outcomes for all Australians.
