Community Visitors Annual Report 2024-2025

The Community Visitors Disability Services Board recommends that the State Government:

1. Advocate to the Commonwealth Government for a participant centric, standardised incident reporting mechanism, which enables consistent data collection and analysis.
2. To promote Part 12 A of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (Vic) to ensure people who exit Specialist Disability Accommodation access the safeguarding functions they are entitled to receive.
3. Advocate for greater bi-directional information sharing between the Office of the PublicAdvocate, the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, and the National Disability Insurance Agency.
4. Advocate for the provision of durable decision-making supports for residents with limited or no informal support networks, particularly former residents of institutions.
5. Support the prioritisation of individuals experiencing resident incompatibility for timely assessment, tailored support services, and targeted interventions to promote safety, wellbeing, and sustainable living arrangements. 
6. Advocate for people with disability to decide where, how, and with whom they live, with access to funding that reflects individual needs and preferences.
7. Commit to replacing or renewing all Homes Victoria legacy SDA properties within three years. Such a commitment should include commencing engagement with residents at least 24 months prior to housing transition to support informed, person-centred decisions.
8. Continue to work with and promote the insights of Community Visitors in relation to the Commonwealth Government’s exploration of national consistency for state and territory led
   community visitor schemes.
9. Provide adequate and sustained funding to ensure Community Visitors can effectively fulfil their legislative functions. This includes:
   1. Additional resources to support attendance at the growing number of visitable properties.
   2. Support for training, data systems, and coordination to strengthen safeguarding outcomes for people with disability.

The Community Visitors Mental Health Services Board recommends that the State Government:

1. Provide annual data on the cumulative impact of bed closures due to renovations, upgrades, or service relocations. This reporting should follow a consistent format and include:
   1. The total number of beds affected each year
   2. The reason for closure
   3. The net impact on service availability.
2. Further promote the implementation of Safewards practice change, including funding to attract and retain skilled professionals.
3. Identify clear processes to support consistent, best-practice implementation of the Intensive Care Framework across services.
4. Provide annual data on consumer readmissions within 90 days to enable greater awareness of system flow and demand.
5. Implement training and systems to overcome barriers to Community Visitor access to incident reports. This should include:
   1. Protocols aligned with the intent of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 (Vic) and privacy legislation;
   2. Mandatory, co-designed training for health service staff to ensure consistent application of access rights;
   3. A formal mechanism to document and escalate instances of non-compliance, including guidance for Community Visitors on raising concerns and tracking resolution; and
   4. Integration with existing departmental guidance and safeguarding reforms to reinforce the oversight role of Community Visitors.
6. Ensure resourcing of the Community Visitors Program aligns with the expansion of mental health services following the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System. This includes the provision of an interim funding boost ahead of the next Memorandum of Understanding to maintain safeguarding coverage and program effectiveness.

The Community Visitors Residential Services Board recommends that the State Government:

1. Amend the Supported Residential Services (Community Visitors) Act 2010 (Vic) to include a power of referral to the Secretary of the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, the Social Services Regulator, and the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
2. Support the formalisation of clear protocols or Memoranda of Understanding between the Social Services Regulator and the Office of the Public Advocate to establish information sharing arrangements and avenues to prioritise, escalate and maximise learnings from complaints.
3. Pursue the formal recognition of Community Visitor safeguards in the NDIS Act and related policy frameworks to enable effective information sharing with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission and the National Disability Insurance Agency.
4. Support the establishment of a dedicated pathway for the Residential Services Board to report concerns regarding NDIS providers and support workers directly to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
5. Extend the funding and scope of Community Visitor Abuse Referrals to incorporate referrals from the Residential Services Stream.
6. Develop a clear policy position on Supported Residential Service (SRS) providers delivering both accommodation and NDIS-funded services (particularly Supported Independent Living and/or Support Coordination). This policy position should address risks of funds misuse, ensure residents receive meaningful support, and manage potential conflicts of interest, with oordination across existing oversight mechanisms.
7. Build capability across the Supported Residential Services (SRS) sector by:
   1. Requiring SRS providers, managers, and staff to undertake industry-specific training and ongoing professional development.
   2. Exploring the role of a peak body to promote best practice, support workforce development, and drive continuous improvement across the sector
8. Review the potential role of Homes Victoria in supporting SRS residents to access social and community housing options.
9. Undertake a comprehensive review of the key performance indicators for the Supported Residential Services Outreach and Assistance Program to promote the wellbeing of residents.
10. Resource the Community Visitors Program to fully deliver its vital safeguarding role, including investment in technological innovation and operational capacity.
11. Implement adult safeguarding legislation, as recommended by the State Coroner.