In this session, Judith McDonnell will weave her reflections of her career into a history of MH policy and practice from the 1970s to where we are now. She will use her experience as a lens to examine de-institutionalisation and community care and the transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). She will pose the question: Is the NDIS the missing piece of the mental health jigsaw? Clinical services are expected to facilitate timely and equitable access to care that is matched to individual needs. What gaps are preventing or limiting the achievement of the aspiration to enable people with psychosocial disability to live contributing lives with social and economic participation.
Years of experience would suggest that non-clinical support services are an important piece of the puzzle. The gains achieved by the Partners in Recovery program highlight the possibilities when there is an effective and respectful alliance between the clinical and non-clinical sectors with the consumer at the centre. How can we influence the implementation of the NDIS to ensure the lessons from the successful models inform current and future policy decision?
I believe we have cause for optimism and that the evidence will emerge to support this view.

Mental health workforce development, person centred-planning and recovery oriented practice are acknowledged as key features of the current mental health agenda. To effectively transition to the NDIS environment, organisations will require an agile and flexible workforce that is equipped to capably deliver person-centred practices.
This presentation focuses on the journey of one mental health service - Break Thru People Solutions, as we navigate the path to achieve true person-centredness. Whilst recognising that person-centred planning is a feature of both the disability and mental health sector in NDIS, we explore the differences by defining the unique characteristics of person centred thinking as it relates to mental health. We will illustrate the evolution of our progress by:
(a) showcasing our mental-health specific, Person Centred Champions Program which aims to build practitioner capacity and facilitate work force planning in environments requiring an adaptable workforce that is responsive to individual need
and;
(b) providing details about our experiences with the Mental Health Recovery Star™; a tool for supporting and measuring change when working with adults who are accessing mental health support services

Most Mental Health services have traditionally been block funded and this has determined many of the systems and processes that have been implemented in services. This reliance on block funding, and the certainty it brings, will soon be coming to an end, however, many service providers have become more dependant on these models than they realise.

This is not only a result of the introduction of the NDIS, but other service funding models will also be changing. Block funding will largely be replaced by service specific funding models where service providers are paid per occasion of service. Funders are also seeking greater efficiencies from service providers, want to see more evidence of outcomes achieved and the net economic benefit of their services.

These changes have been introduced in the health care systems in other countries, but also in other sectors in Australia. By considering these lessons, Mental Health services can better prepare for these changes and ensure that their systems and processes adapt to these changes, that they can evidence their outcomes and remain competitive whilst still maintaining their values base.