Policy Submission: National Carer Strategy

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The Julia Farr Association makes this submission to the Australian Government’s consultation on the development of the National Carer Strategy.

The Julia Farr Association believes that the present consultation on the development of the National Carer Strategy is necessary to respond to the increased stresses and challenges experienced by family units where a member lives with disability. The Julia Farr Association has identified through our tellus© disability survey, that 82% of family member respondents reported that providing unpaid personal supports definitely had an impact on their lifestyle leading to stressful experiences.

This consultation is also timely in the current environment. There is national emphasis on responding to the social and economic barriers people living with disability and other vulnerable citizens experience with the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into Disability Care and Support and the Australian Social Inclusion Board’s research investigating breaking cycles of disadvantage. There is also commitment to “improving life for Australians with disability, their families and carers” through the National Disability Strategy. Further, there is international acknowledgement of the social disadvantage that people living with disability experience, and emphasis through the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities ratified by the Australian Government in July 2008, that measures are put in place to ensure that people living with disability can fully participate and be included within their society.

The development of the National Carer Strategy provides the opportunity to assess ways in which the services and experiences provided within our community can further reflect the rights and needs of family units where a member lives with disability.

Recommendations

Recommendation 1

That the Vision of the National Carer Strategy should be:
The family/friend unit thrives in a welcoming and supportive community, supported where necessary by a flexible and responsive service system.

Recommendation 2

A lower order (yet none-the-less crucial) vision is:
Family and friends are supported in the range of caring roles so they can maintain their health and wellbeing and take part in all aspects of life in Australia, including work, community and family life.

Recommendation 3

That the current Goal 1 be changed to:
Greater consciousness and understanding of the capacities, needs and roles of family members/friends and their natural authority in meeting the needs of the dependent family member.

Recommendation 4

That the achievements for Goal 1 be changed to:

I. The resilience of the family unit or friend unit is strengthened;

II. Health and community care professionals and government officers are conscious of the capacities, needs and roles of family members/friends;

III. Health and community care professionals and government officers are conscious of the natural authority of family members/friends;

IV. Health and community care professionals and government officers work to foster this authority and engage in equal, ethical and empowering partnerships in co-designing what will meet the needs of the family unit.

Recommendation 5

That the current Goals 3 and 4 concerning education and information be changed to the higher order goal:
Increased capacity in family members/friends, reflected in higher expectations of human services and utilising social, financial and information resources towards a positive vision for the person living with disability and the family.

Recommendation 6

Conceptualise all goals through the notion of Citizenhood and Personhood for the person living with disability, not through a model of Tragedy and Burden.

Recommendation 7

Greater consciousness and understanding of the capacities, needs and role of family members/friends and their natural authority in meeting the needs of the dependent family member.

Recommendation 8

Increased capacity in family members/friends, reflected in higher expectations of human services and utilising social, financial and information resources towards a positive vision for the person living with disability and the family.