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Service Development Assistance Panel - FAQ

List of FAQs for the Service Development Assistance Panel - SDAP

Service Development Assistance Panel Frequently asked questions - aged care services

Application

Can I access money under this Program?
No, not directly. The department will pay for an SDAP member to attend your service and provide assistance as required.
How do I know if my service is eligible?
Your service is eligible for assistance if you identify as one of the:

• 28 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible aged care services;
• 33 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Residential aged care services under the Aged Care Act 1997; and
• 240 (approximately) mainstream services providing aged care to remote and very remote areas or; with greater than 20% Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents or clients.

The 240 mainstream services (approximate number) will be classified eligible if they are located in remote or very remote regions and provide either Residential Care, EACH, EACHD, Community Care, Respite Care or Flexible aged care services to clients.
The remoteness of a community/service is classified using the Australian Bureau of Statistics Australian Standard Geographical Classification.
Refer to the SDAP Program Guidelines for a complete list of the eligible services.
What do I do if I my service requires Panel assistance for an emergency?
As soon as any emergency assistance is identified, the eligible service should contact the SDAP Hotline on 1800 850 744
Where can I get an application form?
This Information Package includes a copy of an application form. Alternatively you can download an application form from the website: www.health.gov.au .
Once you have completed the form, either scan (as application must include your signature) then email it to SDAP@health.gov.au, fax it to (02) 6289 3184 or post it to:
SDAP Project Officer
Remote and Indigenous Service Support Section
Residential Program Management Branch
Department of Health and Ageing
MDP 551
GPO Box 9848
Canberra ACT 2601.
Once I have submitted an application, will I receive notification?
The department will provide written notification of the receipt of your application within 48-72 hours of lodgement.
Who do I contact if I have any questions regarding the SDAP?
If you require any assistance with the application form or further information regarding the SDAP and eligibility, please contact the Hotline on 1800 850 744. You can also email any questions to SDAP@health.gov.au
Can I choose my own SDAP member?>
Yes, you can choose your own Panel Member, as long as they are on the approved list of SDAP members.
How many times can I receive assistance from the SDAP?
There is not a limit to how many times you can access the SDAP for expert assistance. However, you will be required to apply to access the SDAP, pending departmental approval prior to each SDAP placement. Once departmental approval is obtained, a Panel Member will liaise with you to assit with a detailed work plan for departmental and service approval.
Does the department have a limited amount of money for the SDAP?
The department has been allocated a set annual budget for the SDAP program over 2010/11 and 2011/12. When the annual allocation has been expended, no new assignments will be conducted until the following year.
Am I guaranteed assistance for my application?
Funding for the Service Development Assistance Panel is limited and all applications for assistance will be assessed on an as needs basis. The department cannot guarantee the provision of the panel assistance for every application received. Applications for urgent or vital assistance will take precedence over lower priority applications. Lower priority applications may be placed on a waiting list for consideration.
Who pays for the assistance?
For each assignment the department will pay the approved Panel Member to submit and complete a work plan. This will be organised prior to each assignment and will not require you to pay for anything.
Alternatively, if your service is operating with an underspend these funds may be utilised (on approval) to pay for the Panel Member.
Further, if you are applying for locum relief assistance, your service will need to meet the salary costs of the relieving staff member. Your Panel expert on locum relief will take care of all other arrangements, costs and payments, except accommodation.
Can I use the SDAP without contacting the department?
Yes, you can use the services of the SDAP without contacting the department. However, your service will be responsible for paying the chosen Panel Member. This cost will not be reimbursed by the department.
*Please note: The department encourages the use of the SDAP. However unless an application for work and payment is submitted and approved, the department will not pay for the SDAP services.

Assignment

What if the Panel Member does not turn up?
If the Panel Member does not arrive at the scheduled time, and you can’t reach them please call the department on 1800 850 744. The department will then contact the Panel Member on your behalf.
What if I have concerns with the Panel Member during their assignment?
If you experience any problems with your approved Panel Member, please call the department as soon as possible on 1800 850 744.
Will I need to have any documents ready prior to the assignment?
Yes, your nominated Panel Member will liaise with you prior to the assignment and provide you with a list of any required documents.
Will I be able to view the Panel Members work plan prior to the assignment?
Yes, the department encourages you to view the approved work plan prior to the assignment beginning. No work will commence until you have agreed to the work plan.
What if the work plan is not completed in the allocated timeframe?If the approved work plan is not completed during the allocated timeframe for that particular assignment, the department will liaise with the Panel Member to discuss a options to complete the identified work.
If the work is identified as urgent, the department can arrange for Panel Members to extend their stay until the work plan is completed.
If the work falls outside the specialised expertise of the SDAP member, an application for SDAP assistance from an alternative SDAP member can be completed.
If the work is identified as non-critical, the department will negotiate with both you and the Panel Member to arrange a mutually suitable time for completion.
What do I do if during the assignment a Panel Member identifies new work?
Upon the identification of new work, the Panel Member should notify the department as soon as possible. This will allow the department to assess the urgency of the tasks identified.
If the new work is identified as urgent, the department can arrange for Panel Members to extend their stay until the work plan is completed.
If the work is identified as non-critical, the department will negotiate with both you and the Panel Member to arrange a mutually suitable time for completion.

Evaluation

Do I have to complete an assessment of the Panel Member for each assignment?
Yes, you will need to complete a Panel Member Performance Report for any use of the SDAP. Failure to complete an assessment may jeopardise further access to the Panel.
Can I contact a Panel Member after the assignment to ask any questions and, if so, for how long after the assignment?
Yes, the department encourages you to contact Panel Members after an assignment has been conducted. Post assignment support options will be included in the paid member's workplan.
The assistance offered will take into account that you will have questions after the assignment, and Panel Members are aware that there will be minor ongoing post assignment support to you. At the end of each assignment, Panel Members should advise you how to contact them and for how long this on-going support will continue.

Service Development Assistance Panel Frequently Asked Questions - Panel Members

Application

Who is my contact in the department?
You will not have a specific contact officer. For all questions we encourage you to call the department Hotline on 1800 850 744. You can also email your questions to SDAP@health.gov.au
Can I directly contact services to advertise my expertise?
No, a Panel Member is not allowed to directly contact eligible aged care services, via telephone or email for the purpose of advertising. A one page information sheet will be given to all eligible aged care services in their region to aid with the decision making process when identifying their SDAP need. Additionally, indirect advertising such as pamphlets and flyers may be accepted, if departmental approval is obtained prior to distribution.
Who pays for the assignments?
The department will pay for all assignments that proceed through the SDAP application process.
The department will engage a member to the SDAP via a Deed of Standing Offer. For each assignment the department will assess the Panel Member’s proposed work plan and quote. Upon acceptance of the proposed work plan and quote, the department will enter into negotiations with the Panel Member via an Official Order. This will be performed before each assignment starts.
The eligible service will be required to pay for anything unless an eligible service requires Locum Relief assistance, in which case the service will need to meet the salary costs of the relieving staff member. An eligible service will also be required to pay for services if a Panel Member is contacted independently of the departmental SDAP process.
Does the department have a limited amount of money for the SDAP?
The department has been allocated a set annual budget for the SDAP program over 2010/11 and 2011/12. When the annual allocation has been expended, no new assignments will be conducted until the beginning of the next financial year.
Are all applications for assistance guaranteed to commence?
Funding for the Service Development Assistance Panel is limited and all applications for assistance will be assessed on an as needs basis. The department cannot guarantee the provision of panel assistance for every application received. Applications for urgent or vital assistance will take precedence lower priority applications. Lower priority applications may be placed on a waiting list for consideration.
Can eligible aged care services access Panel Members without the department paying for it?Yes, an aged care service can access assistance from the SDAP without it being department sanctioned and contracted. Should an aged care service engage a Panel Member outside of the SDAP they will be required to meet all costs for the assignment. Please note: The department encourages the use of the SDAP however, unless a Panel Member submits a work plan and quote and these are in turn approved bu the dpeartment, the department will not pay for SDAP services rendered.

Assignment

What if I cannot find the aged care service and cannot contact the designated person?
Please call the department as soon as possible on 1800 850 744. The department will either assit you with directions to the aged care service or contact the aged care service to help.
What if I have concerns with the eligible aged care service during my assignment?
If you experience any problems with the aged care service, please call the department as soon as possible on 1800 850 744.
Will I need to have the eligible aged care service arrange any documents prior to my assignment?
Yes, you should liaise with the aged care service prior to the assignment and provide them with a list of required documents that will aid you with the completion of the assignment.
What if the work plan is not completed in the allocated timeframe?
If the approved work plan is not completed during the allocated timeframe for the assignment, the department will liaise with you to discuss options to complete the identified work. If the work is identified as urgent, the department can arrange to extend your stay until the work plan is completed. If the work is identified as non-critical, the department will negotiate with both service and Panel Member to arrange a mutually suitable time for completion.
What do I do if I identify new work during the assignment?
If you identify new work you should notify the department as soon as possible. This will allow the department to assess the urgency of the new tasks identified. If the work is identified as urgent and falls within your expertise, the department can arrange to extend your stay until the work plan is completed. If the work is identified as non-critical, the department will negotiate with both service and Panel Member to arrange a mutually suitable time for completion. If the work identified falls outside your area of expertise an alternative Panel Member can be contacted to submit a work plan and quote.
Who will arrange my transport and accommodation for each assignment?
You are required to arrange and manage all travel and accommodation associated with each assignment. The department will pay for your travel and accommodation (providing travel costs have been deemed reasonable). An amount for the cost of travel and accommodation should be included in your quote. You will be unable to apply for a reimbursement of this cost unless your travel arrangements are adversely affected by weather restrictions, additional work etc.
Will I need a permit to access remote communities?
For some assignments in Indigenous communities external visitors to the community lands are required to hold a permit to enter the lands. At the time of your initial liaison with the eligible aged care service you should ascertain if a permit is required for your assignment. If a permit is needed, you are expected to arrange one prior to each assignment. The aged care service will be able to assist you with this.

Evaluation

Do I have to do an assessment after each assignment?
Yes, you will be required to report on each assignment prior to being remunerated. The department will make final payments in line with the payment schedule outlined in the Official Order upon the receipt and the acceptance of the final report and a correctly rendered tax invoice.

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