Each year Cara receives funding from the State Government to provide a range of services to people with disabilities and their families. In addition to those already registered and accessing services from Cara, we welcome self referrals from people with disabilities and their families and referrals from Service Coordinators in Disability SA (DSA).
 
 All potential clients of Cara services need to be registered with DSA. This is to ensure that there are adequate resources available and to ensure that the services are most appropriate to the individuals needs.
 
 Principles for Eligibility and Service Access
 In determining eligibility and access to services, Cara will consider the following principles:
• Each person seeking a service from Cara will be assessed in relation to relative need, eligibility, the availability of an appropriate service and resources
• Eligibility varies according to each service type offered by Cara 
• Cara upholds and works within the principles of equal opportunity and social justice and will not discriminate on a racial, religious or sexual basis.  Cara is committed to the inclusion of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and Torres Strait and Aboriginal backgrounds
• People with disabilities, their families, Service Coordinators and other advocates have the right to appeal any decision Cara makes about eligibility and service access. 
 
 Cara’s Referral Review Committee 
 1. The role of the committee is to:
• Assess the eligibility of referrals from Disability SA and others
• Determine the availability of services for eligible people with disabilities and their families
• Monitor reviews of services to individuals or families where such a review is required to confirm ongoing eligibility or priority of access
• Monitor the demand for services, the movement of people with disabilities between service types, the number of people with disabilities exiting services and the filling of service vacancies
• Prepare reports on referral activity and review Cara’s referral and service access process
 
2. The Committee meets fortnightly to consider all incoming referrals and determine eligibility against our Eligibility criteria. Committee representatives may meet at short notice to respond to any urgent request for services. 
 
3. In determining access to services, the Committee considers the following:
• Capacity to adequately meet the needs of the individual
• Equity of service access and provision
• Availability of the necessary resources to provide service
• Priority for service, as determined in conjunction with Disability SA 
• Compatibility with other service users
• Geographical and social networks of the individual and their family
• Impact of double disadvantage in relation to ethnicity, Aboriginality or gender

4. The Committee, will review the eligibility criteria for each service type as required, and communicate this broadly and to the DSA.

Procedure for Referrals - Receipt of Referrals
1. Referrals received from parties other than Disability SA, e.g. self referrals from a person with a  disability,  their families or Families SA, etc. will be processed as follows:
• The relevant Executive Manager will ask that the referring party contact Disability SA, in the first instance.
• Cara staff will liaise with the referring party and / or Disability SA, as appropriate, to facilitate the referral.
2. Referrals to Cara’s Camps for Kids by people with disabilities already accessing Cara services, can be made directly by contacting the Camps for Kids Coordinator.

Determining Eligibility and Access
1. The Referral Review Committee will consider the referrals received as per our Eligibility Guidelines.  The designated officer will undertake an interview with the person with a disability and their advocate prior to determining eligibility.

2. An initial enquiry pack will be provided at the point of initial interview.  Cara believes that it is important to ensure that people are informed of their rights to appeal and to have access to information on Cara’s complaints handling process.

3. If necessary, Cara will seek additional information to clarify eligibility, to determine the appropriateness of the service requested, or to determine the capacity of a service to provide the necessary support.  Further investigation may include a referral for a health assessment or to Cara’s Manual Handling Team.

Where a funded vacancy exists in accommodation services, Cara will ensure that adequate consultation is undertaken with DSA, individuals and families, to determine priorities and consider compatibility. 

Follow up of Outcomes
1. When eligibility is confirmed and a service is available, the relevant Executive Manager will advise the individual / family and the Service Co-ordinator by phone and in writing. 

2. Where eligibility is confirmed but no service vacancy exists, Cara staff will discuss any available options with the individual, their advocate and / or Service Coordinator including:
• an alternative Cara service
• recording an ‘expression of interest’ on Cara’s Referral Register to assist in determining need and  planning future services
• seeking support from, or referral to, an alternative service provider

3. Where it is determined that the person is not eligible, the Executive Manager will advise the family and the DSA Service Co-ordinator by phone and in writing.  Where possible, Cara staff will identify alternative service providers.

4. Where the outcome of the referral process is either a decision of ineligibility or no service vacancy, the Executive Manager will ensure the family and the individual are aware of their rights to appeal the decision and have access to Cara’s How to Express a Concern fact sheet.

Appeals
1. Consumers, families, advocates and DSA Service Coordinators have the right to lodge an appeal about the referral process if not satisfied with the outcome. 
2. All complaints about referral decisions will be acted upon in accordance with Cara’s Response to Incidents / Service Improvement Reporting procedure.
3. The Referral Review Committee will review organisational learning from complaints about referral decisions or processes annually or as appropriate.

Vacancies in accommodation services
 
Privacy and Management of Consumer Information

1. All information received in the referral process will be treated confidentially and in a manner consistent with Cara’s Privacy and Management of Consumer Information policy.
2. With the permission of the individual and / or their advocate, the Referral Review Committee will keep a record of potential individuals who have expressed an interest in receiving a service from Cara.  This information will be used to assist the organisation to determine demand and priorities, consider compatibility and to assist Cara to lobby for additional funding to respond to the unmet need.

Service Entry
1. Following confirmation and advice to the individual, family and Disability SA regarding eligibility and service availability, Cara staff will ensure that planning for successful service entry is commenced with the relevant Service Managers. 

2. Cara staff will ensure that the person with a disability and their family where appropriate have opportunities to visit the specific service to meet staff, other service users and discuss their expectations including:
• Standards of care and support
• Opportunities for involvement in decision making and service management
• Rights and responsibilities as a service user
• Mechanisms for service improvement and resolution of complaints

3. Each Service Manager will support the person with a disability and their family throughout the relevant planning activities to ensure the appropriate individualised support.  This  may include the development of the following:
• Individualised Lifestyle Plan or Service Agreement
• Activity and Opportunity Plans
• A Personal Profile
• A Health Plan
• Manual Handling Plan
• Oral Eating and Drinking Plan
• Communication Development Program
• Individual Support Plans, Health Advocacy Diary and independent living skill plans with the Skills Enhancement Service, as appropriate