Recommendation one
It is recommended that:
- A. The Australian Government provide clarification to existing and potential service users and YPIRAC Program staff regarding continuance or exit arrangements for the Program beyond the current five year commitment.
- B. If the Program does not continue beyond the current five-year commitment, recurrent funding is secured to ensure the needs of the current Program clients are met into the future.
Recommendation two
It is recommended that:
- A. Future YPIRAC Program Bilateral Agreements refer only to the relocation of YPIRAC or diversion of younger people at risk of entry into RAC.
- B. The provision of enhancements for YPIRAC is continued under a different Program structure.
Recommendation three
It is recommended that:
- A. The extent of unmet need of YPIRAC in regional and remote areas be determined in consultation with jurisdictions.
- B. The feasibility of employing, where appropriate, regional YPIRAC coordinators to support the development of tailored responses to YPIRAC clients, particularly in jurisdictions that are highly decentralised, be explored.
- Jurisdictions which have successfully developed funding pools with existing programs in regional or remote areas be requested to share their experiences and the processes undertaken in establishing these.
Recommendation four
It is recommended that:
- A. Analysis of demographic projections is conducted to forecast the changing needs of YPIRAC Program clients and the resource implications of this over the next decade.
- B. The Australian Government provide support to YPIRAC Program staff to ensure that they understand and can respond to the transition planning needs of Program clients and their families.
- C. The provision of transition planning training for organisations and staff delivering services to YPIRAC be identified as a priority in the national training agenda developed as part of the Commonwealth, State and Territory Disability Agreement (CSTDA).
Recommendation five
It is recommended that:
- A. In consultation with jurisdictions, a template be developed to support the consistent collection and reporting of qualitative data in the future intake of YPIRAC Program clients. Given that a number of jurisdictions are expecting a dramatic intake increase in years four and five of the Program, the development of this template should be completed as a priority.
- B. Jurisdictions be requested to forward to the Department of Families, Housing, Community Service and Indigenous Affairs, any particularly significant qualitative data collected to date, and that this be reviewed as part of the final Program evaluation.
Recommendation six
It is recommended that research into the specific needs of YPIRAC Program clients with ABI be undertaken to identify:
- Whether their entry into the Program has been to their benefit
- How the Program can best ensure access to the rehabilitation services for client with ABI within a community setting
- How different jurisdictions are defining the ‘at risk’ client group under PO2, and the impact this is having on the client group, particularly clients with ABI.
Recommendation seven
It is recommended that a cost-benefit analysis of the Program be commissioned, and that it considers:
- the adequacy of the funding for placement, diversion or enhancing quality of life of YPIRAC Program clients by comparing the level of YPIRAC service demand/need, and the cost of Program implementation
- the health benefits and quality of life outcomes for people involved in the Program.