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There are considerable barriers in accessing regular allied health services in regional, rural and remote regions of Australia. Issues of long wait lists, lack of choice of specialists, and extensive travel, are underpinned by difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff in these areas.
Developing the Allied Health Assistant (AHA) workforce is a promising strategy for delivering regular and culturally competent therapy services to participants in their local community. AHA’s can provide local therapeutic and program-related support under the direct supervision of Allied Health Professionals (AHP), including occupational therapists, speech pathologists, and behaviour support practitioners.
The AHP may be providing support either remotely or using a fly-in, fly-out model of support. Locally based AHA’s have an intimate knowledge of their local community’s needs and can be provided with knowledge and skills that are essential to ensure supports are delivered professionally and in line with the directions of an experienced AHP. This model can support the timely delivery of intensive services to participants in remote areas, and has the potential to build capacity in the local community to support more individuals with a disability.
Aspect has been awarded funding under NDIS Jobs and Market Funding for a project that will develop an Allied Health Assistant (AHA) workforce to deliver professional, culturally competent services to participants in their local community.
Project Aims
Aspect will recruit and employ Allied Health Assistants to work under the guidance of Aspect Allied Health Professionals in delivering therapy services to participants in targeted remote locations
Aspect will provide training and supervision to Allied Health Assistants including enrolment and participation in TAFE accredited AHA training, regular Aspect internal face-to-face and online training, regular supervision outside of regular client service delivery
Aspect will deliver services using an AHP/AHA model of support for participants in their local communities.
Project Benefits
The disability sector will benefit from the growth in services provision it can offer in remote locations. The keys to success that are learnt through the evaluation of the above activities will enable other disability organisations to implement an AHP/AHA model successfully for the participants they support. Finally, the activities presented above will ultimately benefit individuals with a disability including being on the autism spectrum in isolated regions where access to Allied Health intervention is limited.
Research Evaluation
Aspect has partnered with The University of Sydney Centre for Disability Research and Policy to investigate and evaluate the Allied Health Assistant (AHA) model for NDIS participants.
The research identified aspects of allied health assistant models of service delivery that are important in the disability sector to differentiate these models from the existing and dominant medical model of service delivery.
A successful model
Aspect therapy has been successfully delivering NDIS services to the Norfolk Island community using the Allied Health Assistant model since July 2018. It is our intention to replicate this model across other communities using NDIS Jobs and Market Funding to further support under-served areas of Australia. For more information on the Norfolk Island initiative, check out the following NDIS videos:
Frequently Asked Questions
Can NDIS participants and their caregivers access the support of an Allied Health Assistant (AHA) without accessing the support of an Allied Health Professional (AHP)?
The AHP is responsible for the development and monitoring of the therapy program. The AHA will work with the participant and the family on a regular basis delivering the therapy program. The AHP will team regularly with the AHA around the participant’s progress and will modify the program accordingly.
Can the AHA transport the participant to and from therapy sessions?
NDIS participants and/or their caregivers are responsible for any transport required in getting the participant to/from therapy sessions. In most cases the AHA will however travel to the participant.
Do caregivers have to attend the therapy sessions provided by the AHA?
In order to build caregiver capacity so that they can continue to support the participant outside of the therapy session to work towards meeting their NDIS goals, they may wish to attend the sessions. The AHA will keep the family informed of the strategies implemented and will demonstrate during the session what they can do to best support the participant.
Can the AHA attend meetings with caregivers in relation to their child/the participant
The AHA can attend meetings with the participant or their family in relation to the participant should they require a support person to attend with them.
How often can participants and their caregivers receive supports from the AHA?
Session length and frequency is flexible and will be guided by the family and the participant’s needs. Generally sessions are conducted weekly or fortnightly, although in some instances the participant may require more intensive supports for a short period of time.
Can the AHA complete formal assessments?
An AHA cannot perform any formal assessments independently of an AHP. The AHA may be in attendance during a formal assessment or may assist the AHP in the completion of formal assessments.
How often will participants and their caregivers see the AHP?
There will be face-to-face visits with the AHP at least four times per year (once a term). The AHP will team with the AHA fortnightly to discuss the participant’s progress and to modify the program as appropriate. It is likely that the family will also team with the AHP via TeleTherapy facilitated by the AHA. Caregivers can request a TeleTherapy session with the AHP at any time and can also contact the AHP directly by phone or email.
Where will the AHA conduct the therapy sessions?
Sessions can occur in the home, early childhood care setting/school, group home and the community. The venue is decided in collaboration with the family and the participant. Generally the venue deemed the most appropriate to best support the participant in meeting their identified goals is agreed upon.
I already access a disability support worker (DSW). Can the AHP liaise with the DSW in terms of my program instead of the AHA?
The role of the AHA is to build the skills of the participant. The AHA can build the capacity of the DSW so that they can continue to support the participant outside of the therapy session to practice these skills in their day to day dealings with the participant.
What happens after the project is completed? Can I still access the support of the AHA?
Aspect aims to build sustainable services that will continue at the completion of the project. Therefore, caregivers will be able to continue to access the AHA/AHP services following the project period.