A Dunedin woman who left a job looking after an autistic man because she felt unsafe says the Ministry of Health needs to change the way it dishes out money to families who directly employ carers.
Figures released to the Otago Daily Times reveal "individualised" funding, designed to give disabled people more autonomy and choice, has risen dramatically in the past three years. It totalled $15.2 million in 2010-11, $8.7 million in 2009-10, and $5.9 million in 2008-09.
The woman, who asked to be identified only as Rebecca, recently left the care job after about three weeks because of safety concerns. She had more than 10 years' experience as a carer, and feared a younger person might have struggled on.
Described by his family as "high functioning", the man exhibited violent behaviour, such as punching walls, and acted inappropriately and aggressively in public. His mother, with whom Rebecca liaised, lived in another centre.
Appeals fell on deaf ears, as the client's mother expected Rebecca to cope with the pressures. Wages were managed by an external agency, whose involvement with the carer was administrative, and Rebecca felt "left out" of the support loop.
The Government needed to review the scheme, which appeared to be a "money-saving venture".
Ministry of Health disability support services group manager Anne O'Connell, through a spokeswoman, said the scheme was monitored through contracted organisations which worked closely with the client or their support person.
"[Contracted organisations] provide ... set-up and coaching, an invoicing mechanism and monitor and report to the Ministry of Health," she said.
Support networks were established for disabled people using the scheme so they could share their experiences with others.
They were encouraged to be good employers, and operate like a small business.
Services had to be "delivered and verified before payment".
Corstorphine Community Baptist Trust chief executive Wendy Halsey said individualised funding carried significant risk for carers and service users.
Unless they were experienced in employing people in the community care sector, it was inappropriate for people to be charged with the task.
Organisations such as the Corstorphine trust, a community care provider, were obliged to provide a safe work environment, cover absences and annual leave, and provide professional development.
Even with support, the average person would find it difficult to provide a safe work environment.
Fully involved external agencies cost extra because of overheads, but it was money well spent because of the risks inherent in carer-client situations, Miss Halsey said.
