Royal Commission Recommendations: Focus ACT's Response and Action Plan
Focus ACT's comprehensive response to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability, outlining our action plan for improvement...
Royal Commission Recommendations: Focus ACT's Response and Action Plan
The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability was established in 2019 and delivered its final report on 29 September 2023. The report contains 222 recommendations arising from 32 public hearings, 1,785 private sessions, and testimonies from over 10,000 individuals.
As a not-for-profit charitable community-based organisation, Focus ACT is taking on these recommendations to improve our ability to support clients to live their lives. This article outlines our comprehensive response and practical action plan.
What the Royal Commission Found
The Royal Commission identified several overarching themes that require immediate attention:
1. Ableism and Segregation
Segregated settings increase the risk of harm and limit life chances for people with disability.
2. Human Rights Gap
Australia falls short of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in both law and practice.
3. Power Imbalances and Poor Safeguards
People with disability often lack real choice and control over their support services.
4. Restrictive Practices
Restrictive practices are used too often without adequate safeguards.
5. Inadequate Access
Barriers to communication, transport, housing, and supports make daily life harder and less safe.
Focus ACT's Comprehensive Action Plan
1. Zero-Tolerance Safeguarding
What we have implemented:
Team and House meetings to bring visibility of activities in houses
24/7 accessible complaints channels via phone and website with 48-hour response time
Independent advocacy referrals to ADACAS, Commonwealth Ombudsman, NDIS, and Human Rights Commission
What's coming next:
Charter of Rights publication for participants and families
Unannounced service quality checks to ensure "Active Supports" delivery
2. Supported Decision-Making
What we have implemented:
Presumption of decision-making capacity with appropriate support
Communication aids where needed
Client-authored profiles capturing preferences and comfort levels
What's coming next:
Client-engaged consent checks integrated into our "Active Supports" training
3. Reducing Restrictive Practices
What we have implemented:
Positive Behaviour Support plans for long-term behaviour changes
Comprehensive staff training in Behaviour Support Plans
Active reporting and data capture systems
4. Co-Design and Lived Experience Governance
What we have implemented:
Recruiting new Board member with lived experience
Guardian and Client Advisory Forum meeting every six to eight weeks
What's coming next:
Quarterly "You Said/We Did" reports for House Meetings and Board updates
5. Workforce Safety and Competence
What we have implemented:
Enhanced supervision through Team Meetings
Robust onboarding with mandatory training
"Active Supports" training using La Trobe University model
Professor Christine Bigby engaged to audit our implementation
6. Individual Home and Living
What we have implemented:
Separation of tenancy and support provider roles
Direction to ESG for tenancy arrangements
Support for independent tenancy management
7. Cultural Safety and Equity
What we have implemented:
Recognition of individual rights and cultural identity
Support for community connections and relationships
Acknowledgement of Ngambi and Ngunnawal peoples as traditional custodians
What's coming next:
Inclusive operational review to welcome people from all backgrounds
8. Transparency and Data
What we have implemented:
Board reporting on key business metrics
Participation in open discussion forums
Internal spot checks using "Active Supports" model
House Meetings for Guardian and Client voice
How We Will Measure Success
Focus ACT is committed to demonstrating measurable impact through:
1. Safety
Reduced serious incident rates and faster resolution times
2. Choice & Control
Increased participants with decision-support plans
3. Inclusion
More people living in 1-2 person homes and engaging in open employment
4. Equity
Closing outcome gaps across different cohorts
5. Trust
Higher complaint satisfaction and accepted advocacy referrals
Our Community Commitment
The Royal Commission confirmed what many already knew: people with disability face systemic harm in everyday settings. In Canberra, Focus ACT is acting now. We've made complaints easy and safe, strengthened workforce development, reduced restrictive practices, and are shifting to smaller, individualised homes and inclusive opportunities.
As we continue implementing these changes, we remain committed to our core mission: Supporting people to live their life. The Royal Commission's recommendations provide a roadmap for improvement, and Focus ACT is proud to be a leader in this transformation of disability support services in the Canberra region.
For more information about our response to the Royal Commission recommendations or to participate in our Client and Guardian Forum, please contact us at Focus@FocusACT.org.