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Psychiatry & mental health

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Psychiatric Disability Rehabilitation and Support Services (PDRSS)

The non-government psychiatric disability rehabilitation and support services sector is a core component of specialist mental health services complementing clinical mental health services. PDRSS are managed by Non-Government Organisations and focus on addressing the disability associated with mental illness, the impact of mental illness on a person’s daily activities and the social disadvantage resulting from illness. They work within a recovery model to maximise people’s opportunities to live successfully in the community.

Target group

Psychiatric disability rehabilitation and support services are aimed at people with serious mental illness and associated significant psychiatric disability. Services cater primarily for people aged between 16 and 64 years. The precise eligibility criteria will depend on the type of service or program being offered. Consumers receiving case management services from the public mental health service who are referred by the service are automatically eligible for support from the PDRSS.

Mental health service provider responsibilities

The Victorian Department of Health has a web site with more information about the responsibilities of mental health service providers.

The Mental Health Act

The Victorian Mental Health Act 2014 provides a legislative framework for the care, treatment and protection of people with mental illness in Victoria.

Chief Psychiatrist’s Guidelines

Victoria’s Chief Psychiatrist issues clinical guidelines containing specialist advice on aspects of clinical service. These guidelines inform mental health practitioners and services about operation and clinical issues in relation to the Mental Health Act 2014 (Vic).

Funding

Your organisation may be funded through multiple funding streams. Funding provided by the Victorian government may be managed through a service agreement between the relevant department and the organisation.

Funded Agency Channel

The Funded Agency Channel (FAC) website provides information for organisations funded through a service agreement by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Department of Education and Training (DET).

Some of the information on the website can be viewed publicly. If your organisation is funded through a service agreement, you should also have access to the secure section of the FAC website called MyAgency. This will allow you to see:

  • your organisation's service agreement information for the current, future and previous financial years
  • access to payment schedules, invoices and the progress of variations to agreements
  • payment advice relating to the service agreement
  • organisation performance reports for funded activities
  • departmental policies, standards and guidelines, data collections and other reporting requirements
  • relevant legislation.

Visit the Funded Agency Channel website for further information.

Service Agreement Information Kit

The Service Agreement Information Kit for Funded Organisations provides organisations funded by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Department of Education and Training (DET) with online information about service agreements. It contains information about:

  • the standard service agreement terms and conditions
  • funding, payments and price indexation
  • specific Human Services, Health and Education policies
  • other relevant information for delivering services funded by DHHS and DET.

View the Service Agreement Information Kit for further information.

Department of Human Services Policy and Funding Plan

The Department of Human Services (DHS) Policy and Funding Plan provides information regarding DHS objectives, strategic intent and budget. It also provides descriptive information on service activities, performance measures, data collection requirements, service standards and guidelines.

The plan is produced every three years and updated annually. If you have a funding arrangement (service agreement) with DHS, you should use the plan in conjunction with your service agreement or statement of priorities.

If you have questions about responsibilities related to funding to your organisation has received:

  • check your agreement with the funding provider
  • contact the funding provider.

Further Information

  • Managing your finances

    for information about managing your organisation's finances, including financial records and reporting.

  • Managing people

    for information on managing staff, volunteers and contractors in your organisation, including workplace health and safety.

  • Managing your organisation

    for information about managing your organisation, including meetings and other constitutional obligations.

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