01 Jul 2021

Update to TAC position on family and friends as paid support workers

The TAC has an updated position on the employment of support workers for our clients.

To provide clarity to our clients, their family members and providers, we have updated our position on the employment of support workers for our clients.

Starting 1 July 2021, the TAC does not support the employment of family members or friends as paid support workers.

This change will help ensure that our clients are receiving quality and safe supports and services aligned to clinical need, best practice and industry standards. It will also help preserve family relationships and avoid conflicting responsibilities.

Flexibility on this position can be considered in the two circumstances below.

The TAC’s Attendant Care Provider Guidelines have been updated to set clear expectations for providers where family members are employed to provide attendant care.

Location or exceptional support need

If no other support workers are available due to location or exceptional support need, a family member or friend can be considered for new employment as a support worker.

The family member or friend can be employed by an IRQS-registered provider for up to three months while other support workers are found.

It is at the IRQS-registered provider's discretion whether a family member is employed, based on the TAC's Attendant Care Policy, Attendant Care Provider Guidelines and the provider's usual employment requirements.

This applies to new requests for employment of a family member, even if the family member currently or was previously employed by another provider.

Existing arrangements

Where existing arrangements are in place, these can continue and will be reviewed individually and on an ongoing basis by the TAC and providers, to help ensure each client is receiving safe and quality care. The person must be employed by an IRQS-registered attendant care provider where possible and meet all of its employment requirements. Providers and clinicians are integral in identifying and implementing improvements to quality and safeguarding on existing programs where possible.

The updated Attendant Care Provider Guidelines are to be adhered to for all attendant care programs.

The TAC looks forward to working collaboratively with providers to make improvements to the quality and safety of clients receiving attendant care from family members and friends.

To learn more

Clinicians and providers play a key role in supporting our clients to find the most suitable attendant care support. We would encourage you to familiarise yourself with the new policy and updated Attendant Care Provider Guidelines.

If you have questions about this change, please contact the TAC Disability Stakeholder Engagement team at disability_stakeholder_engagement@tac.vic.gov.au.


01 Jul 2021 Update to TAC position on family and friends as paid support workers The TAC has an updated position on the employment of support workers for our clients. To provide clarity to our clients, their family members and providers, we have updated our position on the employment of support workers for our clients. Starting 1 July 2021, the TAC does not support the employment of family members or friends as paid support workers. This change will help ensure that our clients are receiving quality and safe supports and services aligned to clinical need, best practice and industry standards. It will also help preserve family relationships and avoid conflicting responsibilities. Flexibility on this position can be considered in the two circumstances below. The TAC’s Attendant Care Provider Guidelines have been updated to set clear expectations for providers where family members are employed to provide attendant care. Location or exceptional support need If no other support workers are available due to location or exceptional support need, a family member or friend can be considered for new employment as a support worker. The family member or friend can be employed by an IRQS-registered provider for up to three months while other support workers are found. It is at the IRQS-registered provider's discretion whether a family member is employed, based on the TAC's Attendant Care Policy, Attendant Care Provider Guidelines and the provider's usual employment requirements. This applies to new requests for employment of a family member, even if the family member currently or was previously employed by another provider. Existing arrangements Where existing arrangements are in place, these can continue and will be reviewed individually and on an ongoing basis by the TAC and providers, to help ensure each client is receiving safe and quality care. The person must be employed by an IRQS-registered attendant care provider where possible and meet all of its employment requirements. Providers and clinicians are integral in identifying and implementing improvements to quality and safeguarding on existing programs where possible. The updated Attendant Care Provider Guidelines are to be adhered to for all attendant care programs. The TAC looks forward to working collaboratively with providers to make improvements to the quality and safety of clients receiving attendant care from family members and friends. To learn more Clinicians and providers play a key role in supporting our clients to find the most suitable attendant care support. We would encourage you to familiarise yourself with the new policy and updated Attendant Care Provider Guidelines. If you have questions about this change, please contact the TAC Disability Stakeholder Engagement team at disability_stakeholder_engagement@tac.vic.gov.au.