AASW Conference 2019: Early bird extended to 16 August

The AASW Conference 2019 will bring together a diverse range of speakers focusing on a wide range of themes in relation to challenging inequality. Sessions will focus on Indigenous justice, ageing, climate change, disability, family violence, health, mental health, housing poverty and the social work profession to name a few. The themes will also provide a variety of perspectives including practice, policy, research and education. See our draft program.

Have you registered yet? Time is running out for the early bird rate. Register today and don't miss this opportunity. See you in Adelaide, 7-9 November 2019. Early bird has been extended for members until 16 August.

Our Keynote Speakers and Dinner Speaker have been announced.

International Year of Indigenous Languages

The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2019 the International Year of Indigenous Languages. As such, this will be a key theme throughout the conference as we look to raise awareness and recognise the richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages culture. This will include a keynote from Professor Tom Calma AO and a particular focus on incorporating Indigenous language sessions and content throughout the days. The conference provides another opportunity to improve the preservation and promotion of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.

	AASW Conference 2019 dinner speaker Debbie Kilroy

Have you booked to attend the dinner of AASW Conference 2019? Debbie Kilroy will be the dinner speaker at the conference in Adelaide. As the CEO of Sisters Inside, Debbie is a tireless advocate for the rights and interests of women and actively works to end violence and dismantle the prison industry. Debbie has spearheaded numerous ground-breaking programs to break the cycle of imprisonment. Debbie uses her position to empower criminalised women and girls to have their voices, interests and priorities heard. Debbie is passionate about supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls to become leaders.

She is a social worker and the first and only former prisoner to be admitted as a legal practitioner in Australia.

To hear Debbie’s inspirational story, register for our conference, as well as the dinner in Adelaide in November.

	International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples - 9 August

This Friday, 9 August is the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples (IDOWIP), with its theme being Indigenous Languages. 2019 is the UN-declared Year of Indigenous Languages.

On IDOWIP, we reflect on the strength and resilience of Indigenous peoples in Australia, and across the world, celebrating what has been achieved while recognising how much more needs to be done.

Read our media release, and listen to a new podcast episode on AASW Podcast, featuring Candice Butler, AASW Queensland Branch Management Committee member. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

	Homelessness Week 4-10 August

During National Homelessness Week, which is 4-10 August this year, Australian social workers are calling for more investment in affordable housing to end homelessness.

The AASW supports Homelessness Australia’s ‘Everybody’s Home’ campaign, which calls for a national strategy and a bipartisan plan to end homelessness in Australia by 2030.

	Homelessness Scope of Practice launched

We are pleased to launch our first new Scope of Practice document on Homelessness during Homelessness Week. 

Our Scope of Practice documents have been reviewed and will be re-launched this year in coming months.

	AASW Submissions and Inquiries

AASW's branches have social policy and advocacy issues they are pursuing and seek input from members. Be in touch with your AASW Branch to contribute to the policy areas that matter to you.

The AASW is currently working on the following submissions:

• Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety update
  • Submissions to the Royal Commission close on 15 September, and we are considering the next steps in our consultation process to enable as many members with experience of the aged care system as possible to provide input. If you were unable to participate in our consultation sessions, but would like to contribute to our submission please contact socialpolicy@aasw.asn.au 
• Migration Legislation Amendment (Regional Processing Cohort) Bill 2019 [Provisions]
• SA Social Work Registration Bill Submission
• Migration Amendment (Repairing Medical Transfers) Bill 2019 [Provisions]
• Adequacy of Newstart and related payments and alternative mechanisms to determine the level of income support payments in Australia
• NDIS Planning

The AASW has recently made the following submissions:

• MBS Review
• Queensland’s Mental Health Commission consultation - Improving physical health for people with a lived experience of mental illness or problematic alcohol and other drug use: A Case For Change.

All submissions are posted to the social policy webpage when we have permission to make them public (as required).

Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety has published details of the scope and purpose for its three upcoming Melbourne hearings, to be held 9-11 September and 13 September, 7-9 October and 11 October, and 14-18 October 2019.

For details please go to the Hearings page. For further information about the Royal Commission please consult the website.

Victorian Royal Commission into Mental Health

The AASW has recently made a submission to the Victorian Royal Commission into Mental Health. Our submission was developed in extensive collaboration with our members who have significant experience in the field and the see the impacts of the current system every day. In our submission we argue that in order address our current mental health challenges, the Victorian government needs to ensure a person centred, rights based, multifaceted and systemic approach to service delivery. We will release the submission shortly.

	Department of Veterans Affairs – delay to changes announced

The Department of Veteran Affairs had announced that changes to its Treatment Cycle Initiative (TCI), would be introduced on 1 July 2019.

AHPA liaised with Minister Chester, following expressions of concern by its members, including AASW, on the short notice of these changes and the absence of preparation and guidance provided to the allied health sector to facilitate a successful transition to the TCI for both clients and providers.

The Minister has now announced that the changes will begin on October 1, 2019 to provide more time for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to meet with stakeholders.

We have been advised that this means that between 1 July 2019 and 30 September 2019 there are no changes to existing referral arrangements for DVA clients, including those clients who have a Totally and Permanently Incapacitated (TPI) Gold Card.

AASW members should continue to provide DVA clients with clinically necessary treatment under existing referrals.

For further information about the treatment cycle.

	Medicare Benefits Schedule Review update

Eating Disorders: AMHSWs eligible to deliver services under the new MBS items

The new MBS items announced by the Minister for Health, Greg Hunt in December 2018 will come into effect on 1 November 2019 and will include:

• A dedicated single Medicare Benefits Scheme item number for eating disorder treatment for those with severe and complex illness, delivering up to 60 Medicare funded sessions of treatment – 40 psychotherapeutic and 20 dietetic across the range of eating disorders – anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and atypical presentations
• Diagnosis by a GP and mental health practitioner recognising that these psychiatric illnesses have a significant physical impact and integrated treatment is essential.

Although it has not been formally reported, AASW can confirm that the ED psychological services will mirror Better Access, and these services will be provided by AMHSWs, clinical psychologists, registered psychologists and occupational therapists as per the existing MBS items for focussed psychological services.

The implementation of new MBS items for patients with anorexia nervosa and patients with other eating disorders who have complex needs will also provide for:

• the development of a treatment and management plan by a GP
• the development of a treatment and management plan by a paediatrician or psychiatrist
• review of the treatment and management plan by a GP
• review of a patient managed under a management plan by a psychiatrist or paediatrician
• dietetic services.

AASW is sitting on the Implementation Advisory Group for the new items and we have provided input to explanatory notes and practice guidelines. More communications will be released during August.

	Eating Disorders: AMHSWs eligible to deliver services under the new MBS items

The much-needed MBS items announced by the Minister for Health, Greg Hunt in December 2018  will come into effect on 1 November 2019 and will include:

• A dedicated single Medicare Benefits Scheme item number for eating disorder treatment for those with severe and complex illness, delivering up to 60 Medicare-funded sessions of treatment – 40 psychotherapeutic and 20 dietetic across the range of eating disorders – anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and atypical presentations
• Diagnosis by a GP and mental health practitioner recognising that these psychiatric illnesses have a significant physical impact and integrated treatment is essential.

Although it has not been formally reported, AASW can confirm that the Eating Disorder psychological services will mirror Better Access, and these services will be provided by AMHSWs, clinical psychologists, registered psychologists and occupational therapists as per the existing MBS items for focused psychological services.

The implementation of new MBS items for patients with anorexia nervosa and patients with other eating disorders who have complex needs will also provide for:

• the development of a treatment and management plan by a GP
• the development of a treatment and management plan by a paediatrician or psychiatrist
• review of the treatment and management plan by a GP
• review of a patient managed under a management plan by a psychiatrist or paediatrician
• dietetic services.

AASW is sitting on the Implementation Advisory Group for the new items.

	Horizon Career Centre

Are you looking to take the next step in your career? Do you have a role to advertise? Have a look at our Horizon Career Centre, for social work roles.

Members can create free locum listings.

	Mental Health Week photography competition

Out from the Mist is a photography competition about mental health which aims to disrupt the dominant stereotypes of mental illness through showcasing photographs by people with mental illness, and those close to them, including friends, families and carers. The competition closes on 15 September, and aims to capture the breadth of people's diversity, from the experiences of pain and suffering, caring and empathy for loved ones, through to the elation of conquering obstacles. 

The competition is supported by groups including the Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia. The aim is to reduce stigma.

To find out more, see the website www.outfromthemist.com or email Michael at Michael@outfromthemist.com.