The revised High Intensity Support Skills Descriptors (HISSD) have been updated to align with contemporary practice and expert advice. These changes have been in effect from 1 February 2023.
They now have a greater focus on participant engagement and control, which is embedded in the descriptors. The descriptors cover a range of skills and competencies that are required for delivering high-intensity support services, such as managing risk, providing personal care, supporting communication, and promoting community participation.
The revised descriptors broadly align with Module 1 High Intensity Daily Personal Activities (HIDPAs) and include, but are not limited to the following changes:
- A new descriptor has been included to support participants with dysphagia.
- The stoma care skill descriptor has been integrated into descriptors for bowel care, enteral feeding, tracheostomy support, ventilator support, and supporting people who use urinary catheters.
- The wound care skills descriptor is now included as a skill descriptor rather than additional advice.
- Some of the revised skill descriptors include optional guidance to support common applications. For example, the skill descriptors for subcutaneous injections include guidance when supporting a participant to manage diabetes.
- The skill descriptor for workers who support participants to manage epilepsy and seizures remains as an additional descriptor.
- The skill descriptor to support mealtime preparation and delivery, which was in the previous version as an additional descriptor, is now included as an additional capability in the workforce capability framework.
The revised HISSD also have an emphasis on confirming the currency of skills and knowledge and providing training as required when there is a change in participant support plans or support workers. They do not represent significant changes in the scope of worker responsibility but provide more detailed guidance on skills and knowledge.
Who are the HISSD for and how do you use them?
The HISSD provide guidance for NDIS providers, workers, auditors, and participants. They describe the skills and knowledge that NDIS providers should ensure their workers have when supporting participants with high intensity daily personal activities (HIDPA) as defined in the NDIS Practice Standards. NDIS service providers should ensure their workers are aware of these expectations and receive the training and support they need to achieve them.
The HISSD provide guidance on appropriate training for workers delivering HIDPAs, including periodic reassessment and refresher training. Auditors use the descriptors as a guide when auditing the high intensity daily personal activities modules. Providers should be able to demonstrate during their three-year audit, mid-term audit, or if required for compliance, that the workers have the necessary skills and training.
Participants, their family, and their support network can use the HISSDs to understand the quality of support they can expect and as a reference when talking with service providers and selecting workers. Trainers should use the HISSDs to ensure the training they offer equips workers with the skills and knowledge expected to provide high intensity supports.
Maintaining compliance
NDIS providers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the NDIS Practice Standards and the High-Intensity Support Skills Descriptors to ensure they are providing high-quality, safe and respectful services to people with disability. Compliance with the practice standards and skills descriptors is essential for NDIS providers to maintain their registration with the NDIS Commission.
