Community Visitors Scheme Australia : Department of Social Services DSS

Organization : Department of Social Services
Service Name : CVS Community Visitors Scheme
Country: Australia

Website : https://agedcare.health.gov.au/older-people-their-families-and-carers/community-visitors-scheme

Community Visitors Scheme:

The Community Visitors Scheme (CVS) is available to recipients of Australian Government subsidised residential aged care services or Home Care Packages who have been identified by their aged care provider as experiencing or at risk of experiencing social isolation, whether for social or cultural reasons or because of disability.

Related : Department of Social Services National Rental Affordability Scheme Australia : www.statusin.org/7065.html

The CVS funds organisations, called Auspices, across Australia to engage volunteers to visit socially isolated recipients of Government Subsidised Aged Care services (residential aged care and home care packages).

People receiving HACC services are not eligible.

The CVS matches community volunteers with aged care recipients who provide one-to-one visits on a regular basis with in residential care setting or for people receiving home care packages. Group visits with-in the residential homes are also part of the CVS. Any care recipient whose quality of life could be improved by the companionship of a regular community visitor can be referred to the CVS, by their aged care provider.

The Australian Government funds a variety of community-based organisations (known as CVS auspices) to carry out the task of:
** recruiting, training and supporting volunteer community visitors
** matching volunteers to care recipients
** supporting visitor-resident relationships

The Community Visitors Scheme operates in every state and territory.

How do I become a CVS volunteer?:
** A community visitor is a person who volunteers to visit and befriend a care recipient receiving Government Subsidised Aged Care services (residential aged care and home care packages).

** Aged care recipients come from a variety of different social and cultural backgrounds, and community visitors from all backgrounds are welcome. Volunteering as a community visitor can be a rewarding experience. By befriending an older person, volunteers have a chance to make a positive difference to the care recipient’s life – as well as their own.

Become a CVS volunteer visitor :
** Volunteering as a community visitor can be a rewarding experience. By befriending an older person, volunteers have a chance to make a positive difference to the care recipients life – as well as their own.

** Aged care recipients come from a variety of social and cultural backgrounds, and community visitors from all backgrounds are welcome.
** Anyone interested in becoming a visitor should contact the relevant state/territory Network Member.

CVS Frequently Asked Questions :
Information about the delivery of the CVS can be found in four sets of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) each aimed at:
** CVS Auspices;
** visitors;
** providers; and
** consumers.

CVS Video :
You can also watch a 30 minute video about the CVS, ‘Fostering social inclusion through the Community Visitors Scheme’.

** This video provides a description of the CVS and illustrates the value and benefits derived from the CVS from the point of view of the following stakeholders :
** funded organisations;
** volunteer visitors; and
** the care recipients.

CVS Review :
** The Australian Government has completed the review of the CVS and released the final report.

** The department engaged Australian Healthcare Associates (AHA) to undertake the review. The review was informed by a comprehensive stakeholder consultation process, including an online discussion paper which closed on 2 December 2016.

** The report presents a range of options to enhance the CVS and to align it with other aged care support programs within the context of current and ongoing aged care reforms. The government is considering these options.

** Download or view the Review of the Community Visitors Scheme Final Report.
** For enquiries about the CVS email CVS@health.gov.au.

CVS State and Territory Network Members :
** CVS Network Members are appointed by Auspices to represent the network of Auspices in their state or territory.

** The Network Members have responsibility for facilitating links between CVS Auspices and the Department of Health to promote innovation and self-sufficiency amongst CVS Auspices, as well as providing an efficient and effective communication and consultation mechanism between CVS Auspices and the Department.

CVS Services for Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Intersex people :
As part of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) Ageing and Aged Care Strategy the Government made grants available from 2013-14 to expand the CVS to cater for the needs of LGBTI people.

The Government currently funds four CVS Auspices to provide LGBTI CVS services in:
** New South Wales & the Australian Capital Territory;
** Victoria;
** Queensland; and
** Western Australia.