This is an excerpt from the article, Self-direction in regional Queensland: making it work, by Jane Hudson. In this section, Jane talks about the decision she made to work with a Host Provider and the early steps she took to start the process of self-direction. 

First steps: choosing our method of self-direction

After talking with other people who are directing their own funding, we decided to work with a Host Provider rather than using a system of Direct Payments. This meant that the Host Provider would actually receive the funding from the Department rather than the money coming directly to us. At that time there was no service in our town that works as a Host Provider for people who are self-directing. This is the case for a lot of people in regional Queensland but it does not necessarily mean that people in our situation cannot be involved in self-direction. We could have chosen to do Direct Payments but we wanted the extra layer of support from a Host Provider.

We were happy with this idea because it meant that the Host Provider would do as much or as little as we wanted in terms of helping with administration, recruiting, payroll etc. I knew that I wanted to concentrate on getting the right kind of support around Sarah rather than worrying at that stage about acquittal of funds and other administrative parts of the business. Now, after a year of self-direction, I would feel more confident to take on other responsibilities. I know that I can negotiate this with the Host Provider if I want to.

Key Point: Be clear about how much or how little you want to take on; research Host Providers so that you feel comfortable with the people you will be working with; take charge from the early stages.

Finding a Host Provider

Our early contact with the Host Provider in Brisbane, the one that explained the system to us originally, proved to have been a useful contact. From my first meeting with them I felt comfortable in the relationship. I felt that they really did share the vision we had for Sarah's life and the values and beliefs that this was based on. I think it is important when people are looking for a Host Provider, that they have this confidence in shared values and the working relationship.

The organisation was happy to take on the role of Host Provider with our family even though this meant working with us over such a distance. They had worked previously with a family in a country town and had learned some lessons about what it takes to be a Host Provider for people in regional and remote areas while they, the organisation, are based in Brisbane. One of the crucial elements was that people should not be left unsupported in their self-direction efforts. For us, this was not a problem. We had good contacts with other families who were thinking about self-direction, with the people in our support circle and with a wider group of people throughout Australia, and even overseas, through my attendance at workshops and other events over many years.

Organising the change

Once the connection with the Host Provider was made the next step was to contact the Department of Community Services to find out how much funding Sarah actually had. Once I knew this I could work out a plan of support for Sarah with the Host Provider. The next step was to put in a Change of Service Request, again by contacting the Department. The person I spoke to there was very helpful and understanding. His response to  me was, "Yes, you absolutely have the choice the choice to make this change. Some people shop at Woolies, some at Coles." A good approach, I thought. I was told this paperwork would take up to 6 weeks and that we could not make the change before the funding quarter ended.

Jane and Sarah's full story 'Self-direction in regional Queensland - making it work' is attached to this excerpt.