NDIS providers banned by new watchdog from operating in South Australia for 12 months

Three South Australian disability support workers have been banned for 12 months, but the reasons for the decision have not been revealed.

Three people have been banned from providing disability services in South Australia by a new watchdog set up to oversee the burgeoning NDIS.

An online register shows the Quality and Safeguards Commission banned two people in July and one in August this year, but does not outline reasons for the decisions.

Biju Mathew (registered at Glenside), Sha-Nin Cheong (Findon) and Naushad Rayani (Modbury Heights) were each prohibited from providing support or services to people receiving National Disability Insurance Scheme funding for 12 months.

Disability Advocacy and Complaints Service SA CEO Kendall Field said her organisation was “aware of some circumstances surrounding the bans” but “due to the nature of those cases” it was not appropriate to comment.

Three people have been banned from providing disability services in South Australia. (File image)

The commission was set up in July last year and so far is monitoring services in SA and NSW. Its first annual report, released last week, shows it has already dealt with 1400-plus complaints and more than 4500 reportable incidents, which include alleged physical or sexual abuse, serious injuries or accidents, unauthorised restraint of people with a disability and any deaths.

The Advertiser does not suggest that the three people who have been banned were abusive, neglectful or violent.

The figures are for SA and NSW combined as state breakdowns are not yet available.

More than half the complaints were about service providers, while alleged abuse and the conduct of workers attracted nine per cent each.

The commission says it addressed almost half of complaints within six weeks. Almost 30,000 South Australians have been signed up to the NDIS since mid-2013.

Ms Field said DACSSA provided 450 more sessions to people raising concerns last financial year, which was “strong evidence” of the need for the new commission.

She said demand had increased for help with NDIS access, planning and appeals.

“Most disturbing is the increased number … relating to abuse, neglect and violence,” she said.

NDIS Minister Stuart Robert said an extra 800 public servants would be hired this financial year to improve the service.

SA’s longstanding principal community visitor Maurice Corcoran, who recently left the role to work on the national disability royal commission, had warned that officers of the community visitor scheme were no longer allowed to enter privately run disability homes because that responsibility had been shifted to the new commission.