Newsletter FOr Nsw trustee & GuardiaN clieNts aNd FrieNds

issue #17 sPriNG 2017

introducinG our nEW Planning ahead Portal

Nsw trustee & Guardian’s new planning ahead portal is now live. this means you can now start your will, Power of attorney and enduring Guardianship documents at a time most convenient for you.

When making your planning ahead documents it’s important to take some time to consider what you

would like to include. You can now do this in the comfort of your own home and it is up to you the level of detail you want to provide via the highly secure portal. For example, you can enter who you would like to be the beneficiaries of your estate, list your assets, and nominate a guardian for your children. Information flows directly to our internal system and will be ready for your appointment. The planning ahead portal is the start of the planning ahead process. It is still necessary to complete the rest of your documents at a face-to-face appointment.

The planning ahead portal does not operate as instructions for a draft of, or a final Will, Power of Attorney or Enduring Guardianship document. At your appointment our experienced staff will give valuable advice on estate planning and take instructions from you to ensure your wishes are properly documented. Our document preparation fees still apply.

The portal is built to be user-friendly and expand access to our services. If you do not have internet access, you can still contact us by telephone, at a plan ahead day, or in person at one of our branches.

To get started on your planning ahead documents, visit www.tag.nsw.gov.au

or call us on 1300 364 103

Listening to you, our clients, is a critical part of delivering services like estate planning or managing your finances. It is also an essential part of helping

us improve our service and planning for the future of NSW Trustee & Guardian. Our new planning ahead portal is a great example of this as it is a direct response to feedback that you wanted more online services. We are very proud of this new capability and the way it responds to customer needs as well as streamlining our internal processes. Further online enhancements are planned and we will soon be collaborating with private management clients to co-design dedicated online facilities to meet their needs.

In the same vein, empowering people to make their own choices is also important to us. In this issue, you can read about how we have worked with the Public Guardian to learn better ways of achieving this for our financial management clients through the Supported Decision Making Project. The project has made a valuable contribution to resources for the disability sector and we are pleased to be taking a lead role in this area.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) moved into its second phase on 1 July 2017 as it continues to roll out across most of NSW. If you or someone you care for is eligible, I encourage you to read our update about the NDIS website for NSW.

I hope you enjoy this edition of TAGconnect which is a strong reflection of our mission and values – to provide quality services, assist you to make decisions that give effect to your will and preference, and provide information you can trust.

Damon Quinn Acting CEO, NSW Trustee & Guardian

1 iNtrOduciNG Our New PlaNNiNG ahead POrtal

2 welcOMe tO taGcONNect

3 hOMeless cONNect 2017

4 suPPOrted decisiON MakiNG PrOject uPdate

5 elder abuse addressed iN cOMMissiON’s rePOrt

5 advaNce care directive PackaGe NOw available

6 NatiONal disability iNsuraNce scheMe website FOr Nsw

7 iMPrOveMeNts iN Private MaNaGeMeNt

8 FuNd iNvestMeNt rePOrt

in this issue

WELcoME to tagconnect

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NDIS website page 6

The event provides an opportunity for homeless and vulnerable people to access services and support from a wide range of

providers. This year more than 90 organisations were present and provided haircuts, dental services, pet care, clothing, bike repairs and information about housing and other entitlements.

Homelessness is an increasing issue in NSW, especially for young people and women who find it difficult to access services. The Sydney Homeless Connect Guidebook 2017 lists services and organisations helpful to those that are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

To download the guidebook, please visit: www.sydneyhomelessconnect.com/get-help

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Sydney Homeless Connect is a day that brings

together people who are homeless and at risk of

homelessness in Sydney with the services and

support that they need whilst providing them

with a positive experience they will remember.

OUR FOCUS IS ACTION & OUTCOMES

ON THE DAY.

www.sydneyhomelessconnect.com

2017 SYDNEY HOMELESSCONNECTTuesday 27th June

sydneyhomelessconnect.com

homeless ConneCt 2017the annual homeless connect event was held on

27 june at sydney town hall. it has been an ongoing

event since 2010 hosted by sydney city council that

Nsw trustee & Guardian is proud to be a part of.

44%arE fEMaLE

SydnEy HoMELESS connEct

imPaCt this Year

1 in 200 arE HoMELESS in auStraLia

24%HoMELESS duE to doMEStic vioLEncE

17,845cHiLdrEn undEr tHE aGE of 10 arE HoMELESS

4,650Hot MEaLS SErvEd

5,350Hot drinkS SErvEd

400HaircutS

28dEntaL cHEckS

200profESSionaL portraitS

200dEntaL prEScriptionS providEd

750pairS of runninG SHoES

5,000pErSonaL carE packaGES

3Issue #17 | sPRING edItIoN 2017

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decision making contexts. It also developed a ‘train the trainer’ program for others to provide training in their communities. All resources are now available at www.publicguardian.justice.nsw.gov.au or call the Public Guardian Information Support Team on 02 8688 6070.

The interest the project received from the disability sector shows there is still a significant need for information and training on supported decision making in the broader community. The Public Guardian will continue to provide training over the coming year.

Service providers can register their interest in the Supported Decision Making training course by calling 02 8688 6070 or email informationsupport@opg.nsw.gov.au

SupportEd dEciSion MakinG ProjeCt UPdatesupported decision making is the process of helping

a person with disability make their own choices

and pursue their individual goals. Nsw trustee &

Guardian together with the Public Guardian has

recently finished a year-long supported decision

making project, investigating the best way to

achieve supported financial decision making.

sessions were Provided:

71Sessions delivered

The project worked with 33 people with a financial management order and supported them to participate in money skills courses. By the end

of the project, decision makers felt more confident in making choices about their money, and some participants were supported to seek revocation of their financial management orders. However, most people wanted NSW Trustee & Guardian to continue managing their money, appreciating the safeguards a financial manager provides.

An important component of the project was developing and delivering training resources for disability service providers. Over 70 training sessions were run across the state to a total of 2,183 workers in the disability sector. The training team developed a training guide and a framework for disability sector staff to apply in supported

714Completed evaluations

2,183People attended training

An Advance Care Directive (ACD) is an important way of

letting people know your wishes about your end of life healthcare. If you find yourself in a position where you are seriously ill or injured and not able to make decisions, having an ACD will make it easier for your loved ones and health staff if they need to make decisions for you.

This package is one of a number of advance care planning and end of life resources that are available. It does not replace or void existing ACDs that are currently being used, but intends to act as a guide to provide a better legal and clinical framework. It includes a form for you to complete along with an information booklet.

key questions to consider:• WhyisanAdvanceCareDirective

important?

• HowdoIprepareformakinganAdvance CareDirective?

• HowdoImakeanAdvanceCareDirective?

• Whenwillitapplyandwhenisitvalid?

An ACD can only be made by an adult with decision-making capacity. If it is valid, it must be followed. It is important to note that in NSW, you do not need to use a specific form to record your wishes, therefore all ACDs must be respected.

To download the package, please visit www.health.nsw.gov.au and search: ‘advance care directive.’

advanCe Care direCtive packaGE noW avaiLabLE the Nsw Ministry of health has released the ‘Making an advance care directive’ package.

elder abUse addrESSEd in coMMiSSion’S rEportThe Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) recently released its final report, urging the federal government to stop financial and physical abuse of the elderly.

The report is heralded as a big step in addressing physical, sexual, psychological, emotional and financial abuse of elder Australians. It comes

with 43 recommendations to amend Australia’s laws, covering a range of areas such as guardianship, family agreements, banking and superannuation. About a third of these recommendations involve the aged care sector.

There are separate proposals for financial institutions, such as amending the Code of Banking Practice to properly train bank tellers so they can detect and respond to financial abuse.

The ALRC also recommends that the Law Council of Australia develop training courses for witnesses and there be enhanced witnessing requirements so that enduring appointment documents are witnessed by two independent witnesses. One of these witnesses must be either a legal or medical practitioner, Justice of the Peace, Registrar of the Court, or a Police Officer.

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the report’s key recommendations include:• consistentlawsacrossstatesandterritories

• anewseriousincidentresponsescheme

• anationalregisterofpowerofattorneydocuments

• anationwideprevalencestudy.

Full report available at www.alrc.gov.au

did you know there is a National disability insurance scheme (Ndis) website for people in Nsw? The website – ndis.nsw.gov.au – provides useful information on all aspects of the rollout of the scheme across NSW including how and when people with disability can access it.

it is easy to find information that’s right for youWith a home page allowing users to select from three main categories: people with disability, families and carers and service providers, you will be able to find information about the NDIS in your area.

what does the access checker do?The access checker on the home page leads users to individualised outcomes based on their situation, including supports options available for children.

what type of information is on the website?You can find a range of information in many formats including informative fact sheets, animated videos, illustrated guides and events in your area. There’s also resources in community languages and resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

learn from real Ndis participantsSee how the NDIS is transforming lives across NSW – read real life accounts and watch videos of the journey into the NDIS. Learn all about Tracy, Danny and Siobhan and many more.

Make sure you visit ndis.nsw.gov.au today!

national disabilitY insUranCe sCheme WEbSitE for nSW

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how we are responding

1. A working group has been established to recommend improvements in delivering services for private managers.

2. The working group is already working on issues such as improving staff training, inductions for private managers, and ensuring your feedback is considered in the development of the new private managers online portal.

3. We are working to improve the tone, standard and number of our communications.

4. We are working to improve processes between ourselves and NCAT.

5. Looking at ways of clarifying communications on confusing areas of discretionary spending.

what you told usSome of the key concerns for managers were:

• improvingprocessesbetweenNSWTrustee&Guardian and the Guardianship Division of the NSW Civil & Administrative Tribunal (NCAT)

• induction following appointment as a financial manager

• areasofdiscretionaryspendingnotclear

• financialinstitutionsnotrecognisingdirections and authorities documents

• processesandformsaretoocomplicated

• lackofonlinetools(especiallyforaccounting)

• standardandtoneofcommunication

• timedelays.

iMprovEMEntS in Private managementearlier this year, Nsw trustee & Guardian

gathered important feedback from private

managers through surveys and group

consultations. we used this feedback to

identify key areas of development and

have started working on the issues that

were raised.

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FUnd investment rePort

NSW Trustee & Guardian manages clients’ financial assets

across the investment funds detailed below. In managing

these funds, NSW Trustee & Guardian often uses external

investment specialists like fund manager BlackRock.

NSW Trustee & Guardian funds have continued to deliver returns above inflation in the six months to 30 June 2017.

Access Fund, Australian Cash Fund, Australian Cash Plus Fund and the Primary Portfolio have performed well as a result of sound returns from term deposit investments.

The International Shares Fund has benefitted from particularly strong returns on international markets and favourable foreign exchange rates.

The Growth Portfolio has delivered a return of 14.3% p.a. for the last 5 years. This compares to the return of around 10.3% p.a. delivered by similar funds run by commercial fund managers over the same period. The Growth

Returns of Funds and their benchmarks are shown after NSW Trustee & Guardian investment fees have been deducted.

Return for 6 Monthsto 30 June 2017 %

Return for 3 Yearsto 30 June 2017 % p.a.

NSWTrustee&GuardianFund

Fund Benchmark Fund Benchmark

Access 1.1 0.8 2.3 1.9

AustralianCash 1.1 0.8 2.2 1.9

AustralianCashPlus 1.2 0.8 2.3 1.9

AustralianFixedInterest 2.2 2.2 3.8 3.9

InternationalBond 1.7 1.8 4.2 4.7

AustralianShares 3.0 3.0 6.2 6.3

AustralianListedPropertySecurities -3.1 -3.2 11.7 11.8

InternationalShares 8.3 8.1 10.6 10.4

PrimaryPortfolio 1.1 0.8 2.1 1.6

GrowthPortfolio 8.5 8.9 9.7 9.8

Portfolio’s strong return is a result of its blend of international shares and Australian shares investments.

In May 2017, we made changes to the way the Growth Portfolio is managed by appointing JP Morgan Chase as the custodian and BlackRock as investment manager. We now utilise the same service providers across all funds, which provides greater efficiencies in running the investment portfolio.

Towards the end of 2017, NSW Trustee & Guardian anticipates holding a new tender for the roles of custodian and investment manager for all funds. This process will ensure NSW Trustee & Guardian continues to apply best market practices and captures all available efficiencies in managing our investments.

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