1.1.P.71 Participation plan (ParentsNext)

Definition

For the purposes of the SSAct, a participation plan is an EPP for ParentsNext (1.1.P.57) participants (both compulsory and voluntary participants).

ParentsNext targets 2 parent groups: a compulsory group, who are subject to participation requirements, and a voluntary group.

PP recipients who are compulsory participants in ParentsNext have participation requirements, which include attending appointments with a provider and undertaking an agreed activity that will assist them plan and prepare for employment. ParentsNext compulsory participants must enter into a participation plan when required to do so under the SSAct.

ParentsNext providers are responsible for negotiating participation plans with parents. The plans are developed in the 4-week period following the participant's initial appointment. Participation plans can be renegotiated and updated at any time to reflect changes to a participant's circumstances.

Participation plans are individually tailored and take into account each parent's individual circumstances and capacity to comply with agreed activities; they cannot include unsuitable or unreasonable requirements. Parents cannot be required to participate in a job search activity but they can choose to do so.

Any person with the appropriate delegation can negotiate the terms of a participation plan with a participant. Currently, persons engaged by a ParentsNext provider are delegated the power to require a participant to enter into a participation plan and the participation plan powers under the SSAct.