3.6.12.10 Overview of the DCLAD (Child) scoring regime

Summary

The DCLA (Child) is comprised of the professional questionnaire and the ACL questionnaire. Both are scored separately. A minimum qualifying score must be achieved on each questionnaire for each score to contribute to the overall DCLA (Child) rating. If a qualifying score is not achieved on both of these questionnaires, the carer cannot achieve a qualifying rating of intense on the DCLA and does not qualify for CP (child) or CA (child) under the DCLA.

The professional questionnaire and ACL questionnaire allocate a score to each question. Some of these scores are obtained by a comparison of the child's ability to perform particular functions against the standard for a child of that chronological age without a disability or medical condition. Others are based on scores used in other standardised functional assessments.

Note: The functional domains used in the DCLA are consistent with contemporary theory and practice, and are similar to those used in other methods of assessment within the community. The DCLA was developed in consultation with representatives of peak disability and carer groups, and with specialists in child disability from a range of medical and allied health professional backgrounds.

Qualifying rating

The following lists the scores for a claimant to achieve a qualifying rating of intense under the DCLA (Child).

CP (child) - one carer of a child with severe disability or severe medical condition

If one carer is caring for a child with a severe disability or severe medical condition a claimant achieves a qualifying rating of intense if:

• the total score for the ACL questionnaire is a qualifying ACL score of 85 or more, and
• the score on the professional questionnaire is a qualifying score of more than zero (>0).

CP (child) - 2 or more carers of a child with severe disability or severe medical condition

If 2 or more carers (1.1.T.188) are caring for a child with a severe disability or severe medical condition:

• each carer achieves a qualifying rating of intense if
  • the total score for the ACL questionnaire completed by the carer for the child is a qualifying ACL score of 85 or more, and
  • the score on the professional questionnaire is a qualifying score of more than zero (>0).

Note: For 2 (or more) carers to qualify a THP must certify in writing that care is to be provided by 2 (or more) carers. The THP must specify the number of carers required.

CP (child) - combined care of 2 or more children with a disability or medical condition

If a carer is caring for 2 or more children with a disability or medical condition those care needs combined are equivalent to those of a single child with a severe disability or severe medical condition (1.1.C.195):

• No more than 4 contributing ACLs and 4 contributing professional questionnaires can be used to contribute to a qualifying rating.
• A claimant achieves a qualifying rating of intense if
  • the total score from combining the contributing ACLs is 85 or more, and
  • the contributing professional questionnaire for each child has a score of more than zero (>0).

An ACL questionnaire is a contributing ACL only if the total ACL score for that ACL questionnaire is 20 or more.

Note: The contributing ACLs and contributing professional questionnaires must be for the same children.

CP (child) - multiple care of one or more children with a disability or medical condition & a lower ADAT score adult

This section applies if:

• a carer is caring for a lower ADAT score adult and one or more children with a disability or medical condition (1.1.M.155), and
• the adult has been assessed and rated under the ADAT and given a score under that assessment tool of at least 20, being a score calculated on the basis of a total professional questionnaire score of at least 8.

A qualifying rating of intense is achieved if:

• the total combined score for the ACLs is 85 or more with the adult taken to contribute 40 to the total combined score
• the score for each ACL is 20 or more, and
• the score on the professional questionnaire for each child is more than zero (>0).

An ACL questionnaire is a contributing ACL only if the total ACL score for that ACL is 20 or more.

The carer does not complete an ACL in respect of the adult care receiver.

Note: In certain situations where the carer does not meet the qualifying threshold a Carers Specialised Assessment Team referral may be triggered to assist the delegate with their decision making.

CA (child) - carer of a single child with disability

If a carer is caring for a single child with disability a claimant achieves a qualifying rating of intense if:

• the total score for the ACL questionnaire is a qualifying ACL score 85 or more, and
• the score on the professional questionnaire is a qualifying score of more than zero (>0).

CA (child) - carer of 2 children with disability

If a carer is caring for 2 children with disability whose care needs are equivalent to those of a single child with disability (3.6.7.40):

• No more than 2 contributing ACLs and 2 contributing professional questionnaires can be used to contribute to a qualifying rating.

• A claimant achieves a qualifying rating of intense if
  • the total score from combining the contributing ACLs is 85 or more, and
  • the contributing professional questionnaire for each child has a score of more than zero (>0).

An ACL questionnaire is a contributing ACL only if the total ACL score for that ACL questionnaire is 20 or more.

Note: The contributing ACLs and contributing professional questionnaires must be for the same children.