13 February 2020
Lana McCarthy
[FYI request #11941 email]
[email address]
Tēnā koe Lana
Your Official Information Act request, reference: GOV-003195
Thank you for your two requests of 26 December 2019 made via the FYI website, asking for the
following information under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act):
We have a dedicated Sensitive Claims team and staff are specialised and experienced in
supporting people affected by sexual abuse or assault"
1. Is this unit that decides whether a claim is accepted or declined?
2. What are the specific qualifications or expertise of those who make up the specified Sensitive
Claims Unit at present?
How many claims were denied in your Integrated Service for Sensitive Claims process from the
time period 26th of December 2018- 26th December 2019?
How many sensitive claims were made in total in the same time period, as in, what proportion of
all claims made were declined?
We have combined your two requests as they are on the same subject.
Sensitive claims unit makes cover decisions
Service Coordinators and Recovery Partners within the sensitive claims unit are responsible for
managing and making cover decisions on sensitive claims.
Staff qualifications and expertise
ACC employs people with appropriate experience and qualifications into Sensitive Claims roles. This
includes being proactive, communicating effectively, and building good working relationships as well as
having a relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent work experience. Attached for your information is
the job description for a Recovery Partner position.
As the specific experience, expertise and qualifications of individual ACC staff is personal information,
we have made the decision to decline this part of your request under section 9(2)(a) of the Act to
protect the privacy of those staff members. ACC has carefully considered whether there are reasons
why it is desirable, in the public interest, to make this information available. ACC is of the view that
maintaining the individual’s privacy outweighs any public interest in making the information available.
Number of sensitive claims lodged, and the number declined for cover
Background
Under ACC’s Integrated Services for Sensitive Claims (ISSC), survivors of sexual violence are able to
access a range of support without having their claim assessed for cover. These claims are counted as
lodged claims. People can access up to 14 hours of one-on-one therapist, social worker, and
GOV-003195
family/whānau support. The provider can also access cultural support for the individual. Some people
then proceed to a supported assessment to receive further entitlements. To receive this ACC will assess
and either approve or decline the claim.
Our legislation requires that once a claim is lodged, we have to make a cover decision. If, after receiving
the initial pre-cover support, a client decides they do not wish to proceed to an assessment for cover,
we decline the claim and note it as withdrawn in our claims management system. However, a client who
withdraws their claim after receiving the initial support can still have their claim progressed at a later
stage. In these cases, a new decision will be issued regarding cover if they proceed to a supported
assessment.
Many clients choose to only access the pre-cover support, and only a small proportion of clients opt to
pursue the cover assessment process, as they receive treatment regardless.
Information provided
For the period 26 December 2018 to 26 December 2019, there were 10,983 new sensitive claims lodged
with ACC. Of these, as at 22 January 2020, 303, 2.8%, were declined. The information provided does not
include claims managed by an accredited employer.
Who to contact If you have any questions, you can email me at
[email address]. If you are not happy with this response, you have the right to make a complaint to the Ombudsman.
Information about how to do this is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or by phoning 0800
802 602.
Nāku iti noa, nā
Sasha Wood
Acting Manager Official Information Act Services Government Engagement & Support
Accident Compensation Corporation
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