BRISBANE
NATIONAL DISABILITY WORKFORCE SYMPOSIUM 2023
'Shaping a Resilient Future'
Thank you to all who attended the Brisbane National Disability Workforce Symposium
We thank all Speakers, the NDIS Commission for the contribution of their time, knowledge and expertise shared at this event.
All presentation copies are now available.
TOPICS INCLUDE
Rebecca Lane
Director for National Safeguarding and Incidents with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
Revised High Intensity Support Skills Descriptors,effective Dec 2022
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The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has revised its skill descriptors for high intensity supports.
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Reflecting contemporary practice and expert advice, the new descriptors are supplementary guidance for providers and workers who support participants with high intensity daily personal activities (HIDPA).
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The descriptors for each area of support outline the skills and knowledge needed to prepare and deliver the support and to carry out the support plan.
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They provide specific guidance on training and keeping training and practice current.
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The descriptors came into effect on 1 February.
Jan will present on the above
Rebecca Lane
Director for National Safeguarding and Incidents with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
Own Motion Inquiry conducted by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission into Supported Living (SIL) Outcomes
In August 2021, the NDIS Commission initiated our first Own Motion Inquiry into aspects of supported accommodation in the NDIS (the Inquiry). The Inquiry examined reportable incidents and complaints made to the NDIS Commission in connection with the supported accommodation services (specifically group homes).
The Inquiry’s purpose was to enable the NDIS Commissioner to identify trends in issues occurring in supported accommodation, what is causing those issues, models of best practice to eliminate or address these issues, and how the NDIS Commission can use its powers to support the delivery of higher standards of support in these settings.
The Inquiry was completed in December 2022.
Jan will discuss components of the report
Paul Diviny
Director
Prospert
New DES Quality Framework
The introduction of the DES Quality Framework is a significant milestone in the efforts to enhance disability employment services in Australia. Prospert deeply understands the practices that contribute to high-quality service delivery and outcomes. Providers need to prepare for Quality Assessment Ratings and Quality Scorecards, ensuring they are equipped to meet the Framework’s standards.
The Quality Framework will assess DES providers against four elements: Participant Rights, Understanding Quality, Provider Capability, and Compliance. These elements have been prioritised as critical to the foundation of effective service delivery and driving positive change in the DES landscape. Prospert notes that two key themes are emphasised across all four elements – ongoing training and development of staff and ensuring participants’ voices are heard and used for continuous improvement.
We will discuss what good practice looks like for each element along with specific examples in the context of holistic employer engagement.
The new DES Quality Framework presents an unprecedented opportunity for DES providers to elevate their service quality and positively impact the lives of people with disability and, by inference, the employers who hire them. By implementing the elements of good practice within each quality element, providers can ensure participant rights are respected, individual needs are met, and continuous improvement becomes a cornerstone of their service delivery.
We will also take a close look at indicators and measurement tools for the new Framework.
Karen Douglas PhD
Post Doctoral Researcher
Tasmanian School of Business and Economics
University of Tasmania
Better Work and Wellbeing Research Group
Support workers in the NDIS: Is there a problem of misclassification?
There is a wide diversity of roles undertaken by support workers in the NDIS and considerable diversity, and also inconsistency, in service providers’ classifications of their employees.
This presentation examines the disability support worker role and requirements of disability support work and considers the implications for support workers’ employment classification.
While there is some ambiguity in industrial arrangements, quality and safeguarding guidelines contain clear expectations and requirements of workers’ skills, knowledge and judgement. These requirements have implications for all support workers’ employment classifications and for NDIS workforce and market development.
Paul Bryan
NDIS Provider
Head Coach & Business Consultant
Action and Intent
Anticipating and addressing the impending shortage of skilled disability support workers
In this presentation, Paul Bryan, a renowned NDIS business coach, delves into the critical issue of the impending shortage of skilled disability support workers. Drawing from his extensive experience in the disability services sector, Paul explores three key factors contributing to the shortage:
1. The Impact of Small Providers: Paul highlights the challenges arising from the increasing number of small providers starting up without an established client base. This situation has created a highly competitive landscape in the industry, affecting the availability of skilled workers.
2. Dealing with a Transient Workforce: The current workforce trend shows a significant number of support workers holding multiple casual jobs, leading to staff turnover and leaving providers understaffed. Paul examines the implications of this transient workforce and offers insights on effective retention strategies.
3. Navigating the Complex Award System: Paul sheds light on the complexities and misunderstandings surrounding the award system in the disability services sector. He addresses the difficulties providers face due to the lack of accurate information and an abundance of misinformation, impacting their ability to attract and retain skilled workers.
Some questions to be raised here are, how do we incentivise workforce participation? Is skilled immigration as the government is suggesting a possible solution and what does the future hold for the regulation of small businesses in the sector. Paul emphasizes the role of immigration providers in assisting disability service providers in acquiring a committed and qualified workforce.
Attendees can expect to gain a comprehensive understanding of the impending skilled worker shortage and practical strategies to proactively address the challenges.
Through real-life examples and actionable insights, Paul equips providers with the knowledge and tools to build a sustainable and skilled workforce, ensuring continued excellence in disability support services.
Paul Diviny
Director
Prospert
Future of the Disability Employment Services (DES) program.
Employment services providers are grappling with uncertainty and ambiguity about the future of the Disability Employment Services (DES) program. With various options being discussed, it’s important to stay informed and keep an eye on any developments or policy changes that could potentially impact DES. Being proactive and preparing for different scenarios can help you navigate ambiguity and make informed decisions for the future.
What we know so far is the Australian Government is working on a potential new model for disability employment. The aim is to ensure that ‘people with disability are not left behind’ and employers can access an ‘untapped workforce’.
While the current DES program has been extended until 30 June 2025, the Government has already made immediate adjustments to boost its quality and outcomes for people with disabilities. With 52 DES providers no longer providing some services and eight providers having all their services discontinued due to poor performance, the stage is set for a fresh approach to disability employment services.
The new specialist disability employment services model will be informed by various concurrent bodies of work, including the Australian Disability Strategy, Employ My Ability – the Disability Employment Strategy, the Disability Royal Commission, and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participant employment strategy. A new Quality Framework will also be established to ensure that participants’ rights, quality of service, provider capability and governance, feedback and complaints, and formal assurance are prioritised.
We will discuss the likely timeframe of events between now and June 2025 and identify how providers and their NDIS partners can position themselves for the Future of DES.
Paul Bryan
NDIS Provider
Head Coach & Business Consultant
Action and Intent
Strategies that address the recruitment of workers across all roles in the sector
In this dynamic presentation, Paul Bryan, The NDIS Business Coach, takes the stage in his playfield—the realm of Workforce Development strategies in the disability services sector. Drawing from his extensive experience collaborating with providers, Paul shares an arsenal of proven strategies and tools designed to help providers find, retain, support, and train staff, transforming them into top-tier employers.
These strategies play a pivotal role in delivering robust support and care across the sector.
Key Takeaways:
1. Becoming an A-Grade Employer: Participants will gain invaluable insights into the strategies that elevate their status as A-grade employers. Paul highlights the importance of attracting, retaining, and nurturing talented staff, ultimately leading to exceptional service provision and positive outcomes for participants.
2. Addressing Workforce Shortages Proactively: Attendees will learn how to navigate the challenges posed by workforce shortages through proactive planning and being ahead of the curve. Paul's expertise empowers providers to stay informed and prepared, mitigating the impact of the shortage and maintaining a skilled workforce.
3. Operating Above Reproach Amid Changes: Paul emphasizes the significance of staying abreast of industry changes and operating above reproach to lead the sector. Participants will understand how compliance and adaptation to changes reinforce their reputation as trusted and reliable employers.
Moreover, the presentation delves into practical and actionable strategies for talent acquisition, staff retention, ongoing training, and support. Paul's engaging approach, supported by real-life success stories, will inspire providers to adopt innovative and effective approaches to recruit and retain workers across all roles in the disability services sector.
Participants can expect to leave this presentation with a comprehensive toolkit of strategies, equipping them to overcome recruitment challenges, elevate their employer status, and deliver exceptional care and support within the sector.
The need to keep with the changes: why it's important to maintain communication to participants and providers
In this enlightening presentation, Paul Bryan, an NDIS business coach, delves into a critical area of concern: the vital importance of maintaining effective communication with participants and providers in the disability services sector.
Recognizing the prevalence of misinformation, Paul emphasizes the need for providers to be well-informed experts in their scope of work. He advocates for establishing robust communication channels to keep participants and workers informed about updates and changes, ultimately positioning providers as authoritative experts in the field.
Key Takeaways:
1. Being an Informed Expert: Participants will gain insights into the significance of staying well-informed about the ever-changing landscape of disability services. Paul emphasizes the value of becoming an expert in their scope of work to ensure accurate and reliable information is provided to participants and staff.
2. Establishing Effective Communication Channels: Attendees will learn the importance of establishing clear and efficient communication channels to disseminate updates and changes promptly. Paul explores the benefits of positioning providers as the go-to authority through transparent and proactive communication.
3. Building Trust and Authority: Paul highlights how effective communication fosters trust and confidence in the provider's expertise. Participants will understand the impact of being the reliable source of information for both workers and participants, enhancing their reputation as a leading provider in the industry.
Moreover, the presentation discusses practical strategies for implementing efficient communication systems to keep all stakeholders informed and aligned. Paul's engaging approach and real-life examples will inspire providers to embrace open communication, positioning themselves as knowledgeable leaders and authorities in the disability services sector.
Participants can expect to leave this presentation with the tools and insights necessary to elevate their communication practices, enhance trust with participants and staff, and lead the conversation in the ever-evolving landscape of disability support services
Speakers BIOS
Rebecca Lane
Director for National Safeguarding and Incidents with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
Rebecca Lane is the Director for National Safeguarding and Incidents with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission and has worked with the NDIS Commission in Queensland since commencement in 2019.
Rebecca has previously worked in senior roles with State Government in both the funding and service delivery areas for supports and programs for people with disability including the delivery of emergency response support for people experiencing critical and life changing events.
Rebecca has also enjoyed a career in the non-government sector managing post school service support for people with complex needs and delivering multi-funded neighbourhood services to culturally diverse communities in Sydney. Rebecca is committed to supporting human rights and has further developed this commitment through her studies in community services, social justice and anthropology at the University of Southern Queensland and the University of Technology in Sydney.
Dr. Karen Douglas, University of Tasmania
Dr. Karen Douglas, University of Tasmania
Karen is a Post Doctoral Researcher at the University of Tasmania, Tasmanian School of Business and Economics, currently working on an ARC funded project ‘Regions undergoing transition: the roles of unions and their peak bodies’. Karen is known for her work value expertise with a specific focus on the work of disability support. Karen has undertaken work value assessments across the public sector and has prosecuted cases at industrial tribunals. Karen has a long history working in unions as a researcher and advocate. Karen’s research interests lie in trade union renewal, organising undervalued and precarious workers, collective worker voice, gender equity, decent work, and employment relations. Karen focuses on the work of social care and support examining how different forms of structural power impacts the experiences of diverse workers. Working across public and private sectors at local, regional and national level Karen has extensive experience negotiating through complex economic, social and political challenges.
Paul Diviny
Director
Prospert
Paul Diviny is the founding Director of Prospert, an international learning, consulting and tendering management business with a focus on employability services. Commencing in 2020, Paul’s team has grown to 25 staff across a range of disciplines. He previously worked as a General Manager of Business Development at The Salvation Army Employment Plus (Australia) and Angus Knight Group.
Paul also works in a voluntary capacity for his local bowls club and has held President and Treasury roles in schools-based family associations in the recent past.
Since commencing his business in 2020, Paul has directly helped over 1,000 employability professionals in learning the art of effective employer and community engagement. His and his team’s advice is sought out by Boards and senior executives in such as areas as: strategic growth; tendering strategy and execution; learning and development; operations management; strategic and business planning; program management; and organisation design.
As both a General Manager and employer engagement mentor, Paul provided coaching and mentoring to frontline employability staff and their line managers, assisting them to master employer engagement and grow sustainable employment and strong, trustworthy bonds with employers.
With social justice values embedded in his upbringing, Paul is particularly passionate about transforming lives, businesses and communities - one job at a time. His passion rubs off on his team who share this in everything they do.
Paul Bryan
NDIS Provider
Head Coach & Business Consultant
Action and Intent
Paul Bryan is the Head Coach of Action and Intent, specialising in coaching support businesses in the disability services sector.
With 7 years of coaching experience, including 3 focused on the NDIS, Paul is passionate about empowering Australia's most vulnerable by improving the businesses that support them. Through his two coaching programs, Networking Events and Connection Driving Software, Paul helps both entry-level and market leading businesses establish strong foundations and guides growing providers to become people-focused and profitable market leaders.
Renowned for his practical and informative live workshops, Paul simplifies the complicated and brings practicality to the difficult. Having helped numerous providers achieve multimillion-dollar success, Paul's unique tools and systems are set to empower further growth for providers.
Sponsor or Exhibit
Email ndislink@jazcorpaustralia.com.au for more information or call 1300 667 709