MELBOURNE
NATIONAL DISABILITY WORKFORCE SYMPOSIUM 2023
'Shaping a Resilient Future - Remain compliant'
Thank you to all who attended the Melbourne Disability Workforce Symposium - the event was well attended by NDIS Registered Providers and stakeholders and was an outstanding success!
It was pleasing to see so many of our NDISLINK Members attend
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Some captured moments from the event
Keynote Speaker
Shaynie Paton
Director Campaigns and Projects, Regulatory Operations NDIS Commission
TOPICS INCLUDE:
New Disability Service Laws Commence in Victoria -
Disability and Social Services Regulation Amendment Bill 2023 (Vic)
The Disability and Social Services Regulation Amendment Bill 2023 (Vic) (the Bill) passed Victorian Parliament on 16 May 2023 and received Royal Assent on 23 May 2023. Part 1, Division 1 of Part 2, Part 5 and Part 7 commenced on 24 May 2023, while the remainder of the Bill will commence on 1 July 2024, unless proclaimed earlier. The Bill amends various legislation including the Disability Act 2006 (Vic) (the Act) and the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (Vic) (the RT Act).
The purpose of the Bill is to make various amendments to the Act including in relation to the sharing of information about persons with a disability, persons subject to restrictive practices and supervised treatment orders, residential services, and the compulsory treatment of persons with an intellectual disability. The Bill also amends the RT Act in relation to Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) enrolled dwellings.
The Amendments include the following;
• Supervised Treatment Orders for persons with a disability
• Information sharing
• Restrictive practices
• Compulsory Treatment of Persons with Intellectual Disability (Failure to comply with these obligations will result in a penalty of 240 penalty units (currently $44,381).
Presented by Gareth Kerr of Russell Kennedy Lawyers
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.
Presented by Dr Fiona MacDonald of Future work the Australian Institute
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.
Shaynie Paton from the NDIS Commission will present on the above
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.
Shaynie Paton from the NDIS Commission will discuss components of the report
How to balance quality and regulatory compliance into day to day NDIS practices
· Adapting a pragmatic approach to regulatory compliance
· Ensuring you have effective systems and documented processes
· It’s not just about ‘passing’ the audit – focus on continual improvement processes
· Integrating compliance within your organisation context and service operations
· Ensuring your organisation is informed and prepared for the anticipated NDIS reforms
Presented by Sharon Floyd and Patty Wassenaar, Engels Floyd Quality Consulting
Explaining the proposed Fair Work Amendment Closing Loopholes Bill
Did you know that in early September 2023, the Federal Government tabled the Fair Work Amendment (Closing loopholes) Bill 2023 into Parliament? If you thought last year’s Secure Jobs, Better Pay Bill was a significant reform to industrial relations, this Bill is even bigger. The reforms proposed by the Bill will substantially impact workplaces across the country – and at this session, HR Assured will like to tell you exactly how your business might be affected.
Key points that will be addressed:
• Proposed changes to casual employment.
• Same Job, Same Pay.
• Criminal sanctions for wage underpayment.
• Definition of employment.
• Unfair contracts.
• Gig workers.
• Your questions answered.
Addressing Work Related Violence in the Disability sector.
Worksafe Victoria (WSV) recognises that work related violence (WRV) (also referred to as occupational violence or OVA), is a priority hazard in the disability sector with incidents and claims continuing to rise.
In an effort to address this, WSV has enlisted the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) research body to undertake a systems mapping analysis of work-related violence across the Victorian disability sector.
We will endeavour to give an overview of this work and where we are up to.
Key questions to be addressed through the analysis include
1. What are the factors influencing client-on-worker WRV incidents?
2. What are the features of the design of the Disability Accommodation system that influence WRV?
3. What strategies could be used to mitigate the issues identified?
4. What supports the translation of the systems mapping analysis output to WRV prevention activities in the sector?
Presented by Worksafe Victoria's Josephine McMahon Program Officer, Manual Handling and Social Assistance Portfolio and Sharon Newnam
Embedding lived experience and co-design to provide high quality and responsive services
Designing with, rather than for people with disability and embedding lived experience in governance and operations will help organisations to provide high quality and responsive services. It is more than playing lip-service, it requires authentic deep engagement and inclusive processes to ensure people with disability can have a seat at the table and influence the ways services are delivered.
This will mean people with disability can lived valued and included lives, with services who help them achieve their goals. This session will cover the organisational processes and structures that need to be established to ensure authentic and long-term engagement, co-design, and participatory processes.
Mary Sayers of Said Consulting will discuss practical strategies and approaches to help organisations to design with people with disability.
*Although unlikely the program topic may change slightly.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
Shaynie Paton
(pic coming soon)
Shaynie Paton is Director Campaigns and Projects at the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Over the past 20 years, Shaynie has held senior roles in state and Commonwealth public sector, and has extensive professional experience in service delivery and regulatory policy and practice across multiple sectors.
Policy Director, Industrial and Social
Centre for Future Work
The Australian Institute
Dr Fiona MacDonald
Fiona is Policy Director with the Centre for Future Work, a research centre within the independent public policy think tank, the Australia Institute and she is also adjunct Principal Research Fellow in the College of Business and Law at RMIT University.
Fiona has over 20 years’ experience researching work and employment and has held academic positions in employment and industrial relations as well as research, policy and leadership roles in the not-for-profit social and community services and vocational education and training sectors. As a workplace relations practitioner her roles have included as chair of work value assessment panels for the Victorian State Public Sector.
Fiona has advised governments at all levels on a range of work and training issues including as head of an industry advisory body on equity and diversity in training and employment.
A key focus of her research since the mid-2010s has been on the NDIS support workforce and the organisation of work and nature of jobs in the NDIS.
Engels Floyd Quality Consulting
Sharon Floyd
Sharon is Director of Engels Floyd Quality Consulting - a leading NDIS consulting company with a reputation for integrity and professionalism. Engels Floyd has trained all of the (1100+) NDIS auditors on behalf of the NDIS Commission, which means they know the NDIS registration requirements back to front.
Sharon has over 30 years experience with specialist expertise in all things quality and compliance - particularly NDIS. Sharon's career also includes being awarded an Australia Day award for excellence in audit processes, and management of a leadership program for people with disability.
Engels Floyd Quality Consulting
Patty Wassenaar
Patty is a whiz at what she does and has a knack for explaining complex requirements of standards and regulations into simple terms so that they can be easily understood.
Patty has an extensive background in Quality Management Systems that are coupled with over 20 years lead auditor experience in the Disability and Human Services Sector as well as training and mentoring staff. She has an encyclopedic knowledge of Certification Accreditation Requirements for both JAS-ANZ and related Government Department schemes.
Said Consulting
Mary Sayers
Mary brings to clients a professional career and experience leading policy, research, advocacy and service delivery to progress positive outcomes for children and young people, people with disability and those facing poverty and disadvantage.
Mary also brings extensive governance experience on public hospital and community sector boards.
Mary has family experience of disability as a parent and is passionate about ensuring people with lived experience are co-designing services and are meaningfully included in organisations, policy and advocacy.
Since 2022 she has been Principal of Said Consulting Services. She provides consulting services to the ‘for purpose’ sector, to assist Boards, CEOs and Leadership Teams so they can make a lasting impact for thriving and resilient communities.
Her most recent consultancies include engagement as Subject Matter Expert and Adviser on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Independent Review in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
She has also worked with organisations such as Family Advocacy, to facilitate development of their Strategic Plan and the other disability organisations to deliver co-design sessions, workshops and forums.
Before starting her consultancy, she was CEO of Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA), the national representative and peak organisation growing its influence, funding and ensuring young people with disability were at the centre of the impact. Earlier roles included Deputy CEO of the Victorian Council of Social Service and Associate Director of the Centre for Community Child Health at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne.
She is current a current board director of the Australian Council of Social Service and Gippsland Primary Health Network.
Russell Kennedy Lawyers
Gareth Kerr
Gareth primarily practises in commercial litigation and has been involved in large complex commercial litigation matters in the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal and the County Court.
Gareth has particular experience in the in the AAT acting on behalf of NDIS participants and providers in appeals of decisions by the NDIA. Gareth also has experience in the Federal Court, VCAT and Human Rights Commission in discrimination matters and has acted for people with disability as well as disability service providers in relation to commercial and tenancy disputes.
Gareth also has a keen interest in administrative law and statutory interpretation and has experience in providing advice to clients regarding the application of statutory schemes. Gareth has also acted on behalf of statutory decision makers in judicial review proceedings. Gareth has previously worked with disadvantaged and differently abled people. Gareth has spent time volunteering at the Salvation Army and operated non-for-profit fishing clinics for people with disability for four years before he became a solicitor.
Experience
• Acting and appearing on behalf of clients in the VCAT, AAT, Magistrates’ Court, the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal and County Court matters.
• Advising clients on administrative law and statutory interpretation issues, risk management and policy development.
• Advising clients in response to Ombudsman investigations.
• Acting for clients in relation to discrimination matters.
• Acting for clients in challenges to the decisions of the NDIA.
• Acting for clients in relation to judicial review proceedings regarding challenges to decisions of statutory decision makers.
• Advising clients on consumer law issues, including compliance with statutory warranties and restrictive trade practices.
• Advising aged care providers of their obligations under the Aged Care Act 1997.
• Advising clients on corporate governance issues, including director’s duties as well as statutory and regulatory compliance.
Worksafe Victoria
Josephine McMahon Program Officer, Manual Handling and Social Assistance Portfolio,
Josie McMahon leads programs and initiatives in the Social Assistance portfolio and has been at WorkSafe for the last 8 years.
Prior to coming to WorkSafe she worked in research science before branching out into clinical and psych nursing.
Working across indigenous communities in Australia and in various healthcare community support environments both public and private, she is most excited when bringing people together and building strong relationships to achieve cultural change and continuous improvement outcomes.
HR Assured
Tiarne Mitchell
Senior Workplace Relations Consultant
Tiarne Mitchell is a Senior Workplace Relations Consultant at HR Assured. She regularly provides advice to clients on a wide range of employment issues and management of complex workplace matters.
About the Venue
Rivers Edge, 18-31 Siddely St Melboourne
Boasting 180 degree views over Melbourne's skyline and Yarra River, River’s Edge Events wows upon every entrance with floor to ceiling glass expanses, a sophisticated design palette and two Juliet balconies offering full water frontage.
Perfectly perched along Melbourne’s Yarra River with city skyline and waterfront views, River’s Edge Events is located within walking distance of South Wharf, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Crown, Crowne Plaza and Southern Cross Station.
