NDCO Newsletter Summer 2019
Welcome to the Summer edition of the NDCO program newsletter for region 14 Southern Melbourne. If you would like information about special projects, networks and professional development opportunities in relation to education & employment for people with disability please contact the NDCO program.
Sally Bailey, National Disability Coordination Officer T (03) 9784 0400 M 0439 897 027
E sally.bailey@skillsplus.com.au W www.ndcovictoria.net.au
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Need for Disability Specific Networks in Southern Melbourne
The last 12 months have seen considerable changes in the disability sector through Southern Melbourne. In particular, the role out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and changes to the Disability Employment Service (DES) contract mean that opportunities for young people with disability have changed. The end of last year many professionals in the sector focused on getting people with disability registered with their pathways services and learning about new programs such as the NDIS School Leavers Employment Supports.
This year the NDCO program for Southern Melbourne is reviewing the need for disability focused networks with the aim of increasing opportunities for young people with disability to engage in education and employment pathways in the Bayside, Frankston and Morington Peninsula areas. These networks would be focused on the following;
- Coordinating communication about careers opportunities, best practice and pathways for people with disability.
- Improving information and communication about services, programs and opportunities in the region.
- Providing opportunities to discuss partnerships and activities with school careers programs.
- Providing a forum for networking and group discussion to identify gaps and develop regional responses and solutions.
We would love to have your feedback on what works for you!
Please take out 5 minute survey
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GBJ72T5
Please note that the South East Disability Inclusion Network (SEDIN) is operating in in the Greater Dandenong Casey and Cardinia areas.
For more information please go to http://www.ndcovictoria.net.au/south-eastern-disability-inclusion-network
Or contact
Sally Bailey , National Disability Coordination Officer, Southern Melbourne
T (03) 9784 0400 M 0439 897 027
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The NDCO Pathways Resource Guide – Time for updates!
The NDCO Pathways Resource Guide is due for a big update so if you have time please go to the link and download the guide to see if your organisation is accurately represented. We are going to add NDIS funded supports in the following categories;
- Disability Employment Services
- Group Training Organisations
- NDIS registered provider - Assistance to Access and Maintain Employment or higher education [Assist Access/Maintain Employ]
- NDIS registered provider - Development of Daily Living and Life Skills [Development-Life Skills]
- NDIS registered provider - Supported Employment Assistance in specialized supported employment/ADE
- Australian Government Dept. of Jobs and Small Business program provider
- Apprenticeship Support
http://www.ndcovictoria.net.au/region-14#directories
Getting to work: Victorian public sector disability employment action plan 2018–2025
More Victorians living with disability will be supported to create a meaningful career in the public sector, as part of the state’s first disability employment action plan.
The plan includes attraction, recruitment, retention and progression strategies for people with disability, as well as ways to support prospective and existing employees with disability and their managers.
The plan is available for download in a variety of formats.
https://vpsc.vic.gov.au/resources/disability-employment-action-plan/
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More than $19 million to support the work of the NDIS Participant Employment Taskforce
Media release from the Assistant Minister Media release from the Minister
25 December 2018
The Liberal-National Government is backing the work of its newly established National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Participant Employment Taskforce with $19.9 million of grants for projects to boost employment for Australians with a disability.
Minister for Families and Social Services, Paul Fletcher, and Assistant Minister for Social Services, Housing and Disability Services, Sarah Henderson; have announced that an open, competitive grant process will launch early in 2019.
“The Economic Participation grants will back innovative proposals that build the capacity of people with disability to participate in work,” Mr Fletcher said. “They will also support employers to create opportunities for people with disability”
For more go to:
https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/1166-more-19-million-support-work-ndis-participant-employment-taskforce
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Australian Network on Disability - PACE Mentoring Program Autumn 2019
The Australian Network on Disability are delighted to inform you that applications for the PACE Mentoring Program Autumn 2019 are now open! It would be great if we could get your assistance and expertise on how best to promote this program out to eligible jobseekers with disability. Please find further details about PACE Mentoring below.
Positive Action towards Career Engagement (PACE Mentoring) connects jobseekers with disability with mentors from leading Australian businesses. It gives the mentees an opportunity to develop their skills and confidence in a workplace setting. Previous mentors have come from organisations such as, ANZ Bank, Victoria Police, Bupa, Cummins, Australian Government Departments etc. Mentees meet their mentors at their mentors workplace, and work on activities designed to increase employability skills.
How it works
Mentees will be paired with an experienced professional who they will meet with six to eight times within a four-month period between May to August. The meetings last between one and two hours. Mentees can discuss their career goals and aspirations, and get help to develop a plan for their personal and professional development.
Their mentor will help them identity and reach their career development goals and build their confidence in a workplace environment.
Am I eligible?
Be over 18 years of age
Identify as having any type of disability
How do I apply?
Read the details on our information pages and complete our online application form by March 2019. Early applications are recommended. Applications are open now!
Who do I contact if I have more questions?
Contact by email applications@and.org.au
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The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission is a new independent agency established to improve the quality and safety of NDIS supports and services.
We will regulate the NDIS market, provide national consistency, promote safety and quality services, resolve problems and identify areas for improvement.
You can contact us from:
1 July 2018: New South Wales and South Australia
1 July 2019: Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory
1 July 2020: Western Australia
Until we start operating in your area, your current state or territory requirements for quality and safeguards will continue to apply. You can find out more by checking the map.
https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/about/start-dates
Links for Victoria
Disability Services Commissioner, Telephone: 1800 677 342
Email: complaints@odsc.vic.gov.au, Website: odsc.vic.gov.au
Ombudsman Victoria, Telephone: 1800 806 314
Website: ombudsman.vic.gov.au
Consumer Affairs Victoria, Telephone: 1300 55 81 81
Website: consumer.vic.gov.au
Commonwealth Ombudsman, Telephone: 1300 362 072
Email: ombudsman@ombudsman.gov.au
Website: ombudsman.gov.au
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Policy and Reports
MHA report on the NDIS approach to psychosocial disability
Mental Health Australia (MHA) has released a report on the existing NDIS approach to psychosocial disability. This report came from a lot of work done by the NDIA and MHA hearing from participants with a psychosocial disability about how the NDIS can be improved. The report can be downloaded at:
https://mhaustralia.org/our-projects/ndis-psychosocial-pathway-project
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Inquiry into Career Advice Activities in Victorian Schools
The Victorian Inquiry into Career Advice Activities in Victorian Schools was released in August 2018. Career development involves exposing students to a wide range of occupations before they have to make any binding decisions and gradually building their capacity to make effective career decisions, a skill which they will need to draw on throughout their life as their interests and circumstances change. We may not be able to predict the jobs of the future, but we are able to impart to students the skills and confidence they need to successfully manage their career.
This Inquiry considered how well Victorian schools are preparing students to navigate the world of work and where they could improve.
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Timeline of Australian VET policy initiatives 1998-2017
Australia's vocational education and training (VET) system has transformed over the past 20 years in response to changing economic and societal needs. This timeline helps understand the scale of change and the individual policies, programs or initiatives that have shaped VET at both the national and state and territory level. The comprehensive resource also includes economic events that may have influenced enrolments and completions of VET courses, apprenticeships and traineeships.
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Tools and Resources
Community Resource Unit fact sheets
The Community Resource Unit Ltd. (CRU) engage with a broad range of people in a movement for change so that people with disability will be welcomed and appreciated as they take their place in their communities.
As well as influencing and equipping others to lead positive change, their purpose is to inspire and encourage individuals and organisations to challenge ideas and practices that limit the lives of people with a disability.
For fact sheets on inclusive education and employment go to
http://cru.org.au/resources-and-publications/fact-sheets/
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Borderline personality Disorder Webinar Series
The Mental Health Professionals’ Network (MHPN) has produced a series of informative webinars on Borderline personality Disorder.
BPD Webinar Series
Webinar 1 - What is Borderline Personality Disorder?
Webinar 2 - Treatment principles for people living with Borderline Personality Disorder
Webinar 3 - Evidence based treatments for people living with Borderline Personality Disorder
Webinar 4 - Borderline personality disorder in youth and early intervention
MHPN Network Search
Find networks in your local area
MHPN Webinar Library
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Quantum
Quantum provides products and services to people with a print disability (low vision, blindness or a learning difficulty). Quantum provides information about products and services that assist people with vision loss or learning difficulties to live life to the fullest. Quantum was the founding sponsor of the Macular Disease Foundation and are an approved supplier to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the NDIS. Quantum collaborate closely with eye care professionals (ophthalmology and optometry practices) and vision support agencies such as Vision Australia, Guide Dogs, and the Royal Society for the Blind. Go to the Quantum website for information about products services, newsletters and events.
https://www.quantumrlv.com.au/
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National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education (NCSEHE)
Funded by the Australian Government Department of Education and Training the NCSEHE’s purpose is to inform public policy design and implementation, and institutional practice, in order to improve higher education participation and success for marginalised and disadvantaged people.
The Centre’s objectives are:
- to be at the centre of public policy dialogue about equity in higher education; and
- to assist in ‘closing the loop’ between equity policy, research and practice by:
- supporting and informing evaluation of current equity practice with a particular focus on identifying good practice
- identifying innovative approaches to equity through existing research and the development of a forward research program to fill gaps in knowledge
- translating these learnings into practical advice for decision makers and practitioners alike.
Whilst the Centre’s focus is equity in higher education, the work of the Centre is not limited to the issue of low SES participation; rather it focuses on equity issues as they relate to a range of marginalised and/or disadvantaged groups in Australia.
Headed by Professor Sue Trinidad, the Centre’s team comprises a group of highly qualified and passionate people with diverse backgrounds, competencies, and experiences.
To find out more go to https://www.ncsehe.edu.au/