Working with the NDIS to support families at risk -10:00am-2:30pm, June 24th, East Melbourne

Working with the NDIS to support families at risk – training opportunities

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a significant change in how people with disability and service providers interact.

Previously CFS practitioners could refer families to Disability Client Services within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and other specialist community service organisations for a disability support response. With the transfer of responsibility for disability supports moving to the NDIS, all sectors including CFS will need to respond differently to children and families with disability. Frequently, this will mean interfacing with the NDIS.

The NDIS represents an opportunity to support families where there is a disability in new ways. The Scheme can provide valuable tools to help Child and family services (CFS) practitioners focus on early intervention, prevention and joining up services for vulnerable families.

The Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare (the Centre) has been funded by the Department of Health and Human Services to run a series of 20 workshops across the state to help build knowledge and skills in relation to working with vulnerable families where disability is present (in child or parent). Click here to see all available ‘Working with the NDIS’ sessions

These workshops are designed for Child FIRST/Orange Door, Integrated Family Services, Child Protection and out-of-home care workers to provide practical tools and knowledge to better support families with disability.

The training covers:

• Parental perspectives on the experience of caring for a child with disability (delivered by the Association for Children with a Disability).

• NDIS pathways, including the new Complex Support Needs Pathway.

• The roles and responsibilities of CFS staff in working with families with a disability.

• How to recognise early signs that a family may give up care of a child with a disability, and learn the kinds of supports the NDIS can provide to prevent the breakdown of care.

• How to help families prepare for NDIS plans and to optimise the supports they receive from the NDIS

• How to work with Positive Behaviour Support Plans under the NDIS.

These half-day training sessions are free to attend.

Click here to see all available ‘Working with the NDIS’ sessions