Disability Employment Australia Annual Report 2014

Annual Report 2014

Represent, Support, Resource

2 Disability Employment Australia

Chairperson’s Report 3

Chief Executive Officer’s Report 5

2013-14 in Review 6

Major Headlines Over the Past Year 6

Promoting and Strengthening Supported Open Employment 8

Policy 10

Operations 13

Capability Development 14

Membership 16

Events 19

Hall of Fame 20

The Year Ahead 2014-15 21

Disability Employment Australia Staff 22

About Disability Employment Australia 22

Board of Directors 23

Table of Contents

Cover image: Wesley Employment Services assisted Luke to attain and complete a Cabinet Making apprenticeship in Melbourne. He was supported by Wesley’s Post Placement Support Team for the first 12 months of his apprenticeship, and is now an independent worker. Luke is due to complete his apprenticeship in 2014.

Annual Report 2014 3

Change, as we know, is ever-present. It is so much a part of our lives that we accept the familiar adage, “the only thing that is constant is change”. Some of the biggest songs of the last 50 years are ruminations on change (Bowie’s ‘Changes’), harbingers of change (Dylan’s ‘The Times They Are A-Changin’’) or even discussions of the delightful possibilities inherent in change (Abba’s ‘Take a Chance on Me’).

Heraclitus (an ancient Greek philosopher and author of the axiom above) believed change was fundamental to the world; he pondered, “If things stay the same, could it be that we are destroying the very thing we wish to preserve?”

And so it is in the disability employment service sector and our Peak, Disability Employment Australia.

The last year has seen a significant change in Disability Employment Australia. Lynette May, the CEO of the last four years, made the decision to seek new challenges. Lynette has done much to reinforce Disability Employment Australia as the pre-eminent Peak Body for Disability Employment Service (DES) providers to government, employers, people with disability and carers, as well as the community and especially our members. She charted deep courses into emerging policy developments, while maintaining a steady hand on the wheel of current program matters.

This change introduced a new CEO, Craig Harrison, to Disability Employment Australia. Craig is very well known to the sector as a long-standing practitioner, and, of course, as a member of Disability Employment Australia’s Hall of Fame. Craig brought his seriously impressive Disability Employment Services acumen along with expertise in policy, communication and networking to the organisation. In the time Craig has been on board, Disability Employment Australia has built on its relationships across employer groups, government and advocacy peak bodies due to his leadership.

Another significant change has been the movement of the DES programs from the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) to a freshly minted Department of Social Services (DSS). This change was a result of a new government in September last year. The foresight in this decision links DES, within the same department, to the nascent NDIS. These are causal developments. They are the building blocks by which disability employment servicing will likely undergo the most significant changes in its history. Disability Employment Australia is deeply involved in these discussions, even at this embryonic stage.

Through all this change Disability Employment Australia has continued its steady and valued position in the sector and with government. As this Annual Report demonstrates, operational support activities have grown over the last year, National Leaders’ Forums continue to generate the dialogue and divergence of view you would expect (Tim Flowers of Saward Dawson upturning the orthodox modes of meeting NDIS opportunities, anyone?).

Similarly, Australia’s Disability Employment Conference 2014 was once again a place for ideas and networking. Craig and his proficient and engaging team are to be congratulated for their work.

I would also like to praise the Disability Employment Australia Board on another successful year providing its expertise and endeavours in a strategic and governance capacity to support Craig and his team through this year of significant change.

In conclusion, and on behalf of the Board, can I say thank you to our members and supporters. Your hard work assisting people with disability gain meaningful employment is one constant in this world of change.

Rick Kane Chairperson

Chairperson’s Report


“Supporting our members to both understand and

respond to the changing environment will remain at

the forefront of our efforts over the coming year.”

Craig Harrison, CEO.

Rebekah works as an assistant with Capalaba Produce, a country style farm,

pet and garden centre in Cleveland, Queensland. She was mentored by

Horizon Foundation’s Link Personnel, and she now reaches out to other local businesses to help create employment

pathways for people with disability.


Chief Executive Officer’s Report

2013-14 has been a year of change at both Disability Employment Australia and for the sector. The change of national government and subsequent change of departmental arrangements has required our significant focus. We have developed relationships with a new Minister and ministerial staff. This has been of major importance as the new government has commenced delivering upon its commitments.

For our sector, the commitment to reduce the regulatory burden is most welcome. As your Peak Body, we have been raising concerns about the complexity of the deed and the related guidelines. We know from member feedback and our sector workforce survey that far too many resources are lost attempting to manage the administrative demands of current contracts.

We will continue to seek advice from our members through our red tape reduction working group. The group allows us to identify the range of short, medium and long-term changes that can enable the refocussing of resources on the real business of assisting people with disability and the employer community to secure valued employment opportunities for participants in the DES program.

The solid reputation established by Disability Employment Australia as a positive and well-informed contributor to policy and program development continues to benefit our members. It has been very pleasing to have our suggestions about reducing red tape receive positive responses from both the Minister’s office and DSS. It is also pleasing to observe how Disability Employment Australia is seen as a key advisor in policy reform and program design. Again, the work of Disability Employment Australia staff over a long period has positioned us well to inform and influence sector change.

It would be remiss of me not to note the increasing impact of the roll-out of the NDIS. The increasing focus upon employment as a key component of the NDIS is of real significance. Our members will be central to delivering upon the increased employment that is not only critical to the sustainability of the NDIS, but also to the aspirations of people with disability.

The continued building of our Capability Development services has been another major focus of Disability Employment Australia this year. Early indications show that incorporating our webinar series into annual membership fees has been positive. It will reduce the administration for both our members and for Disability Employment Australia. We expect the upward usage trend to continue.

As we see continued changes to our contracts and guidelines, and the impacts of proposed changes to welfare payment arrangements, it will continue to be important that Disability Employment Australia stays on top of the policy and program environment. Supporting our members to both understand and respond to the changing environment will remain at the forefront of our efforts over the coming year.

The departure of Lynette May as CEO, alongside organisational restructuring during the year provided some challenges to the Disability Employment Australia team. These included the arrival of a new CEO in February 2014 and the need to manage increased work-loads. I am extremely proud of the commitment and dedication of the operations team at Disability Employment Australia. They have all worked hard to continue to provide quality services to our members.

I am confident that, with continued member support, Disability Employment Australia will remain a positive contributor to the national effort of increasing participation in employment through improving the supported open employment sector.

Craig Harrison CEO


July 2013

Capability Development Webinars

We launched an extensive suite of DES contractual compliance and other topical webinars.

August 2013

Australia’s Disability Employment Conference 2013

We held our annual conference in Adelaide with 440 delegates in attendance.

Hall of Fame inductees

Suzanne Colbert AM, Dr Mark Bagshaw and Dr Vivienne Riches were inducted into the Disability Employment Australia Hall of Fame, recognising their outstanding commitment to disability employment.

September 2013

DES Contractual Compliance Train the Trainer Kit

Project funding was granted from the Department of Social Services to produce a free resource for the sector to aid contractual compliance.

October 2013

National Leaders’ Forum

The October Leaders’ Forum took place in Canberra, and was followed by the AGM. There was a focus on the new Department of Social Services and assessments.

National Disability Employment Initiative

Funding was secured to pilot career advancement services in DES in partnership with 10 member organisations.

February 2014

Chief Executive Officer position

Lynette May resigned as Chief Executive Officer. Craig Harrison appointed as temporary Chief Executive Officer.

2013-14 in Review

Major headlines over the past year

» The Government funded a $640,000 package to assist people with disability to find and keep jobs through new employment partnerships with disability advocates in July 2013

» The Government provided $150,000 for the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) to help champion disability employment in Australia in July 2013

» The Government announced a $1.6 million fund for innovative projects aimed at increasing employment opportunities for people with disability under the National Disability Employment Initiative (NDEI) in July 2013

» Senator the Hon Mitch Fifield was appointed as the new Assistant Minister for Social Services in September 2013. He took responsibility for the NDIS, as well as Disability Employment Services (DES)


» The Disability Employment Services program moved from the former Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) to the new Department of Social Services (DSS) in September 2013

» Jenny Macklin was announced as the Shadow Minister responsible for both disability reform and Disability Employment Services in October 2013

» Patrick McClure was appointed to head the Government’s Welfare Review in January 2014

» The national headquarters for the National Disability Insurance Service (NDIS) opened in Geelong, Victoria, in April 2014

» The Government’s federal budget announcement in May 2014 included measures that would potentially impact upon Disability Support Pension recipients and also signalled the competitive tendering of CRS-run DMS contracts

» The Industry Information Paper on the purchasing of Disability Employment Services – Disability Management Services (DES-DMS) was released in May 2014

» The Australian Human Rights Commission allowed the payment of wages to supported employees in Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs) who had already been assessed under the Business Services Wage Assessment Tool (BSWAT) for another 12 months in May 2014

» Patrick McClure’s Interim Report for the Government’s Welfare Review was released in June 2014, with a period of consultation to follow

» The role of a full time Australian Disability Discrimination Commissioner ceased in June 2014, with the position being incorporated into the Aged Discrimination Commissioner’s portfolio.

March 2014

Achieving DES Star Ratings Workshop

We launched our Achieving DES Star Ratings workshop roadshow.

April 2014

National Leaders’ Forum

The April Leaders’ Forum took place in Melbourne. There was a focus on NDIS alignment and ongoing support.

OECD Mission to Australia

We participated in the OECD Mission to Australia - Social Policies for Youth Roundtable, regarding business/skills and VET.

May 2014

Chief Executive Officer appointment

Craig Harrison was formally appointed Chief Executive Officer of Disability Employment Australia.

June 2014

Capability Development Webinars

Webinar services were integrated as a membership service.

National Disability Employment Initiative

The independent evaluation of our National Disability Employment Initiative project was completed.

DES Contractual Compliance Train the Trainer Kit

We produced a comprehensive DES Contractual Compliance Train the Trainer Kit for the sector, funded by the Department of Social Services.


A particular focus has been advocacy to develop greater understanding within consumer peak bodies of the central role of DES providers in delivering upon the employment aspirations of people with disability. Program design has been misinterpreted as evidence of the lack of effectiveness of DES providers. The historical success of previous iterations of DES must not be ignored in the redesign of the future model of disability employment in Australia.

Political environment

Disability Employment Australia has committed to building a positive and professional relationship with the new national government. Engagement with Minister Fifield and his key advisors has quickly established Disability Employment Australia as a valued partner in the building of an improved future response to disability employment in Australia. We look forward to the opportunity to continue this relationship and to bring the expertise of our members to the discussions around a new disability employment construct that will be crucial to our members, people with disability and the future prosperity of Australia.

A new national government always brings significant opportunity and challenge. Disability Employment Australia has worked with all elements of the national political environment throughout the year. While Members of Parliament change roles when the government changes, our commitment to working proactively with the political process is demonstrated by the key individuals Disability Employment Australia has engaged with in both government and opposition, including:

» Senator the Hon Mitch Fifield, Assistant Minister for Social Services

» The Hon Kevin Andrews, Minister for Social Services

» The Hon Luke Hartsuyker, Assistant Minister for Employment

» Senator the Hon Eric Abetz, Minister for Employment

» The Hon Kate Ellis, former Minister for Employment Participation

» The Hon Bill Shorten, former Minister for Workforce Relations

» The Hon Sussan Ley, former Shadow Minister for Employment Participation

» Senator the Hon Jan McLucas, former Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers

» Senator Rachel Siewert, Greens Party Portfolio for Family, Community and Disability Services.

Government departments

The change in government has seen an alignment of the Disability Employment Services program to broader disability policy through the new Department of Social Services. Of particular importance to the DES program is the bringing of the NDIS, income support and Disability Employment Services together under one cabinet minister. This provides a very strong connection between the objectives of welfare reform and the work of our DES members. It also provides a political environment that will influence the work of the National Disability Insurance Agency in ensuring employment is a key focus of individual planning and coordination as the National Disability Insurance Scheme continues to develop over the coming years.

Promoting and Strengthening Supported Open Employment

This past year has seen Disability Employment Australia continue to build upon

relationships with key networks here in Australia and internationally. Shared

learnings and a strengthening of recognition for Disability Employment Australia’s

thought leadership role are important dividends that flow from this investment.


Along with a renewed and strengthened working relationship with key personnel in the Department of Social Services, we have continued to work actively with a number of other relevant government departments during the year, including:

» The Department of Employment

» The Department of Human Services (DHS)

» The Australian Public Service Commission (APSC)

» The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)

» The former Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR)

» The former Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA).

Key stakeholders

Disability Employment Australia has forged stronger connections with consumer representative groups over the last year, as well as maintaining a diverse portfolio of stakeholder networks across areas relevant to supported open employment. These have included:

Consumer and consumer representative groups, including the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO), People with Disability Australia (PWDA), the Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS), the Mental Health Council of Australia (MHCA), Brain Injuries Australia and the Youth Disability Advocacy Service Victoria (YDAS).

Employers and employer representatives, such as the Business Council of Australia (BCA), the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI), the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), the Victorian Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI), the National Disability Recruitment Coordinator (NDRC), Knox City Council, Drake International, St John of God, and the Australian Network on Disability (AND).

We also engaged with other stakeholders, such as The Able Movement, Kanchi (Ireland), the Careers Education Association of Victoria (CEAV), Social Firms Australia (SoFA), Carley Consulting, Drake Workwise, Social Ventures Australia and Leap Training.

We maintained beneficial relationships with our fellow employment peaks, including Jobs Australia (JA) and National Disability Services (NDS).

National presentations

Over the past year Disability Employment Australia presented at a number of external events, including:

» New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) conference in Sydney

» National Disability Summit 2014 in Melbourne

» Disability Employment South Australia (DESA) symposium in Adelaide.

Research linkages

As part of building the evidence base for advocating on behalf of supported open employment, Disability Employment Australia continues to engage with research and evaluation organisations. Along with an ongoing commitment to accessing research journals and published papers relevant to disability employment and disability policy, we have maintained our direct linkages with both the University of Melbourne and Deakin University.


Policy

Consultations and Submissions

Improving Australia’s Disability Employment Performance

Disability Employment Australia produced twenty succinct policy recommendations across four themes for the new Government. These included: promote open employment first; position DES; support businesses and act affirmatively.

National Disability Employment Initiative Project Funding

In partnership with ten member organisations, Disability Employment Australia successfully applied for funding under the National Disability Employment Initiative to pilot career advancement services in the DES model. An independent evaluation of the project confirmed the project’s success.

Operational Guidelines

Through webinars and face-to-face consultations with members, Disability Employment Australia provided comprehensive feedback on operational guidelines, including: the 52 Week Sustainability Indicator; Direct Registrations; Job in Jeopardy; Eligible School Leavers; Transfers; and outcome eligibility for apprenticeships, traineeships and labour hire arrangements.

DMS Business Reallocation

A Disability Employment Australia analysis of contracts in scope for reallocation raised concerns around the handling of specialist mental health and psychiatric disability contracts. We led the sector and called on the Department to take a closer look. Feedback was given around the transition principles, drawing on lessons learned from the DES-ESS transition. A comprehensive analysis of the reallocation outcomes was produced.

Green Army Programme

Feedback was provided to the Department of Environment regarding its new Green Army Programme, with recommendations as to how the program could better include people with disability.

Disability Employment Infographics

In partnership with Jobs Australia, Disability Employment Australia produced two infographics to raise awareness of disability and unemployment and to illustrate how the DES model works.

DES Workforce Survey

Disability Employment Australia surveyed the DES workforce for the second time in 2013, building on responses from our 2011 survey. A comprehensive analysis of findings was presented to the sector at our National Leaders’ Forum and at Australia’s Disability Employment Conference 2014.

Federal Budget 2014/15

A detailed analysis and webinar was produced for members on the 2014/15 federal budget outlining measures affecting the sector. It was attended by over 85 senior DES managers.

Partial Tender of DES-DMS

Disability Employment Australia led sector lobbying around the contestability of CRS Australia’s 47% share of DES-DMS business and provided feedback regarding its purchasing arrangements and transition principles, primarily around how past performance would be assessed.

Over the 2013-14 period, Disability Employment Australia contributed

significantly to the partial tender of DES-DMS, reducing regulatory

burden and piloting career advancement services in DES. Consultations

with members centred on key operational issues, such as the DES-DMS

reallocation, Star Ratings results and updates to operational guidelines.


Projects

National Disability Employment Initiative (NDEI) Project

Disability Employment Australia’s Career Advancement pilot aimed to test the provision of career advancement services and ultimately bring them into the DES system. The pilot involved 10 DES providers and 113 people with disability over a nine-month period.

At the time of the evaluation, it was reported that 75% of participants had achieved an identifiable improvement in their employment position. While many of these were anticipatory (increased skills relevant to the future), when this ‘increased skills’ category was excluded, 54% of participants had achieved one or more immediate improvements in their work. An independent survey of participants was conducted and found similarly positive outcomes, despite the short project period.

Overall, the outcomes from this limited pilot suggest that there is enormous potential for a targeted career advancement service to produce improvements in conditions and satisfaction for participants as well as wider economic and social benefits for the economy. The NDEI project was funded by DSS and was administered by WorkFocus Australia.

DES Contractual Compliance – Train the Trainer package

Disability Employment Australia developed a free resource with funding from the Australian Government. The package provides DES employment practitioners, particularly frontline managers, with the skills and knowledge to effectively comply with DES provider contract requirements.

Reference Groups and Taskforces

In order to respond to key issues, Disability Employment Australia formed a number of internal reference groups, underpinned by the expertise of members, other key stakeholders and consultants.

NDIS Taskforce and Advisory Group

The Disability Employment Australia NDIS taskforce and advisory group includes member organisations, consumers and independent representation. The taskforce advocates for effective, inclusive employment assistance in the context of a National Disability Insurance Scheme). The advisory group informs strategic recommendations and directions.

Samantha took part in OCTEC Employment Service’s project, Just Good Business, at Panarottis restaurant in Campbelltown, New South Wales. The National Disability

Employment Initiative project worked to address barriers to employment faced by jobseekers with disability through training, mentoring and education for employers.


NDEI Delivery Partners Reference Group

A National Disability Employment Initiative (NDEI) delivery partners group was formed and met regularly throughout the year to report on progress made during Disability Employment Australia’s NDEI Career Advancement pilot. It included representatives from project participants: MAX Employment, SensWide, Great Southern Personnel, Spinal Cord Injuries - Employment Options, Achieve Australia, the ORS Group, SkillsPlus, Job Match Gympie, Advance Personnel Canberra and the Deaf Society of NSW.

NDEI Project Steering Committee

A NDEI project steering committee was also established to guide the Career Advancement pilot. It included representatives from the Career Education Association of Victoria (CEAV), the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI), the Department of Social Services (DSS), the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) and the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC).

Ongoing Support Taskforce

An Ongoing Support Taskforce was convened to provide Disability Employment Australia with expert advice and leadership from our membership base regarding this critical phase of the program. The taskforce sets out to inform policy recommendations and identify best practices.

Red Tape Reduction Taskforce

Responding to the Government’s focus on cutting red tape, a taskforce of members was formed to canvass views on how the regulatory burden in DES could be reduced, thereby making the model more responsive to the needs of people with disability and employers, while remaining cognisant of the Department’s governance role.

Operational Guidelines Consultation Webinars

Throughout the year, Disability Employment Australia hosted open webinar sessions canvassing feedback on how proposed changes to operational guidelines would affect providers, participants and employers.

Working Groups

Disability Employment Australia also worked with the Department of Social Services (DSS) and other bodies to inform industry views and influence policy and procedure-making processes to ensure the DES program achieves outcomes consistent with the objectives of the Disability Services Act 1986.

DES Operational Working Group

The Operational Working Group addresses the dual service priorities of meeting operational requirements and client needs while balancing these with contractual obligations. The group is convened by DSS. Disability Employment Australia represents members by collating their feedback and submitting it to be addressed by the working group.

Information Technology Advisory Group

The Department of Employment established this group in the transition phase of the new DES program. It now continues with revised Terms of Reference as a platform to advise providers of changes and to invite feedback from the sector regarding the ESS IT system.

APS Disability Employment Reference Group

The Australian Public Service (APS) Disability Employment Reference Group is a joint initiative between Disability Employment Australia and the Australian Public Service Commission. The group represents human resources managers at government agencies and aims to enhance the APS’s employer relationship with DES providers. It also acts as a think tank for starting, piloting, and progressing disability employment initiatives in the APS.

Policy continued ...


Pertinent questions and answers are relayed back to the broader membership via regular member bulletins. This allows for a sharing of knowledge across our membership base, and ensures that we are always able to contribute the most relevant information to aid members to improve internal compliance strategies.

The members section of our website acts as a rich repository of operations alerts and provides an archive for Help Desk questions and answers.

Help Desk queries have remained at a consistent level over the past year, with over 400 queries received.

Requests for assistance have come from staff at all levels throughout the sector, with the main topic areas including:

» Outcomes

» Employment Pathway Plans

» Performance Framework and Star Ratings

» Wage Subsidies

» Permissible Breaks

» New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS)

» Ongoing Support

» Service Fees

» Job Placement

» Job Seeker Classification Instrument (JSCI)

» Direct Registrations and eligibility criteria

» Participation Requirements

» Job in Jeopardy.

Operations

Disability Employment Australia has continued to provide members with a

high level of operational support over the past year. Our Help Desk service,

including screen sharing capacity via GoToMeeting, remains an effective way

for members to tackle contractual compliance and other operational queries.

Kurt has been supported by Horizon Foundation’s Link Personnel service in his role at Echelon Sports for more than a year. His duties include cleaning, packaging and

utilising his strong social skills and love of sport to improve the customer experience.


Disability Employment Australia remains the primary provider of Disability Employment Service-relevant training and professional development. Over the past year this has included face-to-face workshops, a broad suite of webinars, as well as bespoke in-house workshops for individual DES providers across Australia. Our timely and specialist sector knowledge allows us to deliver high-quality products that enable DES providers to meet professional development targets as well as improve program outcomes.

During the 2013-14 period we operated a price-differentiated system to allow both members and non-members to benefit from our full suite of Capability Development products. As of 1 July 2014, we made the decision to restrict access to our suite of webinars to members only. Moving forward, webinars are incorporated as a complimentary member benefit. Early feedback on the new model has been extremely positive, and this has been further supported by significantly increased registrations.

Workshops

DES Essentials Train the Trainer

As a finale to our 2012-13 nationwide DES Essentials Train the Trainer workshop tour, we delivered a public workshop in Perth in July 2013. We also conducted an additional four workshops to meet continued demand throughout the year. Delegates left with a sound understanding of our flagship induction product. Participating organisations were better able to adapt content to their unique service delivery models, and to provide a comprehensive induction to the DES program for new staff.

Achieving DES Star Ratings

Our new Achieving DES Star Ratings workshop ran three times, once in Adelaide and twice in Melbourne. The popular offering provided delegates with practical considerations to achieve desired Star Ratings under the DES Performance Framework. Participating organisations were better able to understand how performance builds, or compromises, Star Ratings achievement.

Bespoke training

Disability Employment Australia continued to offer tailored in-house training solutions. Bespoke workshops delivered in the 2013-14 financial year included eight in-house DES Star Ratings sessions for members across the country. We also provided bespoke disability awareness training and DES Essentials Train the Trainer sessions.

Capability Development

With the consolidation of our Capability Development brand

during the 2013-14 period, over 1000 DES professionals have

benefitted from our tailored learning opportunities.


Webinars

We designed nine webinars that responded directly to sector requirements during 2013-14. To enhance the learning outcomes for particular sessions, we developed some of the webinars into short courses, which include two webinar sessions, workbooks and increased interactivity throughout the sessions.

In total, 56 separate sessions were delivered, with over 1200 DES professionals across 110 DES organisations (representing 71% of DES providers) participating in the following webinar sessions:

» DES Performance Framework

» Employment Pathway Plans

» Eligible School Leavers

» Bonus Outcomes

» Job Placement

» Wage Connect

» Job in Jeopardy

» Job Seeker Classification Instrument (JSCI)

» Non-payable Outcomes.

Future initiatives

With the success of the Achieving DES Star Ratings sessions, a national roadshow will bring the product to organisations across Australia in 2014-15. Additionally, we will run a nationwide Train the Trainer DES Contractual Compliance workshop series. This product will be based on our development of compliance training resources for the sector, which was funded by the Department of Social Services during the 2013-14 financial year.

We will also continue to actively develop new webinar topics as the need is identified across the DES program, for example Ongoing Support.

George works as a general labourer in Parks and Gardens with Inverell Shire

Council in New South Wales. BEST Employment worked with George to

find his ideal job as a gardener.


Members of Disability Employment Australia

On 30 June 2014, we had 106 members.

Ability Options Limited

Ability Tasmania Group Inc

Achieve Australia

Advance Personnel (Canberra) Inc

Anglicare Tasmania Inc

Artius

ASTERIA Services Inc

Autism Association of Western Australia Inc

Barkuma Inc

BEST Employment Ltd

Bizlink Inc

BlueLine Employment

Break Thru People Solutions

Campbell Page

CatholicCare Direct Employment

Cerebral Palsy League of Queensland

CHESS Employment

CIM Employment

Communicare Inc

Community Bridging Services Inc (CBS)

Community First International

CVGT Australia

Darwin Skills Development Scheme Inc

Deaf Society of NSW (The)

Each Employment

Echo Australia

EDGE Employment Solutions

Enterprise & Training Company Ltd

EPIC Employment Services Inc

Forrest Personnel Inc

GETT Centre

Gold Coast Employment Support Service Inc

Great Southern Personnel Inc

Greenacres Employment Solutions

Headway Support Service

Hedland Personnel Inc

Hume Employment Service Ltd

Disability Employment

Australia is first and foremost

a membership organisation.

We exist to represent, support

and resource our members to

deliver high quality Disability

Employment Services.

Membership


Ideal Placements

Interwork Ltd

Job Centre Australia Limited

Job Futures Ltd

Jobsupport

Key Employment Association

Kimberley Personnel Inc

LEAD Employment

Leading Directions

Leap Training

Link Personnel

Links Community Services

Macarthur Disability Services

Mai-Wel Limited

Marriott Employment Options

MatchWorks

MAX Employment

MAX Software Solutions

Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria

Minda Inc

Mission Australia

Nexus Human Services

Nortec Employment and Training

Northcott Disability Services

Nova Employment

NQ Employment

OCTEC Inc

Ostara Australia

Outlook Employment

Peel Valley Training Enterprise Inc

Personnel Group (The)

Personnel Placement Consultancies

Personnel West

PVS Workfind

Red Cross Employment Services

Royal Society for the Blind

Salvation Army Employment Plus (The)

SCI Workforce

SkillsPlus Inc

Spinal Injuries Association

St. Laurence Community Services Inc

STEPS Disability QLD

SYC

Sydney Counselling Centre

The Bridge Inc

The Disability Trust

The MS Society of SA and NT Inc

The ORS Group

Tursa Employment and Training

Uniting Care Wesley - Port Adelaide

Uniting Care Wesley Country SA Inc

UnitingCare Community Employment Service

Verto

Victorian Deaf Society

Vision Australia

Waminda Services Ltd

Wesley Employment and Training

Wesley Mission Victoria

Western District Supported Employment Service Inc

Western Vocational Association Inc

Westgate Community Initiatives Group Inc (WCIG)

Westside Community Services Ltd

WISE Employment Ltd

Work Solutions Gippsland

WorkFocus Group

Workpower

Workskil Inc

Xcelerate Employment Services

Your Employment Success


With support from Marriott Employment Options and ‘Ticket to Work’ Sam is

completing a School-based Traineeship as a Business Administration Trainee. Workplace

modifications were made before Sam commenced his traineeship.

Disability Employment Australia prides itself in delivering

relevant, high-quality events that motivate and inspire delegates

in their roles as Disability Employment Service providers.


National Leaders’ Forums

National Leaders’ Forum – 31 October 2013

The October Leaders’ Forum took place in Canberra. There was a focus on the new Department and assessments. The forum attracted 130 delegates.

The Annual General Meeting was held after the Leaders’ Forum. Member representatives elected one new board Director, David Coles. Chris Connor stood down as both Treasurer and Director. Donna Faulkner stepped down as Chairperson to take the role of Vice Chairperson, while Rick Kane (previously Vice Chairperson) was appointed as Chairperson. Director Keryl Neville was appointed Treasurer.

National Leaders’ Forum – 10 April 2014

The April Leaders’ Forum took place in Melbourne. There was a focus on NDIS alignment and ongoing support. The forum attracted 131 delegates.

Australia’s Disability Employment Conference 2014

Australia’s Disability Employment Conference was held in August 2014, however most of the preparatory work occurred in the 2013-14 financial year.

The 2014 conference attracted 340 attendees from 148 organisations to the Gold Coast. Delegate feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and indicated high overall satisfaction, particularly in reference to the program and networking opportunities. With nearly 50 speakers, the conference provided excellent coverage of topical themes, as well as international representation from Ireland, Wales and New Zealand.

International keynote speaker, Professor Sir Mansel Aylward, spoke on tackling barriers to recovery and return to work within a bio-psycho-social model of disability.

Caroline Casey, founder of Kanchi and The Ability Awards in Ireland, motivated delegates with a plenary session on reframing disability and social change.

Former Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes recounted his personal journey and discussed contemporary issues in the disability employment space.

The Department of Social Services was heavily involved in the conference program this year with the presentation of three sessions, including Fiona Buffinton’s address to delegates during the plenary on day two.

Two panel sessions brought together key spokespeople from across the industry, including Patrick McClure, to discuss welfare review and the future of employment for people with disability in Australia. The latter panel was hosted by ABC’s Emma Alberici.

Two post-conference workshops complemented the conference themes, and provided 40 delegates concentrated time with international keynote speaker Professor Sir Mansel Aylward, as well as Star Ratings expertise from Disability Employment Australia’s Senior Policy Advisor, Bevan Burkin.

The annual Gala Dinner was held at the Mercure Gold Coast Resort, and was attended by over 160 guests. The fifth annual Hall of Fame awards were presented during the course of the evening.

Events


This is the fifth year that individuals have been recognised for their contribution to a key legacy in the disability employment or broader disability sector.

Two inductees joined the Hall of Fame in 2014.

Dr Geoffrey Waghorn

Dr Geoffrey Waghorn is a highly-revered academic working in the area of mental health and vocational rehabilitation. He has proven his commitment to promoting the value of people with disability, and their inclusion in the life of their community.

Lucy Macali

Lucy Macali has played a significant role in the development of the national peak body for Disability Employment Services and continues to work with large employers to increase sustainable outcomes for disability employment.

The new inductees join previous recipients, bringing the total acknowledged by the Hall of Fame to 13.

Inducted in 2013:

» Suzanne Colbert AM

» Dr Mark Bagshaw

» Dr Vivienne Riches.

Inducted in 2012:

» Phil Tuckerman AM

» Professor Brian Howe AO.

Inducted in 2011:

» Michael Goldsworthy

» Sue Robertson

» Peter Tanner.

Inducted in 2010:

» Professor Trevor Parmenter AM

» Craig Harrison

» Associate Professor Greg Lewis.

The Disability Employment Australia Hall of Fame recognises excellence

and life-long commitment to the evolution of disability employment

in Australia at a multi-state, national or international level.

Hall of Fame

Heather works in administration for a printing company. She receives Auslan support from the Deaf Society of New South Wales to allow her and her employer to communicate more effectively.


The impact of the National Disability Insurance Scheme will become more evident on the Disability Employment Services sector, and we will look to the new government for the implementation of reforms based on the current Welfare Review.

Disability Employment Australia will work to ensure that DES is positioned as a significant part of the solution to ensuring employment remains a central element of the NDIS. We will also continue to develop our already strong relationship with government and the Department of Social Services to influence and inform policy and forward-thinking around a range of issues relevant to the sector.

While we will remain responsive to a changing environment and to emerging issues that impact our membership, over the coming year our focus will be upon:

» The key issues facing our members, including:

- Reducing the administrative burden in the DES program

- Advocating a better financial environment

- Improvements in the performance framework

- Procurement and business reallocation stability

» Delivering improved member services through our Capability Development offerings

» Building relationships with key consumer representative organisations

» Engaging with employer peaks to increase awareness of DES as a key recruitment source

» Developing our relationship with the National Disability Insurance Agency

» Extending our partnerships with research-focussed organisations to better articulate the evidence base in our work with government

» Positioning Disability Employment Australia as a central informant in the design of the next iteration of disability employment, with particular reference to:

- The centrality of supported open employment as the primary model in disability employment

- The presumption of employability of all people with disability

- Consistency with the principles articulated in the NDIS

- Collaborative and joined-up systems approaches

- Innovative and localised responses

- Procurement arrangements that reflect the primacy of the relationship between Disability Employment Services and people with disability

- A regulatory environment that reduces the compliance focus and maximises the direction of resources to increased employment outcomes for people with disability.

The Year Ahead 2014-15

Looking to the future, the 2014-15 financial year is likely to be a

period of consolidation for disability employment in Australia.

Craig Harrison Chief Executive Officer

Bevan Burkin Senior Policy Advisor

Heather Wilson Communications Manager

Maja Vranjkovic Operations Specialist

Helen Roland Membership Services and Executive Assistant

Vicki Brennan Accounts Manager

Disability Employment Australia Staff

About Disability Employment Australia

Disability Employment Australia is the peak industry body for Australia’s Disability Employment Services (DES).

We are recognised internationally as the preeminent organisation representing, supporting and resourcing the disability employment sector throughout Australia.

As a membership organisation, we exist to represent the interests of Disability Employment Services at a national level to government and a range of other stakeholders, such as consumer and employer groups.

Disability Employment Australia supports the Australian Government to deliver high quality employment support to people with disability in Australia.

We have a unique responsibility to foster innovation and flexibility of service within the Disability Employment Services program.

We support our members to achieve best practice service provision in their role to find employment outcomes for people with disability.

We advise, advocate, train, inform and undertake events to strengthen and promote the sector.

We believe in the right of every member of society to be included fully in the community, and to have control over their own life choices. Participation in the open labour market is a crucial factor in recognising this goal.

We strive to inspire, challenge and celebrate the Disability Employment Services sector.

Represent | Support | Resource

Rick Kane Chairperson Policy Advisor, WISE Employment, Victoria

Donna Faulkner Vice-Chairperson Executive Director, Work Solutions Gippsland, Victoria

Keryl Neville Treasurer CEO, LEAD Employment, Australian Capital Territory

Ross Lewis Board Member CEO, Break Thru People Solutions, New South Wales

Garry Davison Board Member General Manager, Jobmatch Employment Agency, Queensland

Cherie Jolly Board Member Employment Services Manager, Uniting Care Wesley – Port Adelaide, South Australia

David Coles Board Member Service Manager, Personnel Employment, South Australia

Board of Directors

Level 4, 140 Bourke Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000.

Phone: +61 3 9012 6000

Email: [email protected] Web: disabilityemployment.org.au

youtube.com/disabilityemployment

bit.ly/DESGroup

facebook.com/disabilityemployment

twitter.com/disabilityemplt

Documents

Disability Employment Australia Annual Report 2014