Cases of abuse and neglect in the sector currently being heard at the Disability Royal Commission demonstrate how vital it is for people with disability to be confident that their worker is safe, skilled and professional.
Disability Worker Registration Board of Victoria chair Melanie Eagle said disability workers did crucial work with some of the most vulnerable people in the community. Registration acknowledges this and recognises workers for the important work they do.
“We know that disability workers are passionate and proud of their work. There is a huge amount of trust involved between a worker and a person with disability, so knowing upfront that a worker is appropriately assessed provides great confidence,” Ms Eagle said.
“Every day disability workers deliver diverse services to people with disability, ranging from high-level 24-hour personal care to ad hoc support as required.
“Workers that register are not only providing confidence to those with disability, their families and carers, but are showing they want to be part of change in the sector to ensure the right people are working with our loved ones.”
Victoria is leading the way in delivering better safeguards for the sector and is the only state in Australia that has a registration scheme in place for workers, introduced in July last year.
Disability workers that are registered have been deemed suitable by the independent Disability Worker Registration Board of Victoria. The assessment provides additional checks to the NDIS worker screening criminal history check, by assessing a worker’s skills and experience, and commitment to undertaking continuing professional development.
Employers who choose registered disability workers also have the benefit of saving time, money and paperwork, as checks are done by the Victorian Disability Worker Commission.
Disability workers can go online to find out more and to register at vdwc.vic.gov.au/registration
Registration is free and a worker’s skills, experience and track record are all taken into account. Applications are now open for the second year of registration, which runs from October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023. Inquiries can be made by calling 1800 497 132 between 9.30am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.