Conference expands our Vision to support people with disabilities

Conference expands our Vision to support people with disabilities

We recently held our annual staff conference at the beautiful Macedon Ranges Hotel & Spa. We are happy to say it’s been a great success with everyone engaged and open and willing to participate.

We delivered sessions on topics the team had chosen, both to expand their knowledge and skills around working with complex situations, and to engage in lively and passionate discussion. Topics included responding to complex help-seeking behaviours, mental health and the NDIS, and required reporting.

Highlights included Leanne Healey of Everyday Independence joining us as a guest speaker on the first day, and the Hon. Bill Shorten our special guest on the second.

The Social Model of disability

Leanne talked about what we can all do to ensure that we focus on the strengths and capabilities of all people with a disability. Leanne made some amazing points on thinking about the Social Model of disability – taking the responsibility away from the person’s impairment and placing the responsibility on society. Leanne highlighted the role of Society to remove the barriers, increase access and become more inclusive. Inclusion should happen from birth onwards in a person’s life journey and extend into family, school and work, as well as the community.

NDIS makes a positive impact

Shadow Minister for the NDIS, Bill Shorten spoke about the positive impact he has seen the NDIS have on participants lives, and also the proposed legislative changes to the NDIS act, and how that may affect people living with disability in Australia.

Mr Shorten also enjoyed hearing from our industry experts, on the challenges the people we support are facing. 

Strengthening our team

It was wonderful to see everyone participate in the team-building exercises, and for this, we focused on communication, innovation and problem-solving skills.

We now have 35 staff, most of whom joined us from across the region and Melbourne, some of who have been working with us from the very beginning five years ago when Pathways to Care first launched. We also have some very new additions join our team who we are thrilled to have on board.

From the photos below, you will see lots of smiling faces and we look forward to putting into action the key strategies we have come up with among the entire team to further assist our participants along their pathway to care.

We have gained so much knowledge and inspiration over the Conference, and look forward to the even greater impact we can now make; empowering the people we support.