New Commission enforces stronger safeguards for people with disability
People with disability can now make a complaint about any disability worker in Victoria with stronger safeguards introduced by government legislation, which commence under the new Victorian Disability Worker Commission today.
Led by Victorian Disability Worker Commissioner Dan Stubbs, the Commission will act on complaints about the conduct of disability workers. The Commission will have the power to ban any worker who is unfit to deliver disability services.
To protect the safety of service users, the Commission will require every disability worker in Victoria to comply with a new Disability Service Safeguards Code of Conduct.
The new standards recognise the basic right to safe, high quality disability services for people with disability and will ensure protections are in place regardless of funding arrangements for the service they engage. The standards are also aligned to the NDIS Code of Conduct.
As part of preventing unsafe service provision, the Commission will also require disability workers and providers to formally notify of certain conduct which places service users at risk.
The Commission welcomes people with disability who experience problems with their disability worker to come to the Commission. The Commission will assist people with disability through the complaints process and take a ‘no wrong door’ approach that puts service users first.
The new safeguards were developed in response to key recommendations of the Victorian Parliament’s 2016 Inquiry into Abuse in Disability Services.
To build the quality of the disability sector, the Commission will support the Disability Worker Registration Board of Victoria to oversee the registration of disability workers in July 2021 – a process delayed by one year given the uncertainties of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
The Commission enforces the new safeguards among heightened awareness about the safety of disability services, the Disability Royal Commission and the risks and challenges of Coronavirus (COVID-19) for people with disability.
Media release from The Hon Luke Donnellan MP, Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers.
Quotes attributable to Victorian Disability Worker Commissioner, Dan Stubbs
“People with disability have a right to strong safeguards for services they rely on. That’s why we’re building a stronger, safer disability sector in Victoria.”
“As Commissioner, my role will be to provide the strongest safeguards in Australia for disability services.”
“At a time when people with disability are more isolated and vulnerable than ever, we will support and protect people’s basic right to safety - and their right to live free from harm and abuse.”
Media Contact: Susan Jones, 0436 310 415 or mediaenquiries@vdwc.vic.gov.au