2 positions at Branch Out Cafe - Carers ACT

http://www.carersact.org.au/employment/current-vacancies

Café Coordinator
Temporary and part time at 15-20 hours per week
Help people with a disability and/or mental illness to build work ready skills
Free Parking

Branch Out Café is a Social Enterprise that is designed to build the skills and confidence of young adults with a disability and/or mental illness in a real world setting and prepare them for future employment in the hospitality industry. The Café is a funded program until June 30 2013 and the Café Coordinator plays an integral role of building business capacity for the program with the view to becoming a self funded program.

Café Trainer
Temporary part time at 20-30 hours per week
Help people with a disability and/or mental illness to build work ready skills
Free Parking

Branch Out Café is a Social Enterprise that is designed to build the skills and confidence of young adults with a disability and/or mental illness in a real world setting and prepare them for future employment in the hospitality industry. The Café is a funded program until June 30 2013 and the Café Trainer plays an integral role in training the trainees to achieve the competencies against the training program.

APAC 2013

http://www.apac13.org.au/

Asia Pacific Autism Conference, 8-10 August 2013

Survey for people with autism about the conference:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/APAC13

Speakers:
http://www.apac13.org.au/speakers

Register your interest:
https://webserver.aomevents.com/ei/getdemo.ei?id=199&s=_5GW0XS1Y1

Call for Abstracts:
http://www.apac13.org.au/call-for-abstracts

10 things you can do to support a person with difficult behaviours

really like this approach.

Supporting a person with difficult behaviors begins when we make a commitment to know the person. Sadly,  it is often the case that the people who develop an intervention to stop someone from engaging in difficult behaviors do not know the individual in any meaningful sense.  Instead, they see the person as a someone (or something) that needs to be fixed, or modified.  But attacking a person’s behavior is usually ineffective and always disrespectful.

http://www.dimagine.com/10things.pdf

Carers abuse their charges

 TONY JONES, PRESENTER: Disabled rights advocates are calling for a public inquiry into widespread allegations of abuse of disabled people living in care.

Disability groups say physical and sexual abuse is rampant in the system and blame poor staff training and a culture of cover-up.

http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2012/s3589045.htm

Disability advocates allege epidemic of abuse in care

Disability rights advocates are calling for a royal commission into widespread allegations of abuse of disabled people living in care.
Disability groups say physical and sexual abuse is rampant in the system, and blame poor staff training and a culture of cover-up.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/latest/14837998/disability-advocates-allege-epidemic-of-abuse-in-care/

Searching for honest answers - Canberra

Why did government agencies allow Jack Sullivan to be placed in a respite facility - where he later died - which they knew had a questionable history? SUE O'REILLY reports

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/opinion/searching-for-honest-answers-20120914-25xlf.html#ixzz26ZkqJeG3

DPLN seminar reminder AND change of date

Please note, the first session has been pushed back one week due to an unavoidable clash and afternoon sessions will now run from 1-3 pm, rather than 2-4 pm.

ACT Disability Professionals Learning Network (DPLN)

Seminar Series 2012

“Supporting people with intellectual disability to better manage their health”

The DPLN seminar series is designed to provide accessible training and education for direct support staff in the ACT Disability Sector. This year’s theme is “health and intellectual disability”, and aims to build upon the 2011 seminar series on Positive Behaviour Support.

Research indicates that people with intellectual disability have poorer health than the general community, and are at particular risk with regards to certain conditions. Research also indicates that disability support staff have an important role to play in helping individuals with intellectual disability to better manage their health. This series and these topics have been chosen in response to this research.

Each seminar is a stand-alone module, so you can attend the entire series or only those sessions of particular interest to you. Seminars will include a presentation, interactive exercises and an opportunity to ask questions of the presenter. Slides and handouts will be available to those people who cannot make a session but have an interest in the topic. Further details regarding each seminar will be forwarded closer to the day.

The seminars will be held on the first Thursday of each month (except for the first seminar!) at Nature Conservation House - on the corner of Emu Bank and Benjamin Way Belconnen. You can choose from one of two sessions – either 10 am to 12 noon OR 1.00 pm to 3.00 pm. The seminars are free of charge.

To register your interest please e-mail david.addison@act.gov.au

Date	Topic
5 July Tues 10 July	Meeting the health needs of people with intellectual disability (Agnes Sarlay and David Addison – Disability ACT)
Thursday 2 August	Mental health (David Addison – Disability ACT)
Thursday 6 September	Diabetes (Terri Berenguer – Diabetes ACT)
Thursday 4 October	Epilepsy (Janelle Walker – ACT Health Directorate)
Thursday 1 November	Footsure (Sarah Marshall – ACT Health Directorate)
Thursday 6 December	Dementia and intellectual disability (To be advised)

Inclusive Learning Technologies Conference 2012

From Jannette:

I mentioned this conference at a support group today and was surprised so few people knew about Spectronics - especially those with a need for communication devices - so I though I'd share. I attended this conference in 2010, and was amazed at the technology available to help our kids, and different approaches to teaching that were being discussed. I highly recommend it to anyone who can manage to get there - even if it means applying for funding.

https://www.facebook.com/ILT2012.Conference

 The ILT2012 Conference focuses on inclusive learning technologies to support struggling students and those with disabilities – in the classroom and beyond!

So Safe Training for Disability Workers

For Disability Workers
Visual & Conceptual Tools to promote Social Safety
SoSAFE! is a set of visual and conceptual tools designed to promote social
safety to clients with an Intellectual Disability (moderate to severe range)
and Autism Spectrum Disorder. SoSAFE! tools promote social safety through
the provision of a simplified and rule-governed model of social reality that
teaches the type and degree of verbal and physical intimacy appropriate with
different categories of people.
SoSAFE! Training 2012:
* Thursday 19th April 2012
* Tuesday 10th July 2012
* Tuesday 2nd October 2012
For further information or to enrol in this course visit www.shpfact.org.au

Know Before You Go: train-the-trainer course

Do you want to build YOUR capacity to EMPOWER people to CHOOSE their own
path to SOCIAL participation?
Nican will be running an 8 week course to provide community workers,
stakeholders and champions with the skills to develop and facilitate small
groups to build confidence and empower people facing isolation and
disadvantage towards greater social and economic participation.
Know Before You Go train-the-trainer will be held at the DISH@Oatley (62
Oatley Court, Belconnen) for two hours each Tuesday morning for 8 weeks. The
course starts Tuesday 20 March and finishes Tuesday 8 May 2012. The course
is funded through an ACT Government Adult Community Education (ACE) grant
and is offered free of charge.
What will you get?
. Training on how to run a learning circle
. 8 weeks of learning in a small group with an emphasis on practical
techniques
. Hands on experience with the learning circle format and the tools
included in the Know Before You Go kit
. A range of learning circle materials contained in a high value
presentation folder plus a USB credit card kit
. Certificate of completion
To apply...
For an application form, contact Jim McGrath at Nican on 6241 1220 or at
projects@nican.com.au

Training - Certificate II - Community Services

Train4Life still have 5 places left in their latest Certificate II in
Community Services. This qualification is suitable for people aged 15-25
years who have left school, are looking for employment, and may be
interested in working with people in the community sector.
Training will involve a number of short 4 hour workshops spread over a 5
week period and include opportunities to gain industry work experience.
Explore the potential for your future in any of a variety of Community
Sectors including Disability, Aged Care, Children Services, Youth Work,
Mental Health Work, and more.
Cost is only $100 per person.
For more information, or to enrol contact Kris on 6258 0008 or email at
admin@train4life.com.au

Countering Harassment & Bullying Workshop coming up next week

Training Opportunity offered by the ACT Human Rights Commission
Countering Harassment & Bullying Workshop coming up next week on Thursday 8
March
Are you confident that you could deal with harassment and bullying if you
heard about it, saw it happening, or were experiencing it in the workplace?
Our workshop provides comprehensive and lively coverage of these critical
questions, and will:
* Increase your insight into how harassment and bullying can happen;
* Enable you to recognise behaviour that could be harassment and
bullying;
* Enhance your understanding of the impact of harassment and
bullying;
* Build your knowledge of how harassment and bullying is covered by
both the
Discrimination Act 1991, and ACT work safety law; and
* Provide strategies for dealing with, and preventing harassment and
bullying.
This workshop is interactive, and draws on real-life cases. It is open to
anyone interested in changing their workplace culture for the better,
whatever your role within your organisation.
Held from 9:30am - 1pm in civic, $200 or free for the community sector or
private individuals.
To register, go to http://www.hrc.act.gov.au/content.php/content.view/id/184
or ring Jennifer Bauer on 6205 2222 for more information.

Understanding Aspergers & ASD -workshop

 sorry, the email turned out to be nearly unreadable on the blog...

please read this PDF for all the info you need http://fabic.com.au//Meretici/admin/file/2012_Workshops/03%2004%2012_Canberra_UnderstandingASD.pdf

Diabetes Training Workshop

Train4Life will be hosting a 3 hour Diabetes Training Workshop on 14/3/2012. The workshop will be presented by Tracey Morgan who has worked in a variety of settings as a Registered Nurse for over 20 years. This workshop has previously been provided to clinicians and is now being offered to the community sector. The course covers;

• What is type 1 diabetes?

• What is type 2 diabetes?

• What is GDM?

• Signs and symptoms

• Who should be screened and when?

• What are the risk factors?

• How is Diabetes treated and monitored?

• Be able to identify symptoms and understand the treatment of hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia

• Diabetes medication options?

• Insulin Therapy

• Insulin Devices

• Blood glucose monitoring devices, when to use, where and why?

• Exercise benefits for people with diabetes

• Nutrition tips for people with diabetes

Cost: $115 per person

Introduction to Discrimination Law Workshop next Tuesday 28 February

Introduction to Discrimination Law Workshop coming up next Tuesday 28 February

The Discrimination Act ensures that everyone in our community is treated fairly in public life, including in employment, education, access to premises, accommodation and the provision of goods and services.
Facilitated by ACT Human Rights Commission staff, this workshop will:
* Provide participants with a practical understanding of the purpose, scope and operation of the Discrimination Act 1991;
* Outline what constitutes unlawful discrimination in the ACT and the difference between direct and indirect discrimination;
* Highlight the exceptions you might need to know about discrimination;
* Discuss sexual harassment, vilification and victimisation;
* Discuss different types of liability and how this affects individuals and organisations;
* Examine various current discrimination cases and look at the discrimination issues arising from each case;
* Outline the role of the ACT Human Rights Commission and our complaints handling process.
* This workshop will engage participants in a range of ways and is pitched to employers, service providers and those who want to know more about their rights.

Held from 9:30am - 1pm in civic, $200 or free for the community sector and private individuals.
To register, go to http://www.hrc.act.gov.au/content.php/content.view/id/184 or ring Jennifer Bauer on 6205 2222 for more information.

6 month peer supervision project

We are pleased to offer you the following opportunity:
P2P
Innovative practice for community workers
Hosted by: OzHelp Foundation
Supported by: Northside Community Services, Woden Community Services, Anglicare & Nasrin Lucas (private practitioner)
PLACES ARE LIMITED

INFORMATION SESSION: Please indicate your preference
* Wednesday, 14 March 2012, 9:30am - 10:30am, Majura Hall, Dickson
* Thursday, 15 March 2012, 9.30am - 10.30am, Woden Community Services, Woden
About P2P:
Be part of this 6 month pilot project. Working as a "front-line community worker" can be very challenging. Therefore, it is important to have the opportunity to debrief and to exchange experiences. You have the possibility to participate in this six month pilot project: "P2P (peer to peer) - Innovative practice for community workers". This peer supervision group aims to be practical, structured and to give participants the possibility to learn new ways to solve problems. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to network. P2P aims to provide community workers with a confidential, safe and supportive environment, to reflect on professional practice. Community workers will improve their self awareness and take responsibility for their practice.
Frequency: Meetings will be once a month for 1 ½ -2 hours
Cost: We are able to provide you with this amazing opportunity for free Target group: Community workers who provide direct client service
OzHelp will facilitate a compulsory (free) training session to those participating in the project. This session will review the structure of P2P; set the framework, establish groups and how participants can ensure their effectiveness. This training will be facilitated by Pamela Rycroft: Pam is a psychologist and family therapist who has worked in mainstream psychiatry and community mental health, ambulance crisis line and private practice, as well as working with The Bouverie Centre since 1986 (Melbourne). Furthermore, she has extensive experience in setting up supervision groups. Training session date: 3 April 2012.
Why are we doing this?
In 2011 OzHelp Community Services (OCS) commissioned a needs assessment of the ACT Community Services Sector in order to develop an understanding of the support needs of this sector and an evidence base for proposed future services. The major findings indicated that support needs were substantial; organisations had a lack of resources able to be allocated to supporting workers needs.
In conjunction with the needs assessment OCS conducted a conference for ACT Community Services staff during which a 'solutions' workshop was held to generate ideas for managing support needs. This workshop generated valuable ideas, one of which was 'Facilitating and coordinating access to supervision'. Within this area workers suggested the coordination and facilitation of group strengths-based supervision models (peer supervision).
Prior to OzHelp's work in this area CDNET, held a Reflective Practice Group for workers in the ACT Community Services Sector. This group focused on self care and supervision needs. The feedback received by participants in this group was extremely positive as it provided a chance to put reflections into practice and ensure supported practice.
Based on the feedback received through both the above projects an initial working group was formed to explore the viability and potential implementation of a peer supervision model into the ACT Community Services Sector. Furthermore, the OzHelp Community Services Needs Assessment (ACT) concluded that the 'support services' workforce can often be the least supported. The project will establish and deliver a peer support program for the community sector and establish sufficient support for community workers. The P2P group can be used as a confidential tool to debrief difficult work situations and tricky client contacts. The aim is that community workers in the ACT will feel better supported and valued in their important roles.
Values & Benefits
Basic Values:
* Confidentiality
* Trust
* The creation of a place for growth
* Safety
* Respect
* Commitment to the project

Peer supervision has a lot of benefits for you:
For individual participants peer supervision has been found to:
* Improve communication and interactive skills
* Provide sympathy and support in difficult situations
* Improve professional interactions with clients, customers and employees
* Provide a feeling of solidarity in knowing that others are having similar experiences
* Promote good physical and mental health
* Improve problem solving skills
* Increase work satisfaction
* Assist professional discussions
* Increase access/frequency of supervision
* Increase skills and responsibility for self assessment
For the organisation the benefits of peer supervision include:
* Improvement of quality of work and better work performances
* Cost effective personnel development as dependency on expert supervision decreases
* Better qualified employees
* Development of a shared supportive organisational culture
* A positive impact on client service
(K.-O., 2008; Paderborn, 2011; ReciproCoach, 2009; Benshoff, 1998 cited in McNicoll, 2008) Additional Information
This project was made possible with assistance from the ACT Government under the ACT Community Services Grants Program.
To register for this project, for the information session or for more information, Please contact the OzHelp Community Services Team on
E-mail: ocs@ozhelp.org.au<mailto:ocs@ozhelp.org.au>
Phone: (02) 6251 4166
Fax: (02) 6251 4366
Postal Address: PO Box 1655, Fyshwick ACT 2609

Training: Introduction to Sexuality and Health

Introduction to Sexuality and Health
Cost: $295 per person with discounts available for SHFPACT Members;
Organisations sending more than one staff member and full time students.
Dates: March 26th, 27th, and 28th.
SHFPACT's core unit in sexuality, Introduction to Sexuality and Health, is
designed for teachers, youth workers, community workers, social workers and
those interested in gaining knowledge and skills in the area of sexuality
and reproductive health.
During this 3-day course, participants will develop skills in:
- Basic knowledge and understanding of:
o Anatomy and physiology of human sexuality
o Sexual function and dysfunction
o Pregnancy, birth and contraception
o Reproductive and sub-fertility issues
o STIs, HIV and safer sex
o Sexuality events in the lifecycle
- Knowledge or community resources and organisations
- Ability to communication about sexuality effectively and
comfortably
- Preparing and providing appropriate information about sexual and
reproductive health to address the needs of individuals and groups of
clients in a non-judgemental manner
- Responding to confidently to questions about sexuality
- Familiarity with current resources in the area of sexuality

Accreditation:
This course fulfils the unit CHCCED311A Provide sexual and reproductive
health information to clients
Assessment tasks include a pre-assessment, participation in interactive
modules, and a post-course workbook. Assessment may also include Recognition
of Prior Learning or Competence.
Enrolment:
Please register your interest in the course as early as possible as a
minimum number of participants is required in order for the course to run.
Enrolments will be accepted up until 2 weeks before the start of the course.
Contact us:
For more information or to register interest please check our website at
http://www.shfpact.org.au or telephone Megan on 6163 3420

DISH @ Oatley

Most people who are looking for information about services and supports would agree that there is much to gain when government and community work together.

For people with disability who live in the ACT, the idea for such a partnership has become a reality with the establishment of a new venture called the DISH@oatley.

The DISH, Disability Information and Support Hub is a unique collaboration between Belconnen Community Services, Woden Community Services, House with No Steps and the ACT Government through Disability
ACT.

 http://www.bcsact.com.au/media-a-publications/latest-news-a-events/173-u
nique-partnership-brings-big-benefits-for-people-with-disability

ACT Education & Training Directorate - Parent Workshop Inclusive Technology Show & Tell

ACT Education & Training Directorate - Parent Workshop

Inclusive Technology Show & Tell

Exploring technology options for students with special needs

When: Tuesday, 13th March 2012

Time Session 1: 9.30—11.30 am
or
Time Session 2: 7.00—9.00 pm

Where: Hedley Beare Centre for Teaching and Learning, Fremantle Drive, STIRLING

Room: 5-6

RSVP: Tuesday 6th March 2012

Contact Officer: Diane Chapman

6205 9300

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Education & Student Engagement,
ACT Education & Training Directorate

Autism Spectrum Disorder workshop - UK Education Advisor coming to Canberra (27 March 2012)

EARLY BIRD CLOSES 24 February 2012

Is delighted to announce its first workshop for 2012 with guest speaker

Jenny Fox Eades

(UK Education Advisor and parent of child with ASD diagnosis)

1 Day Interactive Workshop

Using the Strength Based Approach to teaching, learning, working and living with people on the autism spectrum

Tuesday 27 March 2012 9.00am - 3.00pm (Registration 8.45am)

Venue: Southern Cross Club, Jamison.

Address: Cnr Catchpole & Bowman Streets Macquarie ACT 2614

See attached flyer for more information for details on this workshop or visit

http://www.autismaspergeract.com.au/content/jenny-fox-eades-presents-strenghts-based-approaches

or phone 6176 0514