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Autumn 2005

Disability Worker calls for Minimum Training Standards

A HACSU member who is an experienced disability services worker, having worked in the Children With Challenging Behaviours Program has sent out an SOS to the State Government to fund mandatory training programs following a series of incidents at her work.

The member, who wants to remain anonymous for fear of repercussions, claims inadequate training is putting the safety of workers in serious jeopardy.

"I have worked in disability for years, and the situation is now very serious."

"There are so many great people working in disability but often they come in with little or no training."

"It is a serious situation when you have people come in untrained into the Children With Challenging Behaviours Program."

"They come in, no training, being told nothing or completely the wrong thing about the people they are looking after."

"You walk into a room with a client with a history of aggressive episodes and your work colleague, unaware, has left knives and can openers on the benches."

"People are told this client is passive and quiet. Then they walk into a lion's den with just two days training."

"It says a lot about the system when they are sending untrained staff into the very difficult areas of disability services."

"You also get into situations where you are by yourself with no backup and it can be really tough. What is your response when you have no training in minimum restraint and you are being seriously
threatened and by yourself?"

"There are also people who give medication who are not medication
endorsed, or without current first aid certificates."

"We have to establish a system of minimum training standards, and a much better client briefing system."

"It is high time disability services was treated with respect, where there is respect for the safety and health of staff and where clients have well trained staff offering quality services."