Disability support services: Workforce training needs and barriers

Publication date: 1 March 2011

This report brings together sector feedback about disability support workforce training needs and barriers. A review of training needs and barriers identified in earlier workforce surveys is also included.

Key workforce training needs which emerged included:

• short courses to develop minimum knowledge and skills required to work in different service settings
• formally recognised qualifications to develop core skills and those in specialist areas
• improved disability knowledge and awareness
• cultural responsiveness
• consumer leadership development training.

Organisational training barriers included an ability to:

• support and encourage workforce training
• respond to diverse workforce characteristics
• develop sustainable workforce training infrastructures.

Training barriers also included the availability of training in some areas and limited awareness of training available. Other challenges included workforce training confidence, skills, motivation, time and resources.