“Some people are having trouble coming to terms with the fact that they are in the employment services market”.
I was told that yesterday.
I am one of these. I thought DEEWR (our funding body) was in the employment services market and I ran a charity that was created to help people who have a disability gain work.
While I realise that there’s an intersection there, there is also considerable difference. I don’t see ‘the disabled’ as a homogeneous group (I realise that they all, or at least 720,000 receive welfare payments). For example, I am embarrassingly ignorant of the needs of folk that are blind, sending all such job seekers to Vision Australia who are just much better at it.
Now, if you are Deaf, that’s a different story, NOVA has a team of highly skilled Auslan signing Employment Consultants who travel Sydney supporting hundreds of job seekers and workers (well done David and team: www.deafjobs.com.au). We do pretty well with a wide range of other disabilities as well and we are just crackerjack at helping young adults with disability transition from school to work.
Government (and I think this is the Department rather than the politicians, who seem to be able to exercise only limited control) want a ‘one stop shop’- they’ve seen them overseas and, ‘if it’s good enough to fail in other countries we should let it happen here’, seems to be the idea ). The proposed disability employment program beginning in 2010 is clearly a step toward integration of the DEN (the Disability Employment Network) into conglomerate enterprises offering all government employment programs (2012).
Deary-me.
See, we had this. We called it the Commonwealth Employment Service (CES). It was different inasmuch as it was owned by all Australians and so did not make profit that could be sent overseas, but it was a ‘one stop shop’ that offered all programs.
Not all people with disability missed out but large groups were disenfranchised by the program which lacked specific excellence (like NOVA with people who are blind) or had only local expertise.
Why would we move this way?
Because it’s simpler to administer and cost savings can be made in reducing the number of programs government deals with. It’s at the expense of the most disadvantaged but numerically (and this is very important for its administrators) the program may even increase the number of people it assists.
Is there another way?
Of course, I wouldn't’t have dragged you this far if there weren’t.
Government wants to reduce the number of people in receipt of welfare. For different reasons so do I.
The present political party in charge has promised to remove the cap on the number of persons who can receive help – truthfully and sincerely, well done, great news, vote-winner.
So why then get involved in the administration? This makes no sense and can only lead to tears. Offer a payment for results and simply hang the offer in the breeze. If I, you, or any other person can come along, see an opportunity and earn the payment – let us. If we flourish it is because we do a good job, not because we have skilled tender writers. If we fail, the market has spoken.
If a person or group has specific excellence, can sign up enought people to run a viable program for their special interest or skill they will achieve what the Commonwealth wants by helping these gain work.
Groups of people will not be wandering the streets searching for programs, programs will seek for them (economics in action).
This appears to be common sense.
What protection(s) would exist?
Keep the Quality Assurance program and monitor monies paid out through a cross check with a reduction in Centrelink payments.
This would allow people with disability the dignity of choice, promote social inclusion and, most importantly, it would work.
Common sense – so I doubt we’ll see it, instead there’s grief on the horizon for the most disadvantaged.
Sorry, I am having trouble coming to terms with the fact that I am in the "Employment Services Market".
Would you like a face-to-face meeting with Martin via Skype? Click the button below to make an appointment
Subscribe to this Blog - blog.novaemployment.com.au Copy the link above and paste it into your favourite Reader to subscribe to an RSS feed of this blog. To watch a short video explanation of RSS and how it helps you save time reading the web click here
Your Comments There are currently no comments on this article
Previous Posts
Fair Warning
I'm giving fair warning of my intention to expose examples of the current DES-ESS contract's exploitation.
I have written to the Commonwealth expressing my concerns about clear manipulation of the present contract....
Fundamentals
The new contract for Disability Employment Services (DES) will not bring performance improvement.
Government will scratch it's head, blame the economy, blame people with disability, talk about educating employers and spend money on consultations before coming to the conclusion that people with disability must meet more stringent 'mutual obligations'....
100%
Each year, around about the International Day of People with a Disability (IDPwD) NOVA Employment holds a formal graduation for students that have participated in our pre-employment programs....
Profiting from poverty
Profiting from Poverty
I am genuinely horrified by this disaster: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/02/the-demerit-system-is-ruthless-social-policy-designed-to-keep-the-poor-powerless
I believe that we presently represent the job hopes of around 1500 people, in various stages of their progression to independent employment....
New Contract but no change!
New Contract but no change!
Today marks the first day of a new Disability Employment Service (DES) contract.
There are new players and new rules....
Administrative Overload
'It's nice to be busy' and 'busy is better than idle' and all of my mum's other sayings about work being good for you, and all of them said; we're drowning!
The administrative burden of a new Disability Employment Service contract (starts July 1st) and the mountains of paperwork required for an NDIS dollar (approximately 10X that of the former TTW program) has seen us add 3 extra staff to the admin team and we are still receiving a large volume of enquiries that are causing us some time delay in getting back to folk....
Podcasts I've been learning all about Podcasts (I suspect that this may be a long road!)
However, getting paid to be inspired is not the worst way to spend a Monday afternoon and that is just how my day has gone....
Lucky Lucky
I am truly fortunate to work with the very best people in this great nation and we are truly lucky to be part of the best short film festival this side of anywhere!
"Focusonability" voting starts today and there is an even larger number of films (287) than last year....
On the money Sometime over the next week a new Disability Employment Service contract will be announced.
We are moving into a new world of greater consumer choice and greater mobility of job seekers....
Making a tough job tougher!
Making a tough job tougher
It isnt easy to get a decent job and its harder to do so if you have a disability.
NOVA employs around 190 people, an effective and experienced team who are able to draw upon a staff of highly skilled trainers and a support program honed over almost 30 years and tens of thousands of participants....
Your Work There was never any doubt in my mind that I would work. My dad told me I would work and there wasn't ever a suggestion that my future held an alternative option....
Not so bad! Taken from: Today's Guardian at 4.09pm Tuesday 7th November 2017:
www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2016/jun/23/russia-and-the-us-have-the-worst-employment-gaps-for-disabled-people
In a world full of discouragement there’s always a space for good news....
Informed Choice
The NDIS mantra is 'choice and control'
To be valuable, choice needs to be informed.
Since 2010:
Average Sydney Disability Employment Services placement rates are 34....
Hard Job
It's voting time at "Focusonability" - with a record number of films entered, a tremendous effort by more than 100 High Schools and 19 countries competing in the International section it was always going to be a hard job to pick a winner....
Choice & Control
The NDIS slogans around choice and control demonstrate the importance of consumer involvement in both the choice and control of supports they need.
However, in order to be valuable, choice needs to be informed by accurate data such is this: http://www....
Belfast
Last week (14-16) it was my privilege to attend the 1st World Supported Employment Conference in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
"Employment for All - A Global Perspective" brought workers from around the globe (primarily Europe) to discuss best practice in supported employment....
Quality and the Stars Quality and the Stars
There have probably been few people more openly critical of the Disability Employment Service (DES) Star Ratings than me.
The Stars, ranging from 1 to 5 are supposed to give some insight into whether a service is a poor or high performing program....
DEA Forum
Attended the Disability Employment Australia (DEA) forum in Canberra. THis is a regular get together that offers disability employment services tha chance to be kept up to date from our funding body and also listed to expert speakers on topics associated with the goal of seeing as many people as possible find and keep suitable employment....
Greatest Asset
NOVAs greatest asset is its staff. I suspect you would struggle to find the CEO of any organisation state their staff are not vital and at the core of business reputation and results....
A corner turned?
We are presently holding events to promote employment for people with disability - nor surprise there, that's our job.
What has been a surprise is the willingness of employers to come along and listen and more importantly, to consider adopting inclusive employment practices across their organisations....
Subscribe to this Blog