First Annual Disability Law Intensive: Navigating Workplace Challenges in the Disability Sector – half day intensive

Running a disability service comes with complex legal responsibilities, and staying compliant is no easy task. From navigating SCHADS and modern award obligations to managing risk incidents and workplace safety, disability service providers must be prepared for evolving challenges. TEN The Education Network’s First Annual Disability Law Workshop will provide the sector with the knowledge and strategies you need to safeguard your workforce and your organisation.

This practical half-day workshop brings together three essential sessions to help you stay ahead:

• SCHADS and Modern Awards: Understand your compliance obligations and avoid costly missteps.
• NDIS Risk Incidents & Complaints: Learn how to conduct thorough and effective investigations.
• Navigating Work Health and Safety Challenges in the Disability Sector: Unpack key WHS risks.

For those also working in the charities and not-for-profits sector, this half day intensive will be preceded by the 13th Annual Charities and Not for Profits Conference – 1.5 day conference on 15/16 May 2025 (available via separate registration:  Conferences, Charities and NFPs, 13th Annual Charities and Not for Profits Conference, MNFMAY25)

Session 1: Navigating SCHADS and Modern Awards: A Compliance Roadmap for NDIS Providers

Correctly classifying employees under the SCHADS Award is crucial for NDIS providers to ensure compliance, fair pay, and proper working conditions.  NDIS providers face significant legal challenges in adhering to the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Industry Award and other modern awards. This webinar will clarify these complexities, offering clear guidance on compliance and best practices to ensure legal adherence and operational efficiency. This session will cover:

• Understanding the SCHADS Industry Award:
  • correctly classifying employees
  • broken shift and sleepover allowances
  • overview of the SCHADS Industry Award and its relevance to NDIS providers.
  • key provisions and compliance obligations under the SCHADS Award.
  • common challenges faced by providers in adhering to the SCHADS Award.
• Modern Awards Explained:
  • definition and purpose of modern awards in the NDIS context.
  • key provisions and requirements of other relevant modern awards.
  • differences between modern awards and enterprise agreements.
• Navigating Legal Challenges:
  • identifying and addressing legal risks associated with SCHADS and modern awards.
  • real-life examples and case studies highlighting common pitfalls.
  • strategies to ensure compliance with SCHADS and modern award requirements.
• Best Practices for Legal Compliance:
  • developing robust policies and procedures to meet legal obligations.
  • importance of regular legal audits and reviews

Session 2: NDIS Risk Incidents and Complaints Management: Conducting Effective Investigations

When an incident of abuse or misconduct is alleged, observed, or reported, senior staff must step in to conduct thorough investigations to safeguard NDIS participants and prevent future harm. This practical session provides a clear roadmap for navigating the investigation process, focusing on best practices for handling sensitive issues. Key areas covered include:

• Ensuring the immediate safety of all parties involved
• Reporting obligations to navigate - who needs to be notified of the incident?
• Ensuring procedural fairness throughout the investigation
• Strategies for collecting reliable evidence and conducting effective interviews
• Structuring and presenting findings in a clear, actionable manner
• Managing staff under investigation
• When and why it may be necessary to bring in external investigators
• Responding to investigation findings - what happens next?

Session 3: Navigating Work Health and Safety Challenges in the Disability Sector

NDIS providers face unique challenges in ensuring health and safety for staff, and clients and participants.  These challenges come from various sources, including the clients or participants, their families, the makeup of the workforce, the regulatory landscape, and because of the nature of the work itself. This session will provide practical strategies to address these challenges. This session covers:

• Understanding the current WHS landscape
  • core duties and key developments
  • consequences of non-compliance
• Addressing sector specific issues:
  • distributed/remote workforce
  • CALD workforce
  • interaction with NDIS Code of Conduct/NDIS standards
  • occupational violence
• Developing an effective WHS strategy