Comments for

Comment on The NDIS: ethics, dignity and choice: some dilemmas for social workers by Steve

Steve — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 03:35:37 +0000

Massive concerns within the NDIS. Just focusing at this stage on SSC, as the lead actor for participants with with complex needs, most lack the requisite knowledge skills and experience. The barrier of qualification has been reduced with teachers, social scientists, exercise physiology graduates joining the fray as sole traders or contractors earning $193 per hour (or majority percentage as a contractor). Most SSC are contractors now even though the chief economist of the NDIS built the SSC model around employees working in an office supported within a team lead by a team manager with professional supervision, access to a senior practitioner, able to facts and perception check decisions made which potentially have significant impact on their participants. As a contractor they work in isolation wielding significant influence over participant plans and lives. They also lack understanding around the NDIS legislative best practice guidelines or even their role as SSC – registration processes are undertaken by their host organisation. As contractors they operate from a time based perspective, not needs based. This is usually a pragmatic approach to NDIA planners approving “just enough” funding. More SSC funding can be requested at review to try and achieve the values NDIS promises however outcomes are unknown with submission time usually unbillable. Easier just to take on another participant. Within this environment collaborative practice, self affective practice, robust consultation, case conferencing, and other professional standard practices rarely see the light of day. Conflict of interest also has suffered with most contractors referring therapy to the stable of contracted practitioners working with in the same organisation. Even if this wasn’t the case how is a SSC who does not understand the impact of complex developmental trauma on the life of an individual living with other compounding cognitive impairments meant to choose therapeutic interventions of best fit when they themselves do not understand the issues and cannot find the answers because they work in isolation? Finally given the outline of SSC practice standards within NDIS guidelines is very thin and they occupy the lead role position in a complex service delivery, SSC have limited accountability. The word responsibility is not used in the NDIS legislation. As I have asked myself on a number of occasions with regard to the Anne Marie Smith tragedy, where was the coordination services allocated to vulnerable people in all this? What should their responsibility have been given the vulnerabilities involved that checked the boxes for coordination eligibility (lack of insight into her own support needs, inability to establish services of need and lack of capability to advocate on her own behalf should service delivery fail). The coordinator, in particular specialised, is the lead agent. Best practice includes reporting protocols including having sighted your participant every 3 months. Simple really, and saves lives.

Comment on About by vittorio1

vittorio1 — Mon, 03 Aug 2020 08:52:09 +0000

So good to hear from you Glenice! Would love to chat when I am next out your way.

Comment on About by Glenice Garvie

Glenice Garvie — Mon, 03 Aug 2020 07:47:19 +0000

Aha now I know why I bonded myself to you all those years ago. Thank you. My story is from an Aboriginal mission to a dirt floor tin shed to getting through high school just by turning up regardless of the lack of uniform and books. The name calling was the norm and I blocked it out. I was after the knowledge. I had Aboriginal knowledge, but I needed the non-Aboriginal knowledge. I have had an interesting life and know that I have helped in some areas. Now I am retired much too early I think, but medical advice says its time. I am still in contact with people and now walk/sit in the parks, chat and give information to homeless people or to anyone. Stay well Vittorio. Glenice

Comment on Why aren’t more social work students joining the AASW? by Ashiah Sharma

Ashiah Sharma — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 01:03:57 +0000

Hi my fellow graduates,
I am also stuck with 6.5 in Writing rest I got 8 each. I just want to ask AASW that does it make me any less of a Social Worker? We studied in Australian University in English language. Still need to proove our English. Ielts should not be the criteria. I amnsick of giving this exam and paying for it several times. Its already affecting my Mental Health. AASW states that their English requirement is matching standards to the other health profession. This is false as all other Health professional bodies accept other exams too. In contrast, AASW is stuck with IELTS Academic. Thats very unfair. All these 4 years of study is going in waste and AASW is somewhat responsible for it. I am very disappointed. Sorry if am a bit rude howevr, this is the reality.

Comment on Podcast episode 25: from female naval commander to mental health social worker- a conversation with Suzanne Smith by Dr Jacqui Dodds

Dr Jacqui Dodds — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 13:03:40 +0000

An excellent interview with a truly inspiring woman. As an accredited mental health social worker and practicing psychotherapist myself, I was particularly delighted to hear Suzanne expressing gratitude for the underlying social construction of reality from her basic SW training, as well as her delight at learning about mindfulness and self compassion. While I have only a fraction of the energy and range of experiences she embodies, it was so good to hear her valuing so many of the values and elements of practice that guide my own practice. Thank you for sharing this interview with us.

Comment on Why aren’t more social work students joining the AASW? by Sunny

Sunny — Sun, 30 Jun 2019 11:13:55 +0000

Hi guys,
I finished Master degree in social work in 2017 and since then I have given IELTS like 20 x times and every-time I score less in writing 6.5 .I have took coaching in Australia and even in India and wasted lots of money and put me in financial burden .This whole experience made me depressed , frustrated, stressed and loser.Why we social work students don’t have choice of PTE like other courses.This seems so unfair.
And as Sulochana, I have also been working in an aged care facility and would like to excel my career as aged care social worker.But now I don’t think so its going to ever happen.
feeling hopeless.

Comment on Social workers in private practice: Why the AASW should be doing more for them by Amanda Robins

Amanda Robins — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 03:31:50 +0000

Jenny Delahunty you are one of the lucky ones. I see many many social workers who are employed in organisations so toxic I wonder that anyone could survive in them.
Social workers in NGOs are often the first to be blamed and the last to get a pay rise!

Comment on Why aren’t more social work students joining the AASW? by Sulochana Bajracharya

Sulochana Bajracharya — Sat, 04 May 2019 08:15:32 +0000

Hi,
I have the same feeling and in a similar situation. Although completing 2 years THE MASTERS DEGREE QUALIFYING with 1000 hours of placement in one the Australian UNIVERSITIES in Australia, where only English was spoken all the times during the study and at the clinical field we still have to show English eligibility and score 7 each band in IELTS. I have attempted 8 times already, and have scored 7.5-9 in other 3 bands but 6.5 in writing which have left me mentally burnout, killed my confidence, motivation and left me financially shaken. I already started taking in IELTS tests while I was doing my degree. Since I was allowed to work 40 hours fortnight and IELTS tests fee ($340) was so expensive for that although the membership was $50 I could not afford to join since every cent counts for me, that is the reason I did not join AASW. I have been working in an aged care facility and would like to excel my career as aged care social worker. However, without the AASW membership, this seems only a dream. The situation has left me frustrated, stressed and failure. I have been passionate about social work but now losing passion and hope gradually.

Comment on Working in the pre-creative space: a conversation with legendary social worker, Norma Tracey by Mark Griffiths

Mark Griffiths — Sun, 21 Apr 2019 03:51:51 +0000

Thank you for this wonderful podcast. Norma was so reflective and insightful on the interface between her personal and professional life. The trauma, tragic and deeply spiritual nature of her understanding and practice comes through in this wonderful social work story. How professionals hide behind a scientific veneer to avoid facing reality. The application of psycho-analytic ideas of therapeutic community, the holding environment, and the linking of this to the aboriginal idea of the dreaming in the cultural space was truly wonderful in the time needed to address inter-generational trauma. Healing as requiring a pre-creative space is an important idea in recovery. thanks and great that Easter allows me the time to listen to this inspiring story.

Comment on Podcast episode 22: Supervision: nourishing and flourishing your professional self- a conversation with social workers, Pam Cohen and Marie Heydon by Lynne Boardman

Lynne Boardman — Sun, 03 Mar 2019 17:47:18 +0000

Very interesting interview on very comprehensive and informative comments by two very professional women. A subject that definitely important in social work and is often poorly done. Thank you.