National Communities of Practice
NDS is encouraging all members to join our National Communities of Practice (CoP) to enjoy the benefits of collaboration and to network with other members from around the country who have shared interests.
Membership of the National CoPs is open to all NDS members who have an interest in that area. Each CoP is chaired by a subject matter expert in the area, and will be supported by NDS staff with relevant expertise.
The National CoPs have three main roles:
- Exploration of key issues to support policy development
- Member engagement and establishing connections
- Support and development of that sector area of interest
The National CoPs complement the role of State/Territory CoPs and networks, which fulfill their roles of maintaining local community connections, exploring key local issues, and for support and development of the sector locally.
Where a National CoP exists, the information from State/Territory CoPs and networks will feed in and inform discussion in each National CoP.
Communities of Practice are a good example of how NDS members can be more powerful when we work together. There's no doubt the combined voice of over 1000 members, representing every aspect of disability support, is critical to creating positive change for the sector.
How to join a National Community of Practice
All NDS members are welcome to attend communities of practice by:
- Subscribing for email invites and updates from your chosen CoPs by following the steps on your member subscription preferences page.
- Registering to attend your CoP’s next Zoom meeting by following the steps in your email invite sent from National Disability Services.
- Joining your CoP’s Zoom meeting on the day by following the steps in your confirmation email sent from NDS National Communities of Practice.
Please note: Invitations to register for each CoP meeting will be sent to subscribers via email before the meeting date. If the next meeting is less than two weeks away and you haven’t yet received the invitation to register, please get in touch with the CoP lead directly to ensure you don't miss out.
Children, Young People and their Families
Scope
The National Children, Young People and their Families Community of Practice seeks to promote the interests and wellbeing of children and young people with disability and their families through the exchange of information, discussion of good practice, and the provision of policy advice that informs effective and quality service delivery.
Lead
Sarah Fordyce
State Manager VIC
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submit enquiry/feedback
Housing and Support
Scope
The National Housing and Support Community of Practice seeks to promote policy and practice across Australia that improves the accommodation support and housing options for people with disability through the exchange of information, discussion of good practice, and the provision of policy advice that informs effective and quality service delivery.
Lead
Mick Fallon
Northern Territory Manager
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NDIS Intermediaries
The National NDIS Intermediaries Community of Practice seeks to provide policy advice on issues associated with the operations of Local Area Coordinators, Support Coordinators and Plan Managers, as well as promote the exchange of information and discussion of good practice.
Lead
Emily Forrest
Director of Policy and Advocacy
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Quality and Safeguarding
Scope
The National Quality and Safeguarding Community of Practice is a peer-led forum that covers all areas of providing quality safe services for people with a disability. Meetings will bring people together and provide opportunities to support and learn from one another.
Lead
Sarah Nicoll
Head of Quality and Safeguards
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Remote and Very Remote
Scope
The National Remote and Very Remote Community of Practice will provide an opportunity to share, listen and experience work in remote areas, consider opportunities and challenges when accessing and delivering NDIS funded support, and formulate advocacy positions to ensure services in remote areas are sustainable, effective and culturally appropriate.
Lead
Mick Fallon
Northern Territory Manager
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Employment
Scope
The National Employment Community of Practice is a combined forum for providers of NDIS Employment Supports and Disability Employment Services across Australia. The back-to-back meetings will feature updates and discussions on national policy issues,provide an opportunity for service providers to share good practice, and discuss the latest developments impacting employment services.
Lead
Colin Entwistle
Head of Employment (Acting)
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Workforce
Scope
The National Workforce Community of Practice supports NDS member organisations to keep abreast of disability workforce developments and opportunities. It provides a forum for members to share challenges, ideas and solutions.
Lead
Matthew Zammit
Head of Workforce
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State and Territory Communities of Practice
Several of the NDS state and territory offices also run Communities of Practice, which are open to all staff of NDS members. These provide an opportunity for NDS members to engage on a particular area of interest within a particular state or territory.
State and Territory CoPs enable local community connections, the exploration of key local issues, and are focussed on the support and development of the sector locally.
Where a National CoP exists, the State/Territory CoPs and networks will feed into and inform discussion in each National CoP by providing localised perspective and knowledge. Similarly, the National CoPs provide national perspectives and information which can be used as input into the State/Territory CoPs and networks.
View Communities of Practice and networks in your state.