The NDIS and Disability Services
Understanding the NDIS Code of Conduct
90 minutes
The NDIS Code of Conduct applies to all workers in the NDIS. Learn about what the code means for you at work, what your responsibilities are under the Code and what your rights are if you are part of an investigation
Understanding behaviour support plans and supporting NDIS participants through positive behaviour strategies
90 minutes
Take this information session to understand what a restrictive practice is, why it is important the rights of people with disability are upheld and what this means for you as a worker in the NDIS to ensure quality services.
Disability Rights and Advocacy Series
60 minutes
Understand the rights of people with disability and how you as a worker in the NDIS can better support people with disability to assert their rights and be free from discrimination, abuse and neglect.
Mental Health Series for Community Workers
Understanding and Responding to Vicarious Trauma (VT): An Introduction
90 minutes | Guest Speaker: Karen WIllis, RDVSA
What is vicarious trauma? Vicarious trauma (VT) is a workplace health and safety issue. How does it impact the work of frontline workers? How can we better manage our workplace and our professional practice to deal with VT and support workers experiencing trauma and vicarious trauma?
Mental Health in the Workplace
60 minutes
Mental health is a workplace health and safety issue. How does our work impact our mental health – and how does our mental health impact our work? How can we better manage our workplace to support our selves and provide support to our colleagues? What mental health supports are available to workers in the community sector?
Child, Youth, and Family Services
Out of home at 18? Reforming out of home care (OOHC)
60 Minutes | Guest Speaker: Narelle Clay - Southern Youth and Family Services
Come along to this panel discussion with experts in Out of Home Care (OOHC) discussing the implications of OOHC ending at 18 in NSW and what alternative systems exist in Australia.
A government register for residential youth workers – what it means for you.
60 minutes
Find out about the NSW Residential Care Workers Register that is being established by the NSW Government. What will this mean for workers in residential out of home care and youth services? What information will be recorded on the register and what are your rights? An important session for ASU members in the child, youth and family sector.
What is a “Professionalised Foster Carer” and what does it mean for workers?
60 minutes | Guest Speaker: Angus McFarland
Find out about a new model of care called “Professionalised Foster Care”. What does this mean for foster carers and for workers in Out of Home Care? What are the risks with this model for workers and carers?
Understanding the TEIP reforms
60 minutes | Guest Speaker: Julie Hourigan-Ruse, CEO, FAMS and Can Yasmut, CEO, LCSA
The NSW Government is introducing the Targeted Earlier Intervention Program. What is the program and what does it mean for workers in community services? How is it different to previous programs and what will it mean for workers and services?
Safety at Work
Responding to domestic and family violence in the workplace
90 minutes | Guest Speaker: Karen Willis, Natalie Lang
An important training session to help members support colleagues who may be experiencing family or domestic violence. Attend this session to understand best practice guidelines developed by leaders in women’s services.
Working Safely in COVID19
60 minutes | Guest speakers: Tegan Cone, Angus McFarland
Understand what the elements of a COVID-Safe Workplace plan are and what services should have in place to support safe services during the pandemic.
What does Workplace Health and Safety mean and what is a Health and Safety Representative?
60 minutes | Guest Speaker: Peter Remfrey, CEO – Workers Health Centre, Lesley Gruit - ASU
Understand the fundaments of workplace health and safety legislation – your rights and responsibilities as workers. Also find out about what a Health and Safety representative is and why they are important in workplaces.
Health and Safety Representative (HSR) Training
The ASU provides accredited HSR Training for duly elected HSRs. Any ASU member who is an elected HSR has the right to request that their Union provide this training for them as part of their role.
This is a 5-day intensive course that complies with legislation. Costs are associated with this course which your employer should cover.
Health and Safety Representative (HSR) Refresher
This is a one-day refresher course for Health and Safety representatives that is an accredited course under WHS legislation.
Costs are associated with this course which your employer should cover.
Aboriginal Services
Justice for First Nations People
60 minutes | Special Guest: Julie Perkins
This panel discussion will introduce you to the history and importance of specialist Aboriginal community-controlled organisations and why they are a crucial part of justice for First Nations people in Australia.
Cultural and Linguistically Diverse Services
Self-determination over “integration” – understanding Culturally and Linguistically Diverse specialist services and why they are important
60 minutes | Special Guest: Nadia Saleh, Lina Cabaero and ASU Deputy Secretary Judith Wright
This panel will discuss the history and importance of community-based specialist CALD services. The panel will consider how these services are under threat by current Government policy and what Union members are doing to support better recognition and support for CALD workers and services.
Governance and Leadership Courses
Community Services History and Values Course for Board Members
All day
This is foundation training for any Board or Committee member of a community services organisation. It provides an overview of the history of the community services sector, the important role of advocacy in our sector and the strong historic links between the Union and the sector in working together to improve conditions and service standards in the sector.
Registration on application to Jan Primrose (). Maximim 20 participants per course.
What is best practice consultation – what rights do workers have and what are the obligations of employers?
60 minutes | Facilitated by: Angus McFarland
Workers have rights to be consulted over many aspects of their working life. This information session is for both workers and managers in community services to better understand what the minimum legal requirements are to consult around the introduction of change and what are the best practice standards in the sector.
Alcohol and Other Drug Services
Practice and other issues for workers in the alcohol and other drugs sector
60 minutes | Guest Speakers: Dr Mary Harrod, CEO NUAA, Rob Stirling CEO NADA
What are the issues facing workers in AOD sector? What are the latest debates and policy developments in this area? What is the difference between medical and social models of support? This panel discussion will give a good introduction for all workers to this area of community services.
The Future of Community Services Series
Campaigning and advocacy in community services
60 minutes | Guest Speakers: Natalie Lang, Cassandra Goldie, Narelle Clay
Why is advocacy a critical part of community services? How has it been under threat in recent years and why do we need to defend the independent voice of community services in a Civil Society?
A wave of disadvantage across NSW - impact of the COVID-19 recession
60 minutes | Guest Speaker: Joanna Quilty, CEO NCOSS
Hear about new research commissioned by NCOSS and a coalition of peak bodies, showing the impact that rising unemployment will have on social disadvantage in NSW by June 2021. The report focuses on: housing, domestic violence, child protection, mental health and education.
Inequality and COVID-19 – The Impact on People, Communities, and Community Services
60 minutes | Guest Speaker: Dr Jim Stanford - Director, Centre for Future Work
COVID-19 is more than a global pandemic – it has led to an economic recession that will leave thousands of people in poverty and without work. What does this mean for community services at the frontline of supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our society?