Wrap-up examination of disability service providers commences today

The Royal Commission will wrap-up its examination of disability service providers in its next public hearing. The hearing will examine the themes heard from people with disability and inquire into how service providers can prevent violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation occurring in the future.

Among the service providers to appear at Public hearing 32 are Afford, Life without Barriers, Sunnyfield and Yooralla, each of which have appeared at previous public hearings. Representatives of 17 additional disability service providers will also give evidence at the hearing.

Public hearing 32 brings together themes which have arisen from the Royal Commission’s hearings and ongoing work in relation to the provision of disability services. These include issues which were identified during Public hearing 23 examining day program services offered by Afford, Public hearing 20 focusing on supported accommodation services provided by Life without Barriers and Public hearing 13 concerning Sunnyfield’s operation of a house in western Sydney. 

The hearing will be held over five days beginning on Monday 13 February and will include discussion about:

  • what disability service providers can do to eliminate the risk of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability in the way accommodation and services are provided

  • measures to ensure the disability support workforce supports the delivery of high-quality disability services, including in relation to recruitment, screening, remuneration, training and retention of support worker

  • improving governance and management within service providers and better incident and complaint handling

  • how service providers are implementing a human rights approach and supported decision making for people with disability.

Lived-experience witnesses and advocates will give evidence as well as representatives from the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.

The hearing will commence at 10.00am AEST on level 5, 1 Eagle St Brisbane, and is open for the public to attend. Journalists wishing to cover the hearing should notify the Royal Commission media team to ensure access to the media room and/or relevant information including schedules and live transcripts.

Chair of the Royal Commission, the Honourable Ronald Sackville AO KC, will preside over the hearing and be joined by Commissioner Alastair McEwin AM and Commissioner Barbara Bennett PSM.

Journalists wishing to cover the hearing should notify the Disability Royal Commission media team to ensure access to relevant information and material, including schedules and live transcripts.

Please direct all inquiries to the Disability Royal Commission media team on 0436 841 166 or via our email DRCmedia@royalcommission.gov.au.