"We… have to feel safe that we can reach out to services, that we will not be penalised to reach out, for someone to hear us.”
What we talked about
Topic 1: Meeting documents
Members discussed ways to improve how consultation group meeting documents are prepared and shared
Topic 2: Presentation - Participant Safeguarding
The NDIA shared findings from Participant Safeguarding workshops held in mid-2025. These workshops discussed what the Agency, service providers and governments need to think about and do to help people feel and be safe.
What we heard
Meeting Documents
Members want:
- A clear, short agenda cover page that summarises meeting information.
- Clear instructions on whether the information is for reading, review, or feedback.
- Pre-meeting documents sent in a separate email, as well as included in calendar invites.
- Key document points included in the email body.
Presentation - Participant Safeguarding
Safety for Carers and Participants
- Carers often feel unsafe and fear that others may judge or punish them for asking for help.
- Families who advocate for the needs of adults and children with a disability, who cannot self-advocate, need more support.
- Experiences and circumstances can reduce a person’s sense of safety. These experiences can affect mental health and trigger trauma. Some examples were:
- Constantly changing contacts
- Sharing information without ongoing relationships
- Having to repeat your story.
Communication and Access Issues
Many members:
- Struggle to get an ongoing connection with their NDIA contacts or Local Area Coordinators (LACs).
- Want a single named NDIA contact.
- Receive emails from staff they do not know and are provided with generic email addresses as the only form of reply.
- Feel worn out and unsupported.
First Nations Cultural Safety
- Yarning circles help people feel safe and heard.
- Yarning circles should be expanded as a safe, trusted way to discuss issues.
- Community based healing works better than individual approaches.
- Aunties and uncles play a vital role in support and decision-making.
- The NDIA should help fund circles, camps, and cultural healing spaces.
Service Provider Concerns
- Some support workers lack the training needed for their role e.g., hoists and feeding.
- Constant changes to support workers cause stress, especially for people with
complex needs. - Members want stronger provider standards.
Next meeting
Thursday 26 March 2026.