A voice for people of all abilities

A NEW complaints service has been established for people with disability and their families to raise concerns about workers entrusted with their care.

Set up by the State Government in response to the 2016 inquiry into abuse in disability services, the Victorian Disability Worker Commission’s complaints service is headed by commissioner Dan Stubbs.

“Disability workers play a valued role in supporting people with disability to participate and most workers deliver safe and respectful services,” he said.

“Unfortunately, since launching this year the Commission has been responding to daily complaints and enquiries about workers who pose a risk, and we’re seeing a range of health and safety issues from physical abuse, to breach of privacy.”

The service fields complaints with disability workers across the state who breach new Victorian regulations set up for the sector, including compliance with the Disability Service Safeguards Code of Conduct and formally notifying of unsafe conduct at work.

There’s a ‘no wrong door’ policy and the service assists anyone who reaches out. If the Commission does not have the power and scope to address an issue they’ll seek to ensure complaints are referred to the right place.

“I encourage Victorians with disability, and their families, to use our independent complaints service,” Mr Stubbs said.

“You have a right to speak up and make a complaint. Reach out to us, we will listen and assist you.

“Through our complaints service, we will continue to act on unacceptable treatment of people with disability and ensure greater accountability for the delivery of disability services.”