March 2025 | NGO Training Centre

Empowering Disability Support Professionals: The Vital Role of Medication Assistance Training

In the Disability sector, ensuring the safety, well-being, and dignity of participants is at the heart of everything we do. For Disability Support Professionals (DSPs), one of the most critical responsibilities is assisting participants with medication, a task that demands precision, knowledge, and a deep commitment to person-centered care. At the NGO Training Centre, we’re proud to offer our comprehensive “Assisting Participants with Medication – Part 1 and 2” courses, designed to equip DSPs with the skills and confidence they need to excel in this vital area.

Why Medication Assistance Matters

Medication is often a cornerstone of health management for individuals with disability, helping to maintain stability, alleviate symptoms, and enhance quality of life. However, when administered incorrectly or without proper oversight, it can pose significant risks, ranging from adverse reactions to reduced treatment efficacy. For DSPs, the ability to support participants with their medication isn’t just a technical skill; it’s the basis of trust, safety, and compliance with frameworks like the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Practice Standards.

Our two-part course series and accompanying administering medication short courses addresses these challenges head-on, providing practical, NDIS-compliant training that prioritises participant care while fostering professional excellence. Whether you’re a seasoned support worker or new to the field, these courses offer invaluable tools to enhance your practice and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those you support.

Part 1: Building the Foundation

“Assisting Participants with Medication – Part 1” lays the groundwork for safe and effective medication support. This course dives into the essentials: understanding what medication is, exploring different types, and recognising the importance of regular medication reviews. DSPs learn their specific roles and obligations, ensuring they operate within their scope of practice while adhering to legal and ethical standards.

A key focus is on Dose Administration Aids (DAAs), also known as “blister packs” or “Webster Packs” which are tools that simplify medication management for participants and identifying common risks, such as incorrect dosages or missed schedules. By the end of Part 1, DSPs gain a clear understanding of how to mitigate these risks, ensuring that safety and well-being remain paramount. This foundational knowledge allows DSPs to approach medication assistance with confidence, fostering trust with participants and their families.

Part 2: Advancing Skills for Comprehensive Care

Building on this foundation, “Assisting Participants with Medication – Part 2” takes a deeper dive into advanced techniques and real-world applications. This course explores the nuances of medication administration, including how to support participants with complex needs, monitor for side effects, and respond to incidents or emergencies. DSPs also learn to navigate the documentation process which is a critical aspect of compliance that ensures continuity of care and accountability.

Part 2 emphasises the human element of medication assistance. It’s not just about following protocols; it’s about understanding the participant’s unique needs, preferences, and goals. By honing these skills, DSPs can provide truly person-centered support that respects dignity and promotes autonomy, all while meeting the rigorous standards of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Framework.

The Bigger Picture: Care, Compliance, and Confidence

The importance of this training extends beyond individual tasks. It’s about building a culture of excellence in the disability sector. Properly trained DSPs are better equipped to prevent medication errors, reduce health risks, and enhance participant outcomes. This not only aligns with NDIS compliance requirements but also strengthens the trust that participants and their families place in support services.

At the NGO Training Centre, we believe that education is the key to unlocking brighter futures for both DSPs and the people they support. Our courses are created by industry experts, regularly updated to reflect best practices, and delivered through an accessible, user-friendly platform. With a focus on practical, competency-based learning, “Assisting Participants with Medication – Part 1 and 2” ensures that DSPs can apply what they learn directly to their daily work.

Join Us in Making a Difference

As the disability sector continues to grow, so does the demand for skilled, compassionate professionals who can deliver high-quality care. Whether you’re an individual looking to upskill or an organisation seeking to empower your team, the NGO Training Centre is here to support you.

Our mission is simple yet powerful: to inspire, teach, and empower the disability workforce to create bigger, brighter futures.

Ready to take your medication assistance skills to the next level? Visit ngotrainingcentre.com email info@ngotrainingcentre.com or call 1300 990 995 to explore our “Assisting Participants with Medication” courses and our short medication courses and discover how you can enhance participant care while staying compliant with industry standards.

Let’s work together to ensure that every participant receives the safe, dignified, and effective support they deserve.

Written by Amanda Robinson, B.A., MMentalHealth Prac.

Amanda is a professional with over a decade of dedicated experience in the fields of Mental Health and Disability. Her extensive expertise lies in navigating the intricate landscape of the Disability Sector. She brings a unique perspective to her work, being both a person with lived experience of disability and a compassionate carer. She has a passion for advocacy, making her a staunch champion for the rights and well-being of individuals facing similar challenges.

International Women’s Day 2025: Championing Australian Women and Gender-Diverse People with Disability

International Women’s Day 2025: Championing Australian Women and Gender-Diverse People with Disability

This Saturday, March 8, 2025, the NGO Training Centre joins the world in celebrating International Women’s Day, a powerful call to unite our voices and declare: “Women’s rights are human rights!”

The 2025 United Nations theme, “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” speaks directly to our diverse communities. It’s a call to embrace every facet of identity; faith, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability, and to honour the contributions of those who’ve shaped our past, stand with us today, and will lead us into the future.

For Australian women and gender-diverse people with disabilities, the journey toward equality is marked by unique challenges and triumphs. Over 4 million Australians live with a disability, and women and gender-diverse individuals within this group often face compounded barriers, whether it’s inaccessible workplaces, higher rates of poverty, or societal attitudes that underestimate their potential.

Yet, their impact is undeniable, from the outback to our cities, in boardrooms, arts, and advocacy.

Think of icons like Stella Young, the late comedian and disability advocate whose sharp wit and TEDx talk “I’m not your inspiration, thank you very much” challenged stereotypes nationwide. Or consider Carly Findlay OAM , a writer and speaker, who uses her platform to advocate for disability pride and inclusion. These voices remind us that empowerment isn’t about pity—it’s about equity.

International Women’s Day 2025 comes just before the United Nations’ 69th Commission on the Status of Women, which will review the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action – milestones Australia has committed to advancing.

As a nation, we must ask: Are we truly delivering rights, equality, and empowerment for women and gender-diverse people with disabilities? The stats tell a sobering story – women with disability are twice as likely to experience violence than those without, and employment rates for people with disabilities remain stubbornly low at 48% compared to 80% for those without disabilities (ABS, 2022).

Yet, there’s progress to celebrate. Initiatives like the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) have opened doors to greater independence, while grassroots efforts, like Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) and Women with Disabilities Victoria amplify lived experiences to shape policy. Gender-diverse advocates, such as Transfolk of WA , are also pushing for inclusion that reflects the full spectrum of identity.

From Paralympic stars like Madison de Rozario , who’s dominated the track and inspired a generation, to First Nations advocates like Gayle Rankine, who bridged disability and cultural leadership, Australian women and gender-diverse people with disabilities are rewriting the narrative.

In the arts, the Accessible Arts Network supports creators who challenge norms, while in tech, innovators are designing solutions with disability in mind, think Sydney-based Canva’s accessibility features.

These achievements aren’t just personal wins—they’re a national strength. They show that when we invest in diversity, we all thrive.

Celebration is vital, but International Women’s Day 2025 is also a call to act.

Employers, let’s make workplaces accessible. Ramps and screen readers are a good start, but true inclusion means flexible work and fair opportunities.

Policymakers, let’s fund programs like the Disability Royal Commission recommendations to tackle systemic gaps. And all of us, let’s amplify these voices, share their stories, hire their talent, and listen to their expertise.

In Australia, we pride ourselves on a fair go. Let’s extend that ethos to women and gender-diverse people with disabilities – not just on March 8, but year-round.

Support local orgs like WWDA or the Australian Disability Network. Mentor a young leader with disability. Advocate for a National Gender Equality Strategy that explicitly includes them.

As we mark International Women’s Day 2025, let’s honor the trailblazers, stand with today’s changemakers, and pave the way for tomorrow’s leaders.

In the spirit of mateship and fairness, let’s build an Australia where every woman and gender-diverse person with disability has their rights upheld, their equality assured, and their empowerment celebrated.

From all of us at the NGO Training Centre, Happy International Women’s Day, Australia!!

Let’s make it a fair go for all!

Want to learn more and explore some great resources? Visit: https://iwda.org.au/resources/

Written by Amanda Robinson, B.A., MMentalHealth Prac.

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