Contact us in your preferred language

Arabic | العربية

أرسل إلينا بريدًا إلكترونيًا يحتوي على اسمك متضمنًا أي من النقاط أدناه التي تريد منا مساعدتك فيها.

 

1. الانضمام إلى البرنامج

2. معرفة المزيد عن البرنامج

3. الحصول على وظيفة في مجال رعاية المسنين

Bengali | বাংলা

আপনার নাম সহ আমাদের একটি ইমেল পাঠান এবং নীচের কোন পয়েন্টগুলিতে আপনি আমাদের সহযোগিতা চান তা উল্লেখ করুন৷

 

  1. আপনার প্রোগ্রামে যোগদান করুন
  2. প্রোগ্রাম সম্পর্কে আরও জানুন
  3. বৃদ্ধাশ্রমে একটি চাকরি পাওয়া

Chinese (Simplified) | 简体中文

请向我们发送电子邮件,注明您的姓名,以及您希望我们为您在以下哪一方面提供帮助。

 

  1. 加入计划
  2. 了解该计划的更多相关信息
  3. 在老年护理部门找到一份工作

Chinese (Traditional) | 繁體中文

請將姓名及下列資料以電郵方式傳送,以便我們協助您。

 

  1. 加入個人計劃
  2. 了解計劃詳情
  3. 覓得長者護理服務方面的工作

Hindi | हिन्दी

अपने नाम के साथ हमें ई-मेल भेजें और यह बताएँ कि निम्नलिखित में से कौन से विषयों के संबंध में आप चाहते/ती हैं कि हम आपकी मदद करें।

 

  1. आपके कार्यक्रम से जुड़ना
  2. कार्यक्रम के बारे में और अधिक जानना
  3. एजेड केयर (वयोवृद्ध देखभाल) में नौकरी प्राप्त करना

Macedonian | Mакедонски

Пратете нѝ имејл со вашето име и презиме, и наведете за кои од следните нешта би сакале да ви помогнеме.

 

  1. Да се вклучам во вашата програма
  2. Да дознам повеќе за програмата
  3. Да работам во негата на стари лица

Nepali | नेपाली

हामीलाई तपाईंको नाम सहितको एउटा इमेल पठाउनुहोस् र निम्न कुराहरू मध्ये कुनमा तपाईं हाम्रो मद्दत चाहनुहुन्छ त्यो समावेश गर्नुहोस्।

 

  1. आफ्नो कार्यक्रममा सामेल हुनुहोस्
  2. कार्यक्रमबारे थप जान्नुहोस्
  3. वृद्ध हेरचाहमा काम गर्नुहोस्

Sinhalese | සිංහල

ඔබේ නම සහිත ඊමේල් පණිවුඩයක් එවා පහත දැක්වෙන කරුණු වලින් කවරක් සඳහා ඔබට අපගේ සහාය අවශ්‍ය ද යන්න එහි ඇතුළත් කරන්න.

 

  1. ඔබේ වැඩසටහනට සම්බන්ධ වීමට
  2. වැඩසටහන ගැන වැඩිදුර දැන ගැනීමට
  3. වියපත් රැකවරණ ක්ෂේත්‍රයේ රැකියාවක් ලබා ගැනීමට

Spanish | Español

Envíenos un correo electrónico con su nombre e incluya en cuál de los puntos siguientes desea que le ayudemos.

 

  1. Unirme a su programa
  2. Saber más sobre el programa
  3. Trabajar en el sector de cuidado de adultos mayores

Tamil | தமிழ்

உங்கள் பெயரைக் குறிப்பிட்டு எங்களுக்கு மின்னஞ்சல் அனுப்பவும், அத்துடன் கீழே உள்ள விவரங்களில் எதில் நாங்கள் உங்களுக்கு உதவ வேண்டுமென நீங்கள் விரும்புகிறீர்கள் என்பதைச் சேர்க்கவும்.

 

  1. உங்கள் திட்டத்தில் சேர்வது
  2. திட்டத்தைப் பற்றி மேலும் அறிந்து கொள்வது
  3. முதியோர் பராமரிப்பில் ஒரு வேலை பெறுவது

Ukrainian | Українська

Надішліть нам електронного листа з вашим ім’ям та вкажіть, з якими з наведених нижче пунктів ви б хотіли, щоб ми вам допомогли.

 

  1. Долучитися до вашої програми
  2. Дізнатися більше про цю програму
  3. Влаштуватися на роботу у сфері догляду за літніми людьми

About Return to Work

Women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds can face complex and persistent barriers when seeking to re-enter the workforce, but overcoming these challenges and re-entering the workforce can be an empowering experience that brings personal fulfillment and economic benefits, not only for the individuals themselves but also for the wider community. 

SSI’s Return to Work program provides targeted support to women aged 25-44 from CALD backgrounds in south west Sydney, helping participants overcome individual barriers and facilitating their re-entry into the workforce. Funded by the NSW Government, the Return to Work program effectively connects participants with local resources, training programs, employers, job opportunities, and in-language support, empowering them to return to the workforce with confidence. 

How we help

We connect you with in-language assistance, local resources and training programs to build your skills.
Tailored support helps you overcome your unique barriers to employment and build your confidence.
Adopting a place-based approach, we connect you to local information sessions and employment opportunities.

This program is funded and delivered under the Return to Work Pathways Program by the NSW Government, administered by Women NSW.  

Get in touch

NSW 

We deliver the Return to Work program in south west Sydney – in the Liverpool, Fairfield, Campbelltown and Canterbury-Bankstown LGAs.  

E: backtowork@ssi.org.au 

Address: 2/45/47 Scott Street, Liverpool

 

We work together with stakeholders including aged care providers and registered training organisations (RTOs), among others, to bring the best outcomes for the sector’s workforce and senior Australians.

Find out more about how we can work together in our Partner Brochure:

Home Care Partner Brochure
Home Care Partner Brochure

Our partnership with MARSS in ACT

We have partnered with Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services organisation, MARSS Australia Inc., to support the delivery of the government-funded Home Care Workforce Support Program in the ACT.

Through this partnership, we are expanding our reach in the ACT and surrounding areas, including Queanbeyan, to help attract new talent into the Home Care sector and to connect further with local Home Care Providers. Together, we aim to help Home Care Providers offer high-quality care at home to more seniors in the territory.

MARSS’ team on the ground is responsible for attracting new talent and placing them with eligible Home Care Providers. At the same time, SSI is focused on training, upskilling, supporting and retaining Home Care Workers.

 

About MARSS

MARSS Australia Inc. was established in 1980 as the Migrant Resource Centre and incorporated in 1983. Since its inception, MARSS has been managed by a Board of Management comprising of elected nominees from Canberra’s ethnic communities and nominated members representing the Local Government.

MARSS has grown to become a vibrant service-oriented organisation, incorporating programs for migrants of all ages to assist with language, welfare, employment, access and equity for people from cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

MARSS logo

Home Care Staffing Support

Our Home Care Staffing Support initiative helps eligible Home Care Providers in NSW and the ACT boost their team in an easier, faster and more affordable way. We have joined forces with National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) registered platform Hireup to connect Home Care Providers with Hireup’s thousands of trained and verified support workers. Eligible Home Care Providers will receive a subsidy from SSI to cover 50% of the wages of casual workers hired through this initiative.

Boost your workforce

Home Care Providers can now accessing thousands of verified support workers all in one place.

  • More workers: Access 9,000+ approved, verified support workers in NSW and the ACT with a range of experience across the care sector.
  • Affordable solution: Save 50% off Hireup’s standard rates with the SSI subsidy when you book eligible workers.
  • Make an impact: With the support of more workers, you can help more seniors enjoy independent lives at home.

Boosting the home care workforce

FAQ

Who is SSI?

SSI is a national not-for-profit organisation providing life-changing human and social services.

With community at the heart of everything we do, our purpose is to empower individuals, children, families and communities from diverse backgrounds and identities to fully participate in the economic, social, civic and diverse cultural life of Australia, creating a more equitable, resilient, enriched and inclusive society.

Who is Hireup?

Hireup is Australia’s largest NDIS-registered platform of support workers. On Hireup, people with disabilities, their families and support teams can find, hire and manage support workers suited to their needs. 

Service providers can access Hireup for Providers to solve their staffing challenges as an alternative to using agency labour.

Why have SSI and Hireup chosen to partner?

SSI has engaged Hireup to help overcome the skills shortage in the at-home aged care sector in NSW and the ACT by launching the new Home Care Staffing Support initiative.

This Home Care initiative helps home care providers boost their workforce by connecting them with verified support workers while saving them 50% of workers’ wages.

– Support aged care providers to upskill and grow their workforce
– Give workers opportunities to diversify their skills and experience
– Ensure choice and continuity of support for ageing Australians
– Grow and retain the care workforce 

Why should Providers join the program?

More workers: Access 9,000+ approved, verified support workers in NSW and the ACT with a range of experience across the care sector.

Affordable solution: 50% off Hireup’s standard rates when you book workers participating in the program.
 
Make an impact: With the support of more workers, you can help more seniors enjoy independent lives at home.

Registration

How does my organisation sign up for the program?

Eligible home care providers must register with both SSI and Hireup for Providers.

To register with SSI, providers sign up for the Home Care Staffing Support Program through a Deed of Collaboration. Register with SSI.

To register with Hireup complete this online application form.

Why do I need to register with SSI and Hireup?

SSI
Providers must sign a deed of collaboration with SSI to check eligibility for the program and to be set up in SSI’s internal systems to receive the subsidy.

Hireup
Providers must successfully register with the Hireup for Providers service to be able to find, select and book workers on Hireup.

Eligibility

What are the eligibility criteria for Providers to participate in the program?

Providers must be an eligible home care provider in the ACT or NSW

AND

Must be registered with SSI and Hireup.

How can I check if my organisation is an eligible home care provider?

Contact SSI or Hireup to find out if you’re an eligible home care provider.

SSI contact: Jose Miranda Garcia or Kamal Kamalaneson at hcsupport@ssi.org.au

Hireup contact: Stephanie Moran at stephanie.moran@hireup.com.au

Obtaining the SSI subsidy

How does the subsidy work?

SSI will provide a subsidy to Providers as an incentive to use Workers retained by Hireup (Hireup Workers). The subsidy will be 50 per cent of Hireup’s advertised standard rates, as applicable at the time of the service booking. The subsidy excludes any mileage claims submitted by workers delivering transport, this will be charged at 97c/km.

Unless otherwise agreed between the Provider and Hireup, the Providers are responsible for ensuring Workers register with the SSI, complete SSI’s required training and screening for participation in the Home Care Staffing Support initiative and provide any relevant documentation for the purposes of Home Care Staffing Support.

How do I obtain the subsidy from SSI?

You must be registered with SSI.

Provide invoice to homecare@ssi.org.au – attach corresponding Hireup invoice and remittance advice to the request.

SSI will process the request within 3 working days.

Provider must pay Hireup in full for the invoiced amount.

What information is required to obtain the subsidy?

Copy of Hireup Invoice including the support worker’s name/Hireup ID;

Date shift was worked;

Proof of payment.

Using Hireup

What support will I receive to use Hireup?

Once registered, Hireup will arrange an onboarding call with all participating Providers to show them how to use the Hireup Platform, with ongoing support available through the Hireup for Providers team.

Who can I contact at Hireup if I have questions about using Hireup workers?

Hireup for Providers team at providers@hireup.com.au or on 02 8776 3863.

How do I identify workers registered in the program?

There are 2 ways to engage with workers for the program:

Post a job on the Hireup platform stipulating you are seeking SSI registered support workers. Interested workers will then show interest on the platform.

Search directly for workers who have registered with SSI using the keyword SSI in the search filter on the Hireup platform. You can contact these workers directly to discuss and book workers for any available shifts.

To be eligible for the subsidy, Providers must check workers are registered with SSI prior to making a booking. It is the Providers responsibility to ensure that any workers they engage are registered with SSI if they wish to apply for the subsidy.

All of this will be covered in the onboarding process with Hireup.

Hireup recommends including the follow information in your job posts on Hireup:

In the job heading: SSI registered workers for aged care shifts

In the job description field: To be eligible for this job workers must be registered with SSI or be willing to register before the date of the shift.

By registering you’ll gain access to more shifts in more ways on Hireup, along with a range of other benefits.

To register, simply complete this quick application form and you’ll be notified within 24 hours of your application outcome.

To find out more about this program visit: Home Care Staffing Support Program.

What happens if I engage a worker who is not part of the program?

You can ask the worker if they would like to join the program. If the worker doesn’t wish to participate or isn’t eligible you may continue to book them on Hireup but will not be eligible for the subsidy.

How do I book workers?

Send workers a booking request on the Hireup platform. In the invoicing notes on the booking include the worker’s Hireup ID.

Can I book workers outside of this program?

Yes, however, these workers will not be subsidised by SSI. You may choose to set up an additional account on Hireup to manage SSI workers.

What are the invoicing terms and conditions?

Providers will receive a weekly invoice on a Monday from Hireup. Providers pay Hireup in full for the Workers without applying any subsidy or reimbursement that may be available to a Provider under the Home Care Staffing Support Program.

Home Care Experience Centre

As part of our Home Care Workforce Support Program, we have created a purpose-built facility to provide participants, home care providers and our industry partners with a physical space where they have access to face-to-face support including job application, hands-on training, in-person workshops, a presentation area, a Technology Lab, and everything they need to build a meaningful, long-term career caring for seniors in Australia.

Check out the services available at the Home Care Experience Centre:

Technology Lab

Supports program participants with access to laptops connected to the internet to upload and submit documentation, complete online job applications and undertake e-learning training.

Our Participant Services Delivery Officers offer Digital Literacy lessons at our Technology Lab for participants who might need 1:1 support to help them navigate online to fulfil training or employment requirements or learn how to use smart technology. Our goal is to equip participants with the tools and skills they need to embark on a successful career in support care.

Home Care Experience Centre Technology Lab

Accredited First-Aid training

Available to program participants and Home Care Providers on request. This training is conducted by the SSI Registered Training Organisation team, who have over 30 years of experience combined and qualifications in training, safety and First Aid.

Two women conducting First Aid training

Presentation and training area

A space designed to host face-to-face sessions, including presentations for prospective program participants to learn and ask questions about the support and care sector and best practices to build a career caring for seniors, as well as keynotes with guest speakers such as Home Care Providers and support workers who are already in the care sector.

Group discussions and our peer support offering are also available at the Home Care Experience Centre.

This space is also available to Home Care Providers upon request to support them with their recruitment, onboarding and skills development work. For bookings, please contact us at homecare@ssi.org.au or on 1800 849 010.

Presentation area at Home Care Experience Centre

Drop-in support

The Home Care Experience Centre offers drop-in support for talent interested in learning more about the Home Care Workforce Support Program, as well as participants who are already in the program.

Home Care Experience Centre from outside

Support lounge

We understand the great value of having in-person conversations, so within the centre, we have a dedicated area for program participants to talk with their Participant Services Delivery Officer or a specialist.

SSI providing support to Home Care Workder

Upcoming Events

We run a series of sessions, workshops and forums tailored to home care workers, people interested in becoming home care workers, home care providers and management throughout the year. We also participate in third-party expos and forums.

Find our upcoming events below and sign up to any that are of interest to you.


Get in touch

For further information about events or to contact us:

Call us on 1800 849 010

Or email us homecare@ssi.org.au

How to connect with your community

For people with lived experience of disability, connecting with the community plays a big role in improving wellbeing and happiness. It can help you gain new skills, connect with like-minded people and build a life that you enjoy.

Connecting with your community is all about participating in activities outside your home or virtually through online groups. It includes socialising with people and doing things that interest you.

Everyone has different needs, so it’s important to stay connected in a way that suits you. Check out the resources below to get started.

Peer groups

Joining a peer-to-peer disability group is a great way to get extra support and make new friends.

In these regular meetings, people living with disability get together to talk about their challenges and goals. They share useful advice and discuss topics like NDIS services or disability in the workplace.

There are also groups open to family members and carers who provide disability support.

Watch the video to hear from participants what benefits they got out of joining a group.

After we arrived in Australia, we were isolated. We didn’t know many people, we didn’t have much support. I didn’t know where to go and after I met these people, like they’re now my new home and they’re my family, basically here and I can always go up to them and say, ‘Oh, I’m having a problem. I need something. I need help.’ And they’re always there for me. The Multicultural Peer Network (MPN) is a program that has been funded by SSI to provide awareness to the CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) community regarding creating awareness about disability and a bunch of tools that help them to get that access to the services as well. When my son was having problems with the school, they gave me advice and they asked me if they can support me any further. There are people who can help me with anything they offer support and I’ll be like ‘Okay, yes, this is what I need.’ Usually my son stays at home all the time but I think this time he can talk with other people. What I like about the group is that it is actually a very friendly environment. The conversation actually helped me to be more confident and be more talkable, so I practise like not to be too quiet, how to be more better at social skills. Dealing with a kid with special needs, it gets very overwhelming. The group really helps me restore my confidence, so I can talk to other mums and the facilitators, they tell me to look after myself and take a break. Parents, their feedback is really positive. Some people told me, ‘Okay, they are speak up more and things like, got more confidence. That’s a real achievement.’

FAQs

What kinds of disability groups are available?

Peer-to-peer disability groups are usually based on different interests or types of disabilities.

For example, one group might be for families caring for someone with a mental illness. Another might be for people living with cerebral palsy. There are also groups that cater to specific languages and backgrounds.

There is no set format, but a trained facilitator is usually present to keep the conversation flowing. Some disability groups meet online, while others meet in person. Some disability groups meet once a week, while others meet every month.

All groups are a great pathway to connect with people who have similar experiences. They can help you understand the NDIS, build a support network and learn new skills.

How can I find a peer-to-peer disability group near me?

Contact an organisation that supports people with disability.
Ask your community organisations or groups, local governments, places of worship or schools.
Search online for local disability groups available in your language.

What support is available to you?

SSI has created helpful fact sheets to support your journey towards connecting with community.

Each fact sheet has information to help people with disability make the most of their lives in their own communities.

You can use them to educate yourself or your friends and family. You could also bring them to your peer-to-peer group to start a conversation.

The factsheets are available in six languages: Arabic, Chinese, Nepali, Hindi, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

Factsheets in English

Employment with disability
Employment with disability

Learn about jobs for people with disability and how to find employment.

Self-advocacy and disability
Self-advocacy and disability

Learn how to have your voice heard and advocate for people with disability.

NDIS and how to access
NDIS and how to access

Learn how to apply for NDIS funding and what disability support is available.

Circles of support with disability
Circles of support with disability

Circles of support are groups of people who come together to help promote the goals and interests of one person. Learn how to build a circle of support around you.

Volunteering with disability
Volunteering with disability

Learn why you should volunteer in the community and how to get involved.

Why were these disability support resources created?

In 2020, SSI started running disability support groups in multicultural communities across NSW called the Multicultural Peer Network (MPN). The program was funded through the Department of Social Services (DSS) and ended in early 2023.

After the program ended, SSI sought to empower the disability community to continue to benefit from the resources created during the program. These resources are now publicly available for anyone to use, free of charge.

The MPN was a collection of impactful, peer-led support groups which promoted independence among people with lived experience of disability from multicultural communities, as well as their carers and families.

Helpful links and SSI programs supporting people with disability

To learn more about the resources on this webpage, facilitator training or other ways SSI supports community organisations, email community@ssi.org.au.

For more information about SSI’s disability support services in NSW, please visit our Local Area Coordination services page or email ssilac@ndis.gov.au.

SSI provides personalised employment support for people with disability. Find out more here or email the team on employment@ssi.org.au.

Join the community of hundreds of volunteers who give back to their local communities with SSI. Explore volunteering opportunities on our volunteering page or email volunteer@ssi.org.au.

Hi I’m Indu, I’m the local area coordinator, delivering NDIS in your community. Local area coordinators supports participants and their family to reach all their NDIS goals. My name is Bevan, and in 2009 I was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome which completely changed my life around NDIS and 2017. It has really helped me with managing my disability in both my personal and public life, and it has helped me really overcome many obstacles that I never thought I’d be able to overcome at first. It was about three years ago I met Bevan and majority of the time I had to gather information more from his parents. Because I often have moments of social awkwardness it was awkward at first, but we managed to get a strong trust. And now I feel confident (when I meet with my LAC). It’s really important to have that trust. They should have confidence when they are sharing their vulnerability with you. My name is Sama and I am LAC planner. We do a lot of things. I’m involved in meeting participants, supporting them, do their plans, deal with the NDIA and be like a linkage between participants and the NDIA as well as supporting participants to utilise their funding and maximise the benefit out of their NDIS plan by just explaining to them what their support is for and how can they use it. The first time I met Hanan it was like I think two years ago, and as she has mentioned that she, she has really, really a hard life previously because with her disability she was living on a second-floor unit with seven family members. At first I was tired but now I get help from this girl (Sama Mansour). I saw you and you helped me; God bless you. I’m lucky that I’m bilingual. I can speak their language and as well, me coming from the same cultural background has helped understand the issues that Hanan let’s say faced in her family. I wish for them to come to you! You help the people and a help is the best help. My name is Shereena Townsend and I lead the intake team. So for participants that are unsure of what supports they need or to maybe even support them access the NDIS, we can point them in the right direction. My favourite part will probably be because I’m so passionate about supporting participants and helping them. Sometimes they don’t even know who to turn to and having that skill and knowledge even in intake team to support those participants or give them a bit more reassurance and they give receiving support that they need. If anyone in your family or in your community has disability and you’re unsure of how NDIS can help you, we run a lot of workshops and information sessions where you can get more information.

About Local Area Coordination

All Australians have a right to a dignified and meaningful life. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding to eligible people with disability to gain more time with family and friends, greater independence, access to new skills, jobs, or volunteering in their community, and an improved quality of life.

SSI partners with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to deliver Local Area Coordination services within two Sydney regions. We support people to access the NDIS and other services and supports in the community.

How we help

We help participants to understand, access and navigate the NDIS and the support available.
We work with you to create, implement and review NDIS plans if eligible, based on your unique circumstances and needs, and help implement approved NDIS plans by connecting participants with services and support networks in your community.
We help people identify and link in with non-funded supports.

Your NDIS journey

01
Understand and access the NDIS
02
Create your first NDIS plan
03
Implement your plan
04
Review your plan
05
Revise and renew your plan

Get in touch

SSI delivers Local Area Coordination services to residents in:

Canada Bay, Leichhardt, Marrickville, Strathfield, Ashfield, Burwood, Sydney.

Bankstown, Camden, Campbelltown, Canterbury, Fairfield, Liverpool, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly.

P: 1800 960 975
E: ssilac@ndis.gov.au

Our head office is Level 2/158 Liverpool Road, Ashfield.

 

If you have any questions or enquiries specifically about the NDIA and not LAC please contact the NDIA Contact Centre on 1800 800 110

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please dial 000

If you are having thoughts of suicide, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14

FAQs

Does SSI have experience working with people with a disability who are from a cultural and linguistically diverse background?

Yes. Since 2014, SSI has supported people with disability, their families and carers through a number of community-based initiatives such as Ability Links and IgniteAbility Small Business Start ups – a business creation program designed specifically for entrepreneurs with a disability.

Does SSI have experience working with people from an Aboriginal or Torres Straits Islander background?

Yes. SSI has worked with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through initiatives including Ability Links and the development of the organisation’s Reconciliation Action Plan. SSI recognises the importance of engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through a respectful and collaborative approach. The organisation will continue to seek first-hand guidance to build on our knowledge of First Nations communities to create sustainable, respectful and equitable service delivery.

Does SSI have experience working with people where English is their second language?

Yes. SSI has more than 135 bilingual guides and many bilingual staff. Collectively we speak over 100 languages and dialects and can often provide support – written and spoken – in the language of your choice when you need it. Where possible we aim to provide translated resources and can organise interpreters.

Are you interested in employment opportunities with SSI Local Area Coordination?

We are committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer and since we work with people from diverse cultural and social backgrounds with varied life experiences, physical abilities and skills we encourage applications from people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, including people from Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander heritage and people with lived experience of disability.

If you are interested in applying for a position, please check current vacancies.

Am I eligible to receive NDIS support?

Click here to check your eligibility on the NDIS website. For more information you can contact the NDIS on 1800 800 110.

Program resources

Showing 1 3 of 3 program resources

Your feedback is important to us. Whether it’s a complaint, compliment or a suggestion on how we can improve our service, we want to hear from you.

 

 

Fill the Gap is an SSI program that empowers women to enter male-dominated trade industries through connecting them with training, networks and employment opportunities.

About Connecting Women to Trades

Despite increasing career opportunities for women, their participation in male-dominated trades has remained persistently low for decades, representing a missed opportunity for women to secure skilled and sustainable employment. SSI’s Connecting Women to Trades program helps build female participants’ confidence, skills and support networks in trades where women are under-represented, and where skills gaps exist. 

Funded by the Training Services NSW, SSI delivers the Connecting Women to Trades program in the epicentre of infrastructure growth in south and southwestern Sydney. Providing tailored support for those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, we help connect participants with the training and opportunities required to enter and thrive in male-dominated trade industries.   

How we help

We connect you with industry-specific advice and accredited training opportunities.
We help build your confidence and prepare you for employment through job readiness training and resume building.
Partnering with major industry employers, we connect you with industry work placements that may lead to traineeships, apprenticeships, or employment.

 

Connecting Women to Trades is funded under the grant program by Trade Pathways Program – Training NSW

Logo for NSW Government Department of Education

Get in touch

NSW

Connecting Women to Trades is delivered in south Sydney and south-western Sydney. 

Address: Level 2/45 – 47 Scott Street, Liverpool NSW 2170 or Ground Floor 

Phone: 02 9600 3100 

Email: es.wit@ssi.org.au 

 

 

Through the Home Care Traineeship, participants have the opportunity to get paid while undertaking a nationally recognised qualification to help you build a long-term career caring for seniors in Australia.

The traineeship equips participants with the information and skills you need. It also allows you to train with an employer and get first-hand experience while learning.

Our goal is to help new talent enter the home care sector feeling confident, well-prepared and with the skills required for a successful career in home care.

About the courses

The traineeship has been designed to cater to people with different lifestyles. You can choose between full-time, part-time and flexible hours of hands-on practical learning.

There is also a range of courses to fit your interest and needs and set you up for success as a home care worker.

Start your qualification pathway

Home care worker teaching senior how to use smart home device
Register now

Our team will get in touch with you to discuss local training opportunities to help shape your career path.

Older woman performing excercise with helper
Who is eligible?

Everyone looking to start a career in home care but with limited or no industry experience. The Home Care Traineeship is a complimentary service for eligible Australian residents and citizens across NSW and the ACT, including regional and remote areas. For more information,

Home care worker helping senior out of car
Find out more about home care

Interested in learning more about what a career in at-home aged care could look like for you?

SSI and Group Training Organisation, Apprenticeship Careers Australia (ACA), have joined forces to deliver the Home Care Traineeship across NSW and the ACT.

SSI

Start your own peer-to-peer support group

Peer-to-peer support groups are a powerful way to connect people with disability to information that can greatly improve their lives. They also play an important role in bringing the disability community together to advocate for themselves and others.

The best part about these groups? Anyone can start one. With the right tools and resources, you can create a safe space for people with lived experience of disability to connect with each other, access advice, learn skills and become more independent.

Read on to find out how to form a peer-to-peer support group in your community and what free resources and training SSI now offers for community organisations to upskill and run their own groups.

For more information on the Multicultural Peer Network, email community@ssi.org.au.

What success looks like: Multicultural Peer Network

In 2020, SSI created a successful model for running disability support groups in multicultural communities across NSW called the Multicultural Peer Network (MPN).

The MPN was a collection of impactful, peer-led support groups which promoted independence among people with lived experience of disability from multicultural communities, as well their carers and families.

The program was funded through the Department of Social Services (DSS).

During the MPN program, SSI found tailoring disability support groups to different cultures, languages and interests had a vastly positive impact on people with disability in these spaces.

Watch the project wrap video to learn more and hear from the facilitators

MPN Multicultural Peer Network is an initiative of NDIS to support communities to better understand NDIS. As the name implies, it’s a group of facilitators we were training for delivering those sessions and conversations to the CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) community, creating awareness about disability, the availability of disability services around for the community, and a bunch of tools to help them to get that access to the services as well. Being a facilitator is very fulfilling, having beautiful, beautiful ladies as my friends now because they become like part of my family and supporting them for each and every step and getting support from them as well. Well, I need support too because I have a kid with special needs and I break down sometimes, I need that support too. One of the really great things about the program is people from that community reaching out to people from their own cultural background, not people with a similar disability and having those conversations rather than just people listening to a presentation. I would say the impact that it’s had on the community meant people had a place to go. It provided a platform for people to meet and talk about a common topic, often ones that they didn’t feel that weren’t ever brought up just in a general conversation at home. I think 80% of them have had major breakthroughs, especially when it comes to breaking the barriers and the stigma with their families. It’s very important for someone with lived experience, as a person with a disability to bring their experience towards this project because not only that person is showing their experience, but also their knowledge about their daily life is and how to bring that knowledge towards others in the room. The Multicultural Peer Network was a great way to invite newly arrived people in to have a conversation, in language, in their own language. The most favourite part of the program, we learn together, we support together with the group. You can share your experience with other people to help them be more confident, more helpful, more useful to help support the family member.

Our results

71 +

community leaders

recruited and trained as peer group facilitators

1,000 +

program participants

supported across over 97 networks in 15 languages

92 %

of program participants

and 87% of family members and carers reported an increase in confidence

With a focus on guiding participants on advocacy and helping them gain new skills, 84% of participants agreed they were more knowledgeable about their rights and 85% felt they had new skills to help them achieve their goals.

With the resources from the MPN program now publicly available, community leaders and organisations can be empowered to start their own peer groups.

How to start your own peer-to-peer support group

What is a peer-to-peer support group?

Peer-to-peer support groups are an engaging way to help like-minded people with disability build their support networks.

The purpose of these groups is to bring the disability community together to talk about their challenges and goals. The groups meet on a regular basis to discuss chosen topics and skills, like finding employment or using NDIS services.

Each group is tailored to the needs of the people attending. They can be delivered in person or virtually, in varying languages or focus on a specific type of disability.

What is a facilitator?

Peer-to-peer support groups are usually run by a facilitator who helps guide the conversation and keep it flowing.

The facilitator also plays an important role in making sure the support group remains a safe space for everyone to share their thoughts.

There are no set rules for running a support group, but our facilitator guides provide useful information to help you get started.

What free resources are available for community organisations to learn about facilitation?

SSI offers its comprehensive facilitator training guidebooks for any organisation to use to train staff, members, or volunteers to run their own peer groups.

Guide Book 1 gives you the knowledge needed to set up a peer support group and develop the skills to take on a facilitator’s role.

Once you have set up a group, you can use Guide Book 2 as a template for running the conversations around important topics.

Guide Book 2 covers four suggested conversation areas with questions advice and examples to help the group learn more about each area. The topics include themes like ‘how to build a circle of support’ or ‘how to build your skills towards employment’ – all aimed at building capacity of the individual and group.

Download guide books

MPN Facilitator Guide - Book One
MPN Facilitator Guide – Book One

How to establish a group, basic facilitation skills, communication techniques, self-care and support systems.

Multicultural Peer Network Facilitator Guide - Book Two
Multicultural Peer Network Facilitator Guide – Book Two

How to help people learn about self-advocacy, circles of support, volunteering, and employment.

In this video, hear from the MPN Program coordinator Susie who gives an overview of the two facilitator guides and how best to use them in discussion groups.

The resources were developed in response to the community need to have a conversation. There’s two resource manuals. There’s a Facilitator Guide One and a Facilitator Guide Two. Our first facilitator guide is set out in six sections. First of all, we’re ready to start facilitating. How you set up your group, the logistics of the group, starting with work, how we do our acknowledgement of country to start with each group. We often set the group rules at that stage too around privacy and confidentiality and safety. The second part of that guide is basic facilitation skills. What is a peer? What’s the role of the facilitator? You’re there to listen and guide; we talk about communication next around what’s the foundation of good communication, listening. We talk about group dynamics and personalities for example, that can often be take up a lot of time in a group. We look at conflict resolution and different stages of the group development what to excpect in your group. It’s very important we look at the self care and support systems managing your own stress, your self care and again, we talk in that first facilitator guide, it’s really important to understand what the social model of disability is as well as social inclusion. So the second guide has the conversations and the conversations are carefully tiered to build capacity. Some people start with NDIS access, and then we go into self advocacy, circles of support, volunteering and employment. The second guide has got all the information that you will need as a facilitator. I hope that organisations continue to use the resources to build capacity with people who are marginalised and disadvantaged, people who live with a disability, it’s a really good way to collaborate and work alongside communities to support them to support themselves.

Free resources and facilitator guides

Facilitator training

SSI offers free facilitator training for community organisations and individuals interested in starting their own community peer groups deepening their facilitator skills.

To learn more about the resources on this webpage, facilitator training or other ways SSI supports community organisations, email community@ssi.org.au.

Facilitator guides

These facilitator guides are designed for community organisations to use as a handbook for workshop facilitation and to gain valuable skills in facilitating group discussion.

Book 1: How to establish a group, basic facilitation skills, communication techniques, self-care and support systems.

Book 2: How to help people learn about self-advocacy, circles of support, volunteering, and employment.

SSI disability support services

For more information about SSI’s disability support services in NSW, please visit our Local Area Coordination services page or email ssilac@ndis.gov.au.

Get in touch

About Disability Employment Services (DES)

People living with disabilities have an enormous capacity to contribute to the community through work. The Disability Employment Services (DES) program is an Australian Government initiative which aims to remove the barriers that may stop a person with a disability, injury or health condition from participating in the workforce. We help you to prepare for, find, and keep a job. 

SSI is funded to deliver DES services on behalf of the government across NSW, and SSI business, Access Community Services, delivers services in QLD. We work with individuals who require both occasional and regular, ongoing support in the workplace to maintain employment. 

Australian Government Disability Employment Services

How we help

We listen to you and build up a picture of your needs and goals around work.