National Disability Services (NDS) have published their 2020 State of the Disability Sector Report, which highlights concerns over workforce shortages and Positive Behaviour Support Plans (PBS). 

The NDIS will soon have 500,000 participants and, according to some estimates, the disability workforce will need to double in size over the next three years just to keep pace with increasing demand. 

As a result, the report calls for the implementation of the National Workforce Action Plan to urgently address workforce shortages, including behaviour support specialists and Allied Health roles. 

The report also highlights confusion relating to “conflicting information” on PBS plans, which it says has led to delays in the development of PBS plans. 

“Providers are also at risk of high penalties when they have little or no control over the funding for PBS plans and the availability of behaviour support specialists,” said the report. 

The report also promotes the use of the NDS’ Zero Tolerance resources to help prevent violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability.

NDS: 2020 State of the Disability Sector Report released