Life Without BarriersPractical Design Fund

“Lived Experience - Recruitment and Staff Selection”Edward Birt, Area Manager, Southern NSW & ACT

Contents

• Background

• Research

• Training Package

• Meet and Greet Process

• Future work

• Questions

Background: PDF Objectives

• (People want to participate in recruitment)• Consult and engage• Develop policy and procedures• Develop learning and development frameworks• Develop a training package and resources that

supports people with disability in the recruitment and selection of their staff

• Pilot training package• Make training package available on LWB website

www.lwb.org.au

Research

• Interviewed 22 people (people with disability, family members, support staff)

• Asked them about – effectiveness of existing methods for engaging

people with disability in recruitment and selection– suggestions about the best way to engage

individuals with a disability in the recruitment of staff.

“I don’t like all the writing. It’s better to talk about it.” Participant

Research

“It needs to be the way we do things around here.”

“Be on time. That’s important.”

“We pick up on things you guys miss.”

“It reduces the number of mistakes in the process.”

“It’s a good way to see what people are like.”

Research Findings

• Participation resulting in mutually beneficial positive outcomes

• Clear policy position was needed

• The practical, emotional and accessibility needs of individuals

must be addressed

• Training and materials must be customised

• Meaningful alternative to full interview process is required

• Pictorial interview score sheets are useful

• Role play exercises and simulations were difficult for some

• Importance of adequate preparation to meaningful participation

Mutual Benefit

Person receiving (LWB) Service Service (LWB)

Effective selection / Choose the right staff

Feel valued and recognised

Develop skills

Relationships and community

Vocational and leadership opportunities

Effective selection of staff

Direct input to recruitment and selection policies from end user

Visibly promote respectful relationships

Relationships and community

Vocational and leadership opportunities

Training Package

1. Meet and Greet

2. Modified interview

process

3. Standard interview

process

Training

Training:• open to anyone• covers all aspects of

recruitment• interactive, role plays

Training assessment:• Understanding • Duty of Care• Identifies assistance

required in future

Meet and Greet Process

• An innovation which emerged from the research that

forms part of the interview process

• A brief natural conversation between

– Applicant

– Service user

– Support worker

“Sometimes interviews are too long and complicated.” Participant

Meet and Greet Process

• Customised scoring sheets

Meet and Greet Process

• Scores are combined

Learning Framework

• Training and assessment outcome recorded on LWB CIRTS system

• Participants receive a letter and volunteer card to recognise their training and eligibility to participate in recruitment and selection

Future Work

1. Alternative accessible formats (DVD, Braille, audio)

2. Amended toolkits for non verbal individuals

3. Training packages customised for cultural needs (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, CALD)

4. Training packages for all aspects of the recruitment and selection process

Materials, processes and

training materials must be customised

based on individual

need

Levels of Participation – You Decide

0 • No Participation

1 • Discussion of Needs

2 • Meet and Greet

3 • Modified Interview

4 • Standard Interview

5 • Full Recruitment process

Practical Design Fund

Questions

?Thank You

www.lwb.org.au

www.disabilitycareaustralia.gov.au/people-disability/practical-design-fund