Disability support workforce community engagement report

The Summary of Allen + Clarke and All is for All’s Disability Support Workforce Community Engagement is now available on the Whaikaha website, including an executive summary in accessible formats.  

This report improves our understanding of what disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori, whānau and communities want and expect when it comes to the disability workforce. 

In 2022, the Disability Support Services in the Ministry of Health asked Allen + Clarke and All is for All to engage with people, communities and organisations. 

The engagement took place over a few months in 2022. This project was transferred to Whaikaka after Whaikaha was established. 

The summary report is based on interviews focus groups and survey responses of stakeholders, including those with lived experience of disability, family and whānau, disability support workers, service providers and representatives from other organisations involved in the sector. Te Amokura assisted the project team to ensure Māori voices were authentically captured. 

Overall, the engagement responses highlighted the need for a future disability sector workforce that prioritises choice, empowerment, and respect for individuals’ needs and preferences. The responses also emphasised the importance of diverse representation, cultural competency, career development and training opportunities within the workforce, and greater support and recognition for family and whānau carers. 

Whaikaha acknowledges all those who have contributed to the report. The insights it contains, along with other information that’s been gathered, will inform the development of a disability workforce programme. 

You can read more about the disability workforce programme and download the Community Engagement Summary, and executive summary with accessible formats on our Disability support workforce – community engagement report webpage.