Presentations

Implementation Masterclass

The session will be interactive and focus on the implementation of the New Specialist Disability Employment Program including major changes to the program and preparing your organisation for this change. This will include topics on the updated disability employment program, policy, and design. The session will include Paul Diviny from Prospert presenting the latest on Transition Planning within your organisation. Darren Coppin will provide detail on changing the mindset of current DES staff for the new program and managing change within your organisation. We have invited DSS to attend and run an interactive session on the major changes to the program and how to best prepare for Day 1 of the New Specialist Disability Employment Program.

Transitioning from DES to SDEP – Seven Critical Success Factors

Paul Diviny, Prospert Consulting and Training

The implementation of the New Specialist Disability Employment Program (SDEP) necessitates a comprehensive approach to change management and organisational transformation. During our session, we will cover seven important workstreams involved in ensuring a seamless transition for all impacted stakeholders.

People: Central to the transformation is the focus on leadership, staff development and support. This includes training programs to enhance skills, absorbing new team members into your culture, and ensuring sites are well-equipped to meet the needs of clients, employers and community partners.

Property: The physical infrastructure must be adapted to support the new program. This involves modifying service delivery to be more accessible and creating environments that promote productivity, comfort and safety for both everyone.

Service Delivery Models: Innovative service delivery models are essential for SDEP success. This includes adopting participant-led approaches, leveraging technology to improve service accessibility and feedback, and continuously refining processes to enhance client outcomes.
Business Intelligence Reporting: Effective data management and reporting systems are crucial. These systems provide insights into program performance, identify areas for improvement, and support evidence-based decision-making.

Stakeholder Engagement: SDEP operates within an eco-system involving clients and their families, employers and community organisations, and service providers. Ensuring the program is responsive to all stakeholder needs fosters a collaborative approach to service delivery.
Business Planning and Budgeting: Strategic planning and budgeting are necessary to allocate resources efficiently. This involves forecasting financial needs, managing budgets, and ensuring the sustainability of the program.

Change Management and Communications: A robust change management strategy is required to guide the transformation. Clear communication plans, regular updates, and two way feedback mechanisms help manage expectations and ensure all stakeholders are informed and engaged throughout the process.

Learn how Prospert is taking this holistic approach to change management and organisational transformation with several DES providers to enable a successful transition the New Specialist Disability Employment Program, ultimately improving participant outcomes.

Winning is Just the Beginning: The Behavioural Science of Thriving Under Pressure

Darren Coppin, Azurum

Winning your DES contract is like getting engaged — you celebrate, pop the champagne… and then realise you actually have to make the wedding happen…and the reception will last for years! Much like a wedding, there will be outrageous deadlines, expectations, let downs and people who just shouldn’t be there, but you’re kinda stuck with them.

In this talk we will dive into the behavioural science of managing change under pressure — how to execute fast without losing control, maintain your company’s identity, and build a culture that thrives and cares when things move at lightning speed.

We will consider how to ensure you emerge from the implementation period as the person (and organisation) you want to be, not the one that circumstance dictate.

Presenters

Wayne Herbert

Director of Progress and Property, LEAD Disability Services

Wayne is currently the Director of Progress and Property at LEAD Disability Services.

Wayne is an international speaker, writer, comedian, disability and LGBTIQA+ community activist. Wayne is an experienced not-for-profit board member, currently serving on the board of Sharing Places Inc, Wayne also represents the ACT and serves as Deputy Chairperson on the board of LGBTIA+ Health Australia. For over six years Wayne previously served as Vice President of Meridian ACT. Wayne is also a member of the NDS ACT Territory committee and has previously served as Deputy Chair of the ACT Government LGBTIQ Advisory council and as a member of the ACT Disability Reference Group.

A highly values-driven, ambitious, and outspoken advocate for people with disability and people in the LGBTIQA+ community, Wayne was a nominee for the 2024 ACT Australian of the Year for services to the disability and LGBTIQA+ communities. Wayne has a proven track record of taking on a strategic leadership role in driving regulatory and organisational change at a local, national, and international level. Wayne takes a unique approach enabling people to embrace change and integrate initiatives that promotes diversity, inclusivity, and respect. Wayne combines comprehensive knowledge of working within peer lead organisations, organisational governance, and personal lived experiences along with a genuine passion for driving positive change in our community and empowering people with a disability to unleash their potential.

Instagram @waynecjherbert
X/Twitter @waynecjherbert

Photo credit: Valent Lau, Corporate Photographer

Paul Diviny

Chief Executive Officer, Prospert

Paul Diviny is the founding Director of Prospert, an international learning, consulting and tendering management business with a focus on employability services.

Since commencing his business in 2020, Paul has directly helped over 1,000 employability professionals in learning the art of effective employer and community engagement. His and his team’s advice is sought out by Boards and senior executives in such areas as: strategic growth; tendering strategy and execution; learning and development; operations management; program management; and organisation design.

As an employer engagement mentor, Paul provides coaching and mentoring to frontline employability staff and their line managers, assisting them to master employer engagement and grow sustainable employment and strong, trustworthy bonds with employers.

With social justice values embedded in his upbringing, Paul is particularly passionate about transforming lives, businesses and communities – one job at a time.

Dr Darren Coppin

CEO & Chief Behavioural Scientist , Azurum

Dr Darren Coppin’s PhD considered whether jobseekers were actually jobseeking, and how to harness their strengths and resilience to engender proactivity for a brighter future. He has run an employment services provider, worked with over 50 providers and government departments, and been through more contract set-up rounds than he cares to admit.

He is dedicated to merging the ethereal disciplines of psychology, sociology and neuroscience with real world, front line practicalities to help this altruistic sector thrive.

Dan Gavin

National Manager – Disability Employment, GenU Training