The Australian Government is backing the development of a best-practice guide to better support persons with disabilities who have experienced complex trauma in Australia.
Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said the $267,760 investment means Australia will lead the way in supporting persons with disabilities who have past or present experiences of violence, abuse, neglect or exploitation.
“The Australian Government will fund Blue Knot Foundation to guide organisations and practitioners on how to better understand complex trauma and deliver trauma-informed care to the disability community,” Minister Ruston said.
“This work forms part of Blue Knot’s role in delivering Government-funded counselling support and referral services for people with disability engaging with the Disability Royal Commission through the National Counselling and Referral Service.”
Blue Knot Foundation President Dr Cathy Kezelman AM said positive experiences with support workers, carers and advocates for people with disability was central to minimising additional trauma and fostering trauma recovery and healing.
“People have become much more aware of repeated trauma over the last 20 years. Complex trauma impacts so many people living with disability, directly or indirectly.’ Dr Kezelman said.
“Being trauma-informed is about supporting people to feel and be safe in their interactions with services.
“I am pleased Blue Knot Foundation has the opportunity to develop a trauma-informed guide for people supporting, caring and advocating for people with disability who have experiences of trauma and other complex needs.
“We are particularly looking forward to consulting with diverse representatives from the disability sector to inform the guide.”
For more information including Auslan and Easy Read resources, go to www.dss.gov.au/disability-royal-commission-support
The final guide is expected to be available by June 2021.
