The Centre for Disability Law and Policy NUIG, in collaboration with Genio and the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies, is hosting two half-day workshops:
“Supporting People with Disabilities to Make Decisions – The South Australian model of Supported Decision-Making”
Facilitated by: Ms. Cher Nicholson and Ms Laura Powell
When: Tuesday, 9th February, 2016
Location: City West Hotel, Dublin
Morning session: 9.30am – 12.30pm
Afternoon session 13.30pm – 16.30pm*
Cost: €40 for staff or €20 for self-advocates or family members
Who should attend: Front-line staff or managers working directly with individuals, self-advocates and family members wishing to progress self-directed models of support
*Both workshops will be identical. To facilitate those travelling greater distances it would be greatly appreciated if Dublin-based participants could favour booking into the morning session.
Cher Nicholson is a disability advocate who co-ordinated a pilot project on supported decision-making for 26 individuals with a range of disabilities (including autism, brain injury, and intellectual disabilities) run by the Office of the Public Advocate in South Australia from 2010 to 2012. Through the State’s Health & Community Complaints Commissioner, Cher has since refined the model of supported decision-making (SDM) and developed an intensive training and mentorship programme for SDM facilitators. This project was internationally recognised and short-listed for World Best Practice Award at the Zero Project Conference in Vienna in 2015. Cher now continues to expand her work through ASSET South Australia in partnership with local agencies in Adelaide and has most recently been invited to train Public Guardians in Japan.
These workshops will focus on the practical detail of how to implement supported decision-making at a grassroots level and will be a “taster session” aimed at support workers interested in training as SDM Facilitators using the South Australian Model. The workshops will be interactive, particularly focussing on skills development, with plenty of opportunity for questions and discussion.
Laura Powell, Sunbeam House Services, who has undergone Cher’s training in Adelaide will also be sharing her experiences of starting to implement the model in her work in Ireland. At the end of the sessions, information will be provided on further training and mentoring opportunities.
Please click here for ONLINE BOOKING . Please note places are strictly limited to 15 per workshop and will be allocated on a first come-first served basis.