New qualifications and skill standards in Disability Support

Toitū te Waiora are excited to announce the development of new Disability Support qualifications and supporting skill standards at Levels 3 and 4, set to begin in early 2025. This initiative comes as a direct result of our extensive consultation with the Disability Support sector during the Health and Wellbeing Qualifications Review, as well as the outcomes of the New Zealand Disability Support Network (NZDSN). NZDSN Voices From the Community Report highlighted the critical need for qualifications that prioritise disability support services. 

In collaboration with the sector, disabled individuals, and their whānau, Toitū te Waiora is committed to creating qualifications and skill standards that accurately reflect and support the unique needs of the disability support workforce and disabled people. 

We are eager to connect and engage with disabled people, their whānau and supporters, disabled people’s associations, subject matter experts, service providers, and disability organisations. We are particularly interested in hearing from people working within, or from, the Māori, Pacific, intellectual disability, and neurodiversity spaces to ensure that disabled people remain central to our mahi. 

Toitū te Waiora are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to contribute. Our consultation will be inclusive of both regional and national perspectives and take a co-design approach. To achieve this, we will be hosting a series of online surveys, webinars, one-on-one kōrero and workshops in collaboration with local disability support networks. Additionally, we will be forming a Disability Support Consultation Group and engaging with our established Disability National Industry Advisory Group (NIAG) to guide this mahi.

Need support to participate?

We want to ensure everyone who wants to be involved can contribute. If you require an accessible format, flexible timing, or another form of support, please get in touch with us at [email protected]