Community Care News Digest - Resources & Services - Western Sydney Community Forum

RESOURCES & SERVICES

Thriving Kids Advisory Group Final Report

The Thriving Kids Advisory Group’s final report has been published. This report includes a proposed national model for Thriving Kids, and is accompanied by a summary, Easy Read documents, and a video summarising the report in Auslan.

EOI: Dementia Knowledge to Action Program

Expressions of interest for the Dementia Knowledge to Action Program are now open. Delivered by Dementia Training Australia, this program will upskill participants in dementia care, care improvement and leadership. This program is government-funded and will train staff in improving dementia care practices in their organisation and driving better outcomes for people living with dementia.

Abuse of the Older Person: eLearning Program for Health and Aged Care Professionals

This free, self-paced program is designed to help participants understand abuse of the older person and their rights, as well as identify and respond to abuse. This training was developed in collaboration with the Australian Human Rights Commission, the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) and subject matter experts and health professionals. It is best suited to health professionals, allied health and aged care workers. Completion of this course is equivalent to approximately 6 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Community Attitudes Module 1: Rights, Self-Advocacy and Speaking Up

People with Disability Australia (PWDA) has developed this module specifically to equip LGBTQIA+ people with disability with the knowledge of their rights, so they can make informed choices, ask for adjustments, and advocate for themselves confidently. This module is free, self-paced, and available through PWDA’s e-learning portal.

Access the training

Auslan Translated Videos: Aged Care Rights

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has translated six videos about aged care rights into Auslan. These videos cover topics such as the Statement of Rights, complaints handling, dignity of risk, and the Aged Care Code of Conduct.

Watch the videos

National Sign Language Program

The National Sign Language Program provides free sign language, interpreting and captioning services for eligible Deaf, Deafblind and hard of hearing older people. These services are available for older people needing support with aged care assessments, medical appointments, social activities, and emergencies. Aged care providers can utilise this program to meet the communication needs of eligible older people.

Western Sydney Community Forum 2026 Community Care Forum Calendar

Throughout the year, Western Sydney Community Forum delivers a range of events to support organisations and their staff to engage with others in the sector and stay up to date with reforms, training, and best practice. These include Community Care Forums tailored to those on the front line of the aged care, disability and community care sectors, and Community Care Leaders Forums to provide leaders, managers and CEOs with the latest resources, collaboration and training opportunities across Western Sydney. To get ahead on these events, as well as access information on related forums convened by others in the Western Sydney region, see our 2026 Community Care Forum Calendar.

Policy and Practice Support and Advisory Service

Western Sydney Community Forum provides a support and advisory service to disability advocacy organisations, CHSP providers and other community organisations. This service provides assistance with enquiries relating to policy, governance and operations and on a range of areas including sector reform and impact on operations, evaluation and measurement, leading consultation, engagement and inclusive practices, and much more.

First Nations CHSP Support Advisory Service

A First Nations CHSP support advisory service is offered to providers by Gilgai Aboriginal Centre. This is to support First Nations organisations and CHSP providers who work with First Nations older people. For more information, contact Gilgai on 02 9832 3825 or at [email protected].

First Nations CHSP Volunteer Workforce Advisory Service

Gilgai Aboriginal Centre provides a CHSP Volunteer Workforce Advisory Service to organisations and CHSP providers that work with First Nations older people. For more information or to access the service, contact Gilgai on 02 9832 3825 or at [email protected].

Aboriginal Translation Services Support

Gilgai Aboriginal Centre can provide a translation service for print and CHSP and aged care resources into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages. This will assist in supporting older people to navigate the aged care system, particularly people with diverse needs and to support CHSP providers in engagement with First Nations older people. For more information, contact Gilgai on 02 9832 3825 or at [email protected].

Customised Training and In-House Facilitation

Western Sydney Community Forum can deliver customised training and in-house facilitation services to the human services industry. The facilitators’ areas of speciality include (but are not limited to) strategic and business planning, project planning and development, and review and evaluation sessions. And training can be tailored and delivered at a venue of your choosing, and can cover areas such as governance, leadership and evaluation. Our members are also entitled to subsidised services.

Customised training

In-house facilitation

Western Sydney Community Forum Affordable Translation Services

Western Sydney Community Forum offers a trusted document translation service for small and large organisations and businesses. We use NAATI-accredited translators with expertise in translating a range of documents to assist with your service delivery, from simple brochures to complex and sensitive publications. Members can access this service at a subsidised cost.

For more information, contact [email protected].

Community Care News Digest Feedback Survey

The News Digest is primarily focused on disseminating information about aged care and older people, and disability and disability advocacy. It also shares information that is useful to people working with people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, LGBTIQA+ communities, and people with disability, and other areas that may intersect with aged care and the older population. We welcome feedback on how you use the News Digest, whether the information distributed has been valuable for your work, and if there is anything else you would like to see added into the Digest. The survey will remain open for ongoing feedback.

Access the survey