An inclusive approach to recruitment

At Aruma, we have taken a new approach to recruiting support workers. We have invited National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants to sit in on the interview panels to ensure we’re selecting the best people for the job.

Two of our Human Rights Advisors, Cody Barrett and Elyce Shearer, were recently involved in this initiative to help select new support workers for the Burleigh site.

Having been with Aruma since he was a young teen, Cody knows a thing or two about what makes a good support worker.

“A good support worker asks me what I want to do and involves me in every decision about how I live my life. They help me to do things, but they don’t do things for me. If they are unsure about anything, I want them to ask me so I can tell them how to best support me,” said Cody Barrett.

Potential candidates were invited to the Burleigh Head Office, where they met with two of Aruma’s Shared Living Managers, Michelle Rooke and Nathan Lawrie. Cody and Elyce joined the candidates for some presentations, followed by scenario role plays, a friendly tour of the office and services, and finally individual interviews.

“Both Cody and Elyce have experience being a customer of Aruma and also an employee thanks to their work as Human Rights Advisors. This insight was so valuable, and they did a great job of outlining the do’s and do not’s for support workers. They also shared some of their lived experience with disability which was really powerful,” said Nathan.

Following the individual interviews, Cody, Elyce, Michelle and Nathan came together to review the applicants, where they selected three suitable candidates to progress to the next stage of recruitment.

One applicant commented after the interview “I love that you have involved participants in the interview process. It really shows Aruma put the people they support at the centre of what you do and that you value your customers.”

According to the recent NDIS Review, in 2021-22 there were around 325,000 workers supporting NDIS participants. This number is expected to reach 453,000 by 2025.

Through inclusive recruitment initiatives like this, Aruma hopes to ensure that the right people, are in the right jobs.

If you’re looking for NDIS home and living options, social and community participation, or Supported Employment in the Burleigh area, contact Aruma on 1300 538 746.

A version of this story was published in the January edition of the Burleigh Wave.

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