A $2 million funding boost from the state government will help to develop skills and meet workforce needs in the WA disability sector.
The cash injection, which was announced last week, will allow the National Disability Services (NDS) WA to increase the number of proficient positive behaviour support (PBS) practitioners to support people with a disability who exhibit challenging behaviours.
PBS is an evidence-based approach that aims to increase a person's quality of life and decrease the frequency and severity of challenging behaviour.
According to a 2019 survey, the WA sector needs to double the number of proficient PBS practitioners by July 2020 to meet demand.
The funding will also help to provide professional development for existing practitioners to meet the requirements of the Australia-wide National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
This assistance will be delivered through the state government's Sector Transition Fund for providers transitioning to the NDIS.
Disability Services Minister Stephen Dawson said the boost would ready the WA disability sector to meet the requirements of the NDIS from December 1, 2020.
"The McGowan government is committed to investing in the disability sector to ensure people with disability receive services from appropriately skilled support staff that safeguard their well-being," he said.
"Ensuring that people with disability, their families and carers have access to services and supports that enable them to live their best lives and participate fully in their communities is a fundamental human right."
