NPA Assessments for People with Disabilities
The National Panel of Assessors (NPA) provide assessments for clients engaged with Disability Employment Services, including Ongoing Support Assessments, Supported Wage System Assessments and Employment Assistance Fund Assessments (workplace modifications). Logan Counselling Services’ lead Counsellor is NPA certified and works with other NPA certified assessors to provide these assessments throughout Queensland.
NPA Assessments throughout Queensland
What are NPA Assessments?
NPA Assessments are designed to help clients with disabilities maintain employment. Ongoing Support Assessments (OSA) are used to assess the client’s ongoing support needs to empower them in the workforce. Supported Wage System (SWS) Assessments promote the employment of persons with disabilities by assessing their capacities in the workforce in order to provide them with a ‘fair wage’, with approval from the Fair Work Commission.
The National Panel of Assessors, who are accredited to perform NPA assessments, operate under the umbrella of Disability Employment Services, which is a part of the Australian Government’s Department of Social Services.
What are the benefits of NPA Assessments?
NPA Assessments are all about supporting people with disabilities maintain engagement with the workforce. NPA Assessors are trained and certified to provide empathetic and non-judgemental assessments of clients’ support needs and capabilities so they can feel empowered and supported within their current employment. Ensuring inclusiveness for all people regardless of their disability, gender, age, identity or culture.
Logan Counselling Services’ NPA Assessors are trained to understand and evaluate client barriers and support networks in order to come to appropriate solutions that fit the needs of the client and the employer. Our Assessors are fluent in report writing and communicating with employees, employers and Disability Employment Services. Logan Counselling Services’ NPA Assessors treat all sensitive information securely and with the highest care.
Our QLD Support Assessors
Meet The Team!
Gary Noble
Director & Principal Counsellor
Gary is the Director of Logan Counselling Services and the Principal Assessor for the contract with DSS for NPA Assessment Services. He has been a full time NPA Assessor since 2010, after working for around 8 years in the Disability Employment sector. Roles included Intake Officer, Employment Consultant, DES Marketing Consultant, running a mowing Enclave under an ADE, and as an ADE Training and Placement Officer.
Gary has also operated a Private Counselling Practice since 2010 and works part time driving trucks for rail maintenance. He has a degree in Behavioural Science with majors in Psychology and Disability Studies, as well as a post graduate Certificate in Human Nutrition and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
Gary has more than 40 years of Disability Support experience for personal family, including for Mobility (wheel chair use), Acquired Brain Injury and Asperger’s Syndrome. Prior to study he worked as a Chef for 15 years, including in the RAAF and in the Fast Food industry prior to that – from basic Kitchen-hand to Store Manager.
Gary enjoys riding motorcycles and teaching advanced riding skills on weekends, as well as enjoying bushwalking, caravanning and cooking.
Florensia Walker (Flo)
Support Assessor
I have been in the Employment service field since 2010, with a focus on Disability Employment Service (DES), Job Active and Transition to Work programs.
My work has taken me across QLD,NSW and VIC where I’ve had the privilege of supporting individuals in finding meaningful employment opportunities.
Read More About Flo
To bolster my skills and knowledge, I pursued certificate IV in Employment Service early on and recently completed a Diploma in Community Service. These qualifications have deepened my understanding of client needs and enhanced my ability to provide effective support.
In 2023, I decided to pivot towards a new role as an NPA. This transition felt natural to me as it allows me to extend my advocacy for clients and provide crucial feedback to service providers. I firmly believe that everyone deserves an opportunity to thrive, and with the right guidance and assistance, individuals can achieve in their employment goals.
My career is not just a job but a passion to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives by empowering them to overcome barriers and achieve their employment goals.
Amie Davis
Sub Contract Assessor
Hi! My name is Amie and I first started as an Assessor with the NPA in 2013 after relocating to the Whitsundays, receiving an opportunity from Gary which I am still thankful for.
Since then, I have worked mostly across the Mackay and Townsville regions and love what I do!
Read More About Amie
I thoroughly enjoy working with employees, employers, families, advocates, and Providers to work toward maintaining or achieving positive outcomes in the workplace, and in particular, I enjoy working with people on an individual level and building good working relationships.
Prior to my role with the NPA, I worked in Disability Employment Services, managing a program on the Gold Coast before relocating, and have a total of over 20 years’ experience in the disability sector between DES and NPA.
During this time, I have obtained Diplomas in Disability Work and Management, as well as my Trainer and Assessor Certification.
Supporting and advocating positive working environments through inclusivity, awareness, fair and individual treatment, is something I’m proud to be part of.
Justin Seto
Counsellor & National Panel Assessor
Justin has been working in the Disability Employment Sector since 2013. He has extensive experience conducting ongoing Support Assessments and Supported Wage Assessments that are tailored to the individual needs of clients.
He works toward mutually beneficial outcomes for all involved stakeholders.
Read More About Justin
He puts a strong focus on conducting assessments in a manner that is collaborative and considered towards the needs of each individual, recognising that each individual is different and what works for one person may not work for another.
Justin has operated a Private Counselling Practice since 2013, with a focus on client-centred care and supporting people to identify and overcome barriers to work towards making meaningful, positive changes in their life. He has a degree in Social Science with a major in Counselling and a Master of Counselling.
Justin’s counselling experience includes providing support to employees with disabilities in an ADE, supporting clients with AOD (Alcohol and other Drugs) issues and EAP programs.
Liz Carter (Nee Nesbitt)
Support Assessor
I have a Bachelor of business HR. I have been working in disability employment for over 25 years.
I thoroughly enjoy working for NPA and have had over 10 years experience in undertaking ongoing support assessments and supported wage assessment.
I enjoy working with people with disabilities and travelling around Queensland meeting people from different backgrounds and occupations.
Director of Logan Councelling Services, Gary Noble, with a client and employer for the NPA.
Confidentiality Policy
All personal information gathered by the Assessor during the provision of the Assessment process will remain confidential and secure except when:
- It is subpoenaed by a court, or
- Failure to disclose the information would place you or another person at risk; or
- Your prior written approval has been obtained to discuss the material with another person. eg. a parent or employer.
- Required by law to be supplied to a regulatory authority.
As practitioners we abide by the National Privacy Act 1988 and use information collected for the purpose of individual Participant Assessments. Further our organisation meets and is accredited with Federal Government DESE (Department of Education Skills and Employment) ISO27001 requirements. Any records needing to be held are done so digitally securely in Australian onshore servers.
Your Bill of Rights
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO:
- Receive respectful treatment for the Assessment Services and Process.
- Ask questions at any time about the Assessment Services and Process.
- Have an Advocate/Nominee present and provided feedback on your behalf.
- Choose your own lifestyle and to have that choice respected by your Assessor through the Assessment Services and Process.
- Experience choice in identifying a safe setting for your Assessment, free from physical, sexual or emotional abuse or other form of pressure.
Download our policy documents here
| Title | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Brochure | June 20, 2024 | Download |
|
Code of Conduct | June 21, 2024 | Download |
|
Complaint Feedback Form | June 18, 2024 | Download |
|
Complaint Handling Policy | May 31, 2024 | Download |
|
Customer Ongoing Support Assessment information sheet | June 20, 2024 | Download |
|
Customer SWS Assessment information sheet | June 20, 2024 | Download |
|
NPA Code of Practice | May 31, 2024 | Download |
|
NPA Service Guarantee | May 31, 2024 | Download |
|
Service Delivery Policy | June 18, 2024 | Download |
To find out more about NPA Assessments, please phone (07) 3801 2833.
Please note that NPA assessments can only be assigned by the Department of Social Services, so we are unable to take any bookings for this service directly through our organisation.