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In just one month, almost 10,000 disability support workers have taken up a free Positive Behaviour Support training package being offered by the Federal Government. Early results indicate a significant improvement in both skills and confidence.

The numbers speak for themselves.

Almost two-thirds of 15,000 free training packages for disability support workers have already been claimed - less than a month after the launch of the program.

Developed by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, the training lifts participants’ quality of care by giving staff better tools and strategies to deal with problems.

Three modules are on offer: Positive Behaviour Support (encouraging proactive approaches to challenging behaviour), Human Rights (dealing with the rights of people with disability), and Trauma-Informed Support Films (videos explaining how trauma can shape the lives and needs of People with Disability).

The response has already been emphatic. Since the launch on 11 August, almost 9,500 workers have enrolled and completed more than 3,500 modules. Most critically though, feedback is almost unanimous, with 98–99 per cent of participants saying the courses provide strategies they can actually use.

Lola Nicolouleas, founder of Assist Ability Australia, says the training has been a breakthrough. She says these new government-funded courses are more effective than other training her staff has completed. “The language is simple, it’s easy to understand, and staff can put it into practice straight away,” she says.

NDIS Minister Jenny McAllister says the uptake proves that the workforce is hungry for skills.

“It’s crucial our disability workforce is equipped with the knowledge and skills to ensure every NDIS participant receives support tailored to their needs.”

It’s absolutely true to say the NDIS has been a wonderful and transformative program. Equally, if the scheme’s going to be preserved it’s vital to recognise the need for change. But as spending on the program grows, wider support in the community is vanishing.

Perhaps that explains why Mark Butler’s starting to appear testy these days. Every press conference these days sees him answering questions about Thriving Kids. He created this program as a better way of dealing with childhood autism. It also offers the NDIS a way out of an existential financial crisis.

As the image and top story below show, he’s still calling for input to the strategy. Equally, as far as he and Anthony Albanese are concerned, the states have already signed up to the changes and he won’t let them back out now.