Disability
Currently there are a number of qualifications that the disability sector has been integral in developing, including specialist disability qualifications and generic qualifications. Together they create the beginnings of career pathways for people working within the disability sector.
Disability Workforce Training Grants
Ministry of Health training grants are available to assist employers with costs arising from their employee's participation in many of the national certificates and diplomas listed below.
Click here for more information.
Current Disability Related Qualifications
Foundation Skills (Level 2)
Designed as an entry-level qualification to recognise the knowledge and skills required of support workers during their induction into work in a health or disability setting.
Core Competencies (Level 3)
Designed to recognise the industry generic knowledge and skills required of support workers working in a health or disability setting.
Human Services (Level 3)
Designed to recognise the knowledge and skills required of support people who work in the human services area in a health or disability setting.
Intellectual Disability (Level 3)
Designed to recognise the knowledge and skills required of support people who work in the intellectual disability area in a health or disability setting.
Vision and Hearing Screening (Level 3)
Designed for people who conduct vision and hearing screening tests with children. The qualification is aimed primarily at people already working in this sector or associated sectors or those wishing to pursue a career in aligned health sectors.
Disability Information Provision (Level 4)
Designed for people already working in the health and disability sector as disability information consultants, or similar, or those wishing to pursue a career within the sector.
Residential Limited Credit Programme (Level 4)
This Limited Credit Programme (LCP) represents the essential knowledge and skills required for working with people affected by dementia. As well as being used by Aged Residential Care providers with dementia facilities to meet their contractual requirements, it is also used by disability providers reflecting the ageing population of people being supported by the disability sector
Diversional Therapy (Level 4)
Designed for people working as diversional therapists (also known as activities officers) in a community, residential home, or hospital setting.
Disability Support Assessment, Planning, and Coordination (Level 5)
Intended for people who are new to, or are working in needs assessment and service coordination, case management, or similar roles.
Hearing Therapy (Level 5)
Designed for people who wish to work in the field of adult aural rehabilitation.
Future Disability Related Qualifications
Disability related qualifications currently under development include:
- Revisions to Foundation Skills (Level 2) and Core Competencies (Level 3)
- Advocacy (Level 5)
- New Born Hearing and Screening
- Senior Support Worker (Level 4)
- Team Leader (Level 5)
- Brain Injury Support (Level 4)
For more information on these and other qualifications under development, check out the Future Qualifications page
