Comprehensive Report: Leisure and Health Services Sector Examination

This report provides a detailed examination of the leisure and health services sector, specifically focusing on the aged care and disability sectors. It begins by describing the nature of the industry, highlighting the increasing demand for person-centered care and the diverse roles within it, such as Recreation Activity Officers and Lifestyle Coordinators. The report then outlines the author's fifteen years of experience in the sector, emphasizing the growing significance of this field due to Australia's ageing population and rising disability rates. It discusses the ethical values and responsibilities expected within the sector, including the importance of respecting confidentiality, preventing abuse, and managing conflicts of interest, referencing key guidelines such as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Australian Privacy Principles. Furthermore, the report details the author's role as an Aged and Disability Support Worker, including required qualifications, certificates, and experience, as well as the methods used to obtain them. The report concludes by outlining the author's plans for further studies to advance their career in this dynamic and essential field.

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Leisure and Health Services
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Institution

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Leisure and Health Services
Describe the sector of the leisure and recreation industry in which you work (or will work).
Leisure and health services are emerging extremely sought-after in the health care and
community services sectors. As Cloninger et al, (2014) states, in the recent years there has been a
gigantic push towards a more “person-centered” approach to healthcare1. Employers are realizing
the advantages of this particular approach and seeking for individuals who are able to build
robust relations with the people they care for. Duerden, Courtright, & Widmer, (2018) say that it
is about linking with them and recognizing they are people with their own unique hobbies,
passions, and needs2. Not just the archetypal 9-5 desk job, an occupation in leisure and healthcare
is as diverse as it is rewarding. It could see a professional working in a suburban home or aged
care amenity planning health and lifestyle programs which the clients will love. Such programs
intend to develop their general welfare and reinforce their psychological, physical, and social
development3. Roles can include a Recreation Activity Officer or Lifestyle Coordinator.
For the last fifteen years, I have been working in the Aged Care and Disability Sector. The
population in Australia is ageing and there is mounting concentration on the connotations of this
trend4. Disability rates in Australia are growing, due in large part to the ageing population, and
survival into old age is at the present a reality for many citizens who have a permanent disability.
In regard the results of the Survey of Disability, Ageing and Careers, in 2009, four million
1 Cloninger, C. Robert, Luis Salvador-Carulla, Laurence J. Kirmayer, Michael A. Schwartz, James Appleyard, Nick Goodwin,
JoAnna Groves et al. "A time for action on health inequities: foundations of the 2014 Geneva declaration on person-and people-
centered integrated health care for all." International journal of person centered medicine 4, no. 2 (2014): 69.
2 Duerden, Mat D., Stephen H. Courtright, and Mark A. Widmer. "Why people play at work: A theoretical examination of
leisure-at-work." Leisure Sciences 40, no. 6 (2018): 634-648.
3 Garratt, Jennifer. "Learning the Art of Care: Facilitating Culture, Development and Training." Winston Churchill Memorial
Trust, accessed June 23 (2015).
4 Radford, Katrina, Geoffrey Chapman, Hugh TJ Bainbridge, and Beni Halvorsen. "The Ageing Population in Australia:
Implications for the Workforce." In Work and Identity, pp. 39-54. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham, 2018.

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people in Australia (that is 18.5%) were reported to be having a disability. Men and women were
in the same way affected by disability (19% and 18% respectively)5. Due to this trend, Aged
Care and Disability Sector is getting busier every day. For older people living with a disability, it
is normally tricky to manage household tasks and everyday activities without some form aid.
This aid might come from a local support service through the Home and Community Care
(HACC) Program or a Home Care Package or a family member all of which fall under the Aged
Care and Disability Sector. For those elders with more serious impairments, residential aged care
homes offer the best support. Once upon a time what was perceived as a “pink-collar” job due to
the high percentage of female workers, the aged and disability care sector in Australia is
attracting more people especially men. This can be attributed to the fact that the National
Disability Insurance Scheme is gradually allowing people to select services which go well with
their personal needs. In this particular sector, we are offering services such as allied health
services, including physiotherapists, dietitians, and occupational therapists, mobility help such as
wheelchairs or walking frames, and short stays in residential aged care homes and other forms of
reprieve care. We normally volunteer to do most of these activities as recreational undertakings
during our leisure times.
What values/ ethics are you expected to uphold?
Values and ethics are fundamental to any sector; those of us operating in the Aged Care and
Disability Sector are no exception. A code of ethics refers to a set of core ethical values which
inform and guide ethical practices within a line of work6. Ethics define the values and
5 1. Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2010, Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia: Summary of Findings, 2009(cat. no 4430.0),
<www.abs.gov.au>.
6 Pope, Kenneth S., and Melba JT Vasquez. Ethics in psychotherapy and counseling: A practical guide. John Wiley & Sons,
2016.

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responsibilities which are elementary to a certain profession. Apart from the National Standards
for Disability Services, there also several other vital frameworks which provide guidance on the
way we respond to ethical and legal issues which are prone to occur through our work as service
providers. What is more, Aged Care and Disability Sector, through a set of core ethical
principles, has defined responsibilities and values which are essential to this particular
profession7. These values and responsibilities are meant to help all service providers to act in
morally informed ways in the pursuit of the profession’s aims and values.
Articles 16 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, clearly articulates the
rights of the elderly to be free from abuse, exploitation, and violence8. This convention requires
us to uphold all suitable social, administrative, educational, legislative and other measures to
safeguard people with disabilities, both within and outside the home, from every form of
violence, abuse and exploitation, including their gender-based aspects. In Aged Care and
Disability sector, we therefore try as much as possible to prevent the occurrence of any form of
abuse, violence, and exploitation. We ensure that every facility and program designed to serve
people with disabilities is efficiently monitored by autonomous authorities.
Respecting the confidentiality and privacy of service users is a vital part of service delivery9. In
Aged Care and Disability Sector, this is not simply an ethical consideration, but a legal one as
7 Australian Government: Department of Social Services. Disability and Carers: National Standards for Disability Services. 1
December 2013, https://www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/disability-and-carers/standards-and-quality-assurance/national-
standards-for-disability-services
8 United Nations-Disability:Department Of Economic And Social Affairs. Article 16 – Freedom from exploitation, violence and
abuse. 2019, https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities/article-16-
freedom-from-exploitation-violence-and-abuse.html
9 CHCCS301A. Free Online Training for community service sector. The right to privacy. 2019,
https://etraining.communitydoor.org.au/mod/page/view.php?id=67

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well. The Australian Privacy Principles expect every service provider and agency to have their
own procedures and policies in place to safeguard the privacy of service users. In regard to this
requirement, we request our service consumers to provide only the most necessary information
pertinent in delivering our services. Also, we do not talk about service users’ information in
informal places with individuals outside the organisation, like family members or friends. We
also do not talk about individual cases in public places where other people are present for
example during conferences or meetings. Besides, we not reveal individual information
concerning a service user to any other third party without their informed consent. File documents
containing personal information in relation to service users are properly kept and we avoid
leaving them in settings where they can be accessed by other unauthorized people.
Conflict of interest is another ethical consideration in the Aged Care and Disability sector. Linda
Summerton regards conflict of interest as any reason which might prevent an individual from
being impartial and objective in his/her work10. Conflict of interest might occur because of an
individual’s relationship with a colleague or client, because of personal values or beliefs, or
because he/she stands to gain from approaching his work in a particular manner11. The procedure
for handling a conflict of interest is recorded in our organization’s code of ethics. Generally, we
try our best to circumvent any situation which is likely to prevent us from approaching our
specific roles in an objective way.
What is your role and what qualifications are required to perform your job?
10 Summerton, L. Professional Boundaries between you and your carer. Sep 7, 2013, https://blog.advancedcare.com.au/blog-
advanced-care-australia/bid/70774/professional-boundaries-between-you-and-your-carer
11 Gerald P. Koocher, ABPP and Patricia Keith-Spiegel, "What Should I Do?" - Ethical Risks, Making Decisions, and Taking
Action: Courses for Mental Health Professionals, 2009, http://www.continuingedcourses.net/active/courses/course050.php

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I work as Aged and Disability Support Worker, Relief Pool. My role is mainly supporting people
with a variety of disabilities as well as those with failing health caused by ageing. As a support
worker, I work with clients who require aid due to disabilities, sickness, injury, or ageing.
Support is offered in service user’s homesteads or in the community and involves things such as:
 Social support and companionship
 Transport service for shopping, outings, and appointments
 Housekeeping
 Personal care
 Activities/exercise support
 Meal preparation
I pride myself on offering our service users with an outstanding service so this position requires
me to be enthusiastic and demonstrate:
 Good attention to detail and a high level of organizational skills and competence
 Resourcefulness together with an affectionate, welcoming, positive attitude to work and
life
 An excellent command of both spoken and written English
 An authentic infatuation for making a difference in somebody’s life
 A customer/ client focused approach to excellent service delivery
 Excellent personal presentation
 The capability to become accustomed to a range of situations and work as part of a
motivated team

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Minimum qualifications, certificates and experience required for my role as Aged and Disability
Support Worker, Relief Pool are:
 Medication proficiency
 Hand Hygiene certificate
 Current First Aid official document
 National Police Clearance
 Previous paid employment in aged or disability care
 A roadworthy vehicle and up to date Drivers License that is insured and registered
 Current Manual Handling certificate
A suitable Cert III qualification or healthcare studies in a applicable field, whilst not necessary,
is highly regarded in my role.
How did you achieve the necessary qualification? What further studies do you need to
develop and what qualifications will you require in order to continue working in the
industry?
Qualifications for my role of a Support Worker can be acquired by combining academic degree,
formal and informal training, post-secondary certificate, voluntary certification, and a
professional license from a professional association12. I have pursued a vocational post-
secondary certificate in relevant areas such as Hand Hygiene and Current First Aid pertinent in
the Aged Care and Disability sector. In addition to these certificates, I also underwent both
formal and informal training. Examples of formal training I acquired include cooperative
education, internships, apprenticeships as well as on-the-job training. Some of the informal
12 Indeed, Disability Support Worker, Relief Pool., 2019, https://au.indeed.com/Aged-Care-Disability-Support-Worker-jobs

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trainings I pursued include volunteer experience or other exposure which prepared me to do the
job. Furthermore, licenses, at times referred to as registration or certification, is required to work
in the Aged Care and Disability. For instance, for me to adequately qualify for my Support
Worker role, I was required to have certificate in Current Manual Handling and a driving license.
Apart from these mandatory certifications and licenses, there is voluntary certification. For the
last fifteen years I have been working as a volunteer in the Aged Care and Disability sector I
have demonstrated competence in the industry. As a result, I have awarded a number of
certificates which although are not necessary, have made me a more desirable job candidate in
any role in the Aged Care and Disability sector.
Working with old and disabled people in Australian can be a worthwhile and rewarding
employment path13. As the country’s population continues to grow old, there are is mounting
number of bona fide occupation opportunities for persons who have the professional, talent,
background, skills and knowledge to offer positive help to older persons who might require
additional support. This being my career path, I need to undertake further studies pertinent in this
industry. I am planning, for example, to pursue Campus-based courses such as Certificate III in
Individual Support (Ageing, Home and Community) and a Diploma of Nursing. The care of
older and disabled individuals is a diverse and complex branch of healthcare. Certificate III in
Individual Support (Ageing, Home and Community) is a countrywide recognised certificate and
it is regarded as the primary step towards acquiring the practical and knowledge experience
necessary to work in one of the several areas of this swiftly growing sector of Aged Care and
13 Permalink, Work for a better world: Why your next job should be in disability support work. March 15, 2018,
http://www.ethicaljobs.com.au/blog/why-your-next-job-should-be-in-disability-support-work

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Disability sector. Moreover, Diploma of Nursing course is a nationwide recognized course that
can enable me to find an occupation as an assistant in nursing or nursing support worker14.
Explain the legislation and regulatory requirements applicable to the sector.
All individuals and organizations are required to conform to applicable legislation to which they
are subject including by-laws, regulations, and prescribed laws. Organizations are supposed to
determine their legislative obligations and adhere to them accordingly15. The Age Care and
Disability sector in Australia is legislated and regulated by Disability Services Act 198616. This
act requires any organization operating under the Ages Cares and Disability sector to be fully
accredited by an authorized certification body endowed by the Australian government with
certifying functions. If the accrediting authority is not satisfied fully that a certified organization
is conducting its functions proficiently or impartially, the certification organization is mandated
by the Act to withdraw the organization’s accreditation. Thus the law requires any association
offering aiding services to the aged and the disabled to perform its functions diligently,
competently and with a great deal of impartiality, failure to which their certification can be
revoked. Moreover, the Disability Services Act 1986 highlights some accommodation support
services which the Age Care and Disability sector should administer. They include attendant care
services such as personal administration, grooming, dressing, transfers, personal hygiene,
drinking, transport, mobility, and similar personal activities. Any organization which provides
contrary services should provide proper justification to the concerned or immediate authorities. If
they are considered good and fit to the target group, such supplementary services are approved as
14 Open Colleges Pty Ltd. Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing, Home and Community) | SA and WA campus-based
learning. Join Australia’s fastest growing workforce!.2019, https://www.opencolleges.edu.au/courses/on-campus/certificate-iii-
in-individual-support-sa-wa
15 Queensland Government. Legal requirements. 2019, https://www.business.qld.gov.au/starting-business/licensing-obligations/
legal-obligations/meeting-obligations/requirements
16 Stancliffe, S.,J. The Disability Services Act 1986: Twenty years on. Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, 2009,
https://doi.org/10.1080/1366825060100693.

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directed in section 7 (Approval of additional eligible services) of the Act. In addition, the
services offered should meet certain standards and they should all aim at supporting the aged and
disabled and properly protect their rights and freedoms. All Australian organizations operating
under the Aged Care and Disability sector are eligible for financial assistance from individuals,
association, well-wishers, sponsor, and even the government. Those grants are legitimately
approved by a Minister after establishing its intent purpose, the target group or the beneficiaries,
and whether the organization meets the required standards of an association offering community
services. Any financial assistance and grant must be directed to the originally intended purpose
and any form of deviation should be publicized accordingly. Division 3A—Disability Standards
Review Panels of the Act requires every Aged Care and Disability firm to operate in respect of
one or more States and Territories17. This implies that every organization has some stipulated
jurisdictions or territories outside which it should not extend its services.
Do you consider that the trend towards tighter regulation of the industry is good?
I consider the trend towards tighter regulation of the Aged Care and Disability industry good.
Regulation and legislation are important instruments of administration in organizing society and
protecting people18. They determine among others the responsibilities and rights of individuals
and associations to whom the regulations and legislations apply. As Jager emphasizes, a law has
diminutive or no value if there is neither enforcement nor discipline. A legislative framework is
required to put into practice and execute the different components of an Aged Care and
Disability sector, and to regulate the activities of different parties found in this industry19.
17 Phillips, J., Disability support and services in Australia. 16 June 2008,
https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/BN/0708/
DisabilitySupportServicesAustralia
18 De Jager,H., Importance of legislation. Economic and Management Science .,2015, URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2263/14758
19 Australian Government Department of Health. Aging and Aged Care: legislation, 12 April 2017,
https://agedcare.health.gov.au/publications-and-articles/legislation

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Allowing the flow of ineffective poor-quality products and harmful services in Australia has an
impact on the population’s health as well as on the national economy. Our services touch on the
healthcare and hence lack of regulations and legislation affects cost-effectiveness in health
delivery. Legislations and regulations enable relevant government authorities, in more detail, to
specify the way laws ought to be interpreted, and the way they shall be imposed and put into
practice. Regulations imposed in the Aged Care and Disability sector can be changed more easily
than laws, and create the indispensable flexibility in a changing environment. Legislation and
regulations make sure that the qualifications, rights, responsibilities and roles of every party in an
establishment is clearly defined and recognized.
Explain what regulation of the industry actually means and how it has and should continue
to improve the products/ service offered to clients.
In its broadest sense the term “regulation” might be taken to understand all forms controls which
Australian government enforces on every firm rendering its services in the Aged Care and
Disability sector20. In the narrower sense in which the terminology is applied here, it is limited to
control of the services offered and all general activities of all these organizations. Government
regulations are certainly a friend of business, since they provide financial, advisory and other
forms of service to Aids Care and Disability sector. At the same time, the Australian government
is also a friend of the service users since through its various Acts, it protects their interests by
enforcing and implementing regulations, protective laws, and rules. Regulations will
continuously improve the services we offer in the Aged Care and Disability sector since they
control the operations of all organizations and work to ensure that every service administered
protects rights and freedoms of our target groups. Without government legislations and
20 Australian Law Reform Commission. 4. Aged Care The aged care workforce, 2019,
https://www.alrc.gov.au/publications/aged-care-workforce

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regulations every association might act according to the way it feels fit perhaps without
considering the wellbeing the targeted group21.
How does it contribute toward your ability to meet customer/ client needs and how do you
find out what your customers’ needs are and whether you are meeting those needs?
Government legislation and regulations applied in the Aged Care and Disability sector have
enabled me to comprehend the importance of giving our clients the best. They deserve the best
and that is why various governmental and non-governmental bodies work hand in hand to ensure
needy people especially the aged and disabled are well handled. Regulations play a key role in
my capacity to understand what the service users actually need and how it should be provided to
them. They have helped me acknowledge that in everything we do, client’s rights and freedom
should be safeguarded regardless of our personal opinions or interests22. These regulations have
also set some frameworks which an individual can apply to comprehend customer’s needs and
wants. After administering our services, the government regulations require us to assess the level
at which they have satisfied the user’s needs. As said before, the guide us in doing what is right
in every situation without considering our individual outlooks which might be flawed. Proper
assessments should be carried out to ascertain the intended purpose of every action we take has
been achieved.
21 Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, Home <www.ahpra.gov.au>.
22 Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, Who We Are <www.ahpra.gov.au>.

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Bibliography
1. Cloninger, C. Robert, Luis Salvador-Carulla, Laurence J. Kirmayer, Michael A.
Schwartz, James Appleyard, Nick Goodwin, JoAnna Groves et al. "A time for action on
health inequities: foundations of the 2014 Geneva declaration on person-and people-
centered integrated health care for all." International journal of person centered medicine
4, no. 2 (2014): 69.
2. Duerden, Mat D., Stephen H. Courtright, and Mark A. Widmer. "Why people play at
work: A theoretical examination of leisure-at-work." Leisure Sciences 40, no. 6 (2018):
634-648.
3. Garratt, Jennifer. "Learning the Art of Care: Facilitating Culture, Development and
Training." Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, accessed June 23 (2015).
4. Radford, Katrina, Geoffrey Chapman, Hugh TJ Bainbridge, and Beni Halvorsen. "The
Ageing Population in Australia: Implications for the Workforce." In Work and Identity,
pp. 39-54. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham, 2018.
5. Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2010, Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia: Summary
of Findings, 2009(cat. no 4430.0), <www.abs.gov.au>.
6. Pope, Kenneth S., and Melba JT Vasquez. Ethics in psychotherapy and counseling: A
practical guide. John Wiley & Sons, 2016.
7. Australian Government: Department of Social Services. Disability and Carers: National
Standards for Disability Services. 1 December 2013, https://www.dss.gov.au/our-
responsibilities/disability-and-carers/standards-and-quality-assurance/national-standards-
for-disability-services

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8. United Nations-Disability:Department Of Economic And Social Affairs. Article 16 –
Freedom from exploitation, violence and abuse. 2019,
https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-
with-disabilities/article-16-freedom-from-exploitation-violence-and-abuse.html
9. CHCCS301A. Free Online Training for community service sector. The right to privacy.
2019, https://etraining.communitydoor.org.au/mod/page/view.php?id=67
10. Summerton, L. Professional Boundaries between you and your carer. Sep 7, 2013,
https://blog.advancedcare.com.au/blog-advanced-care-australia/bid/70774/professional-
boundaries-between-you-and-your-carer
11. Gerald P. Koocher, ABPP and Patricia Keith-Spiegel, "What Should I Do?" - Ethical
Risks, Making Decisions, and Taking Action: Courses for Mental Health Professionals,
2009, http://www.continuingedcourses.net/active/courses/course050.php
12. Indeed, Disability Support Worker, Relief Pool., 2019, https://au.indeed.com/Aged-Care-
Disability-Support-Worker-jobs
13. Permalink, Work for a better world: Why your next job should be in disability support
work. March 15, 2018, http://www.ethicaljobs.com.au/blog/why-your-next-job-should-
be-in-disability-support-work
14. Open Colleges Pty Ltd. Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing, Home and
Community) | SA and WA campus-based learning. Join Australia’s fastest growing
workforce!.2019, https://www.opencolleges.edu.au/courses/on-campus/certificate-iii-in-
individual-support-sa-wa

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15. Queensland Government. Legal requirements. 2019,
https://www.business.qld.gov.au/starting-business/licensing-obligations/legal-
obligations/meeting-obligations/requirements
16. Stancliffe, S.,J. The Disability Services Act 1986: Twenty years on. Journal of
Intellectual & Developmental Disability, 2009,
https://doi.org/10.1080/1366825060100693.
17. Phillips, J., Disability support and services in Australia. 16 June 2008,
https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/
Parliamentary_Library/pubs/BN/0708/DisabilitySupportServicesAustralia
18. De Jager,H., Importance of legislation. Economic and Management Science .,2015, URI:
http://hdl.handle.net/2263/14758
19. Australian Government Department of Health. Aging and Aged Care: legislation, 12
April 2017, https://agedcare.health.gov.au/publications-and-articles/legislation
20. Australian Law Reform Commission. 4. Aged Care The aged care workforce, 2019,
https://www.alrc.gov.au/publications/aged-care-workforce
21. Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, Home <www.ahpra.gov.au>.
22. Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, Who We Are <www.ahpra.gov.au>.