{"id":1003,"date":"2025-09-23T09:24:06","date_gmt":"2025-09-22T23:24:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ruralhealth.org.au\/partyline\/?p=1003"},"modified":"2025-09-23T09:24:06","modified_gmt":"2025-09-22T23:24:06","slug":"supporting-our-workforce-strengthening-our-communities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ruralhealth.org.au\/partyline\/supporting-our-workforce-strengthening-our-communities\/","title":{"rendered":"Supporting Our Workforce, Strengthening Our Communities"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In the Kimberley region of Western Australia, community and connection go hand in hand. At \u2018far north Community Services\u2019, a registered NDIS provider, supporting people with disability starts with supporting the rural and remote workforce that delivers these essential services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Operating across Broome, Kununurra, Halls Creek, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, far north employs more than 120 people across disciplines including support work, therapy, behaviour support and coordination. Many of our staff live locally, often in the same communities they support \u2014 making trust, cultural understanding and flexibility central to the work they do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur people are our greatest asset,\u201d says CEO Kathy Hough. \u201cWe work in some of the most remote places in the country, and it\u2019s our workforce that makes consistent, high-quality NDIS registered support possible. We\u2019re committed to creating an environment where staff feel safe, supported and empowered.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a registered provider, Far North meets national quality and safeguarding standards, is regularly audited, and is approved to deliver a wide range of NDIS support categories. This ensures that every service we provide \u2014 whether in homes, community centres or out on Country \u2014 is safe, person-centred and accountable. Staff adjust daily to the cultural, linguistic and logistical realities of the regions they work in, tailoring support to the unique needs of people living in remote and very remote settings<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supporting a workforce in this environment means going well beyond the basics. Far North provides regular clinical supervision, culturally safe wellbeing supports, and ongoing professional development. Aboriginal staff are supported to move into leadership roles through mentoring and structured career development, helping build local capacity and representation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs the Head of Indigenous Engagement and Community Relations for Far North, I am committed to ensuring cultural safety throughout the Kimberley Region,\u201d says Thomas Worrigal. \u201cBeing a Kimberley man, I prioritize providing and delivering the necessary support to the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Far North is also focused on growing its workforce from within the communities it serves. Through traineeships, flexible roles, and community-based recruitment, the organisation is creating pathways for local people to build long-term careers in disability support, therapy and coordination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attracting and retaining staff in remote areas is never without its challenges. But Far North\u2019s investment in people \u2014 from housing assistance to inclusive workplace culture and genuine flexibility \u2014 is helping create a more stable and resilient rural workforce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As demand for NDIS support continues to grow in rural and remote Australia, Far North Community Services are showing what it means to be a registered provider \u2014 delivering safe, person-centred services while building and sustaining a workforce rooted in connection, cultural respect and community.<\/p>\n

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