Rare opportunity - National Leadership Event: Social Role Valorisation (SRV) 10 themes. First time online - 6 short days - being held 18-19 November, 25-26 November, & 2-3 December 2021

About this Workshop (no prerequisites needed):

Why do this course? Do any of the following apply to you?

Some seek in-depth thinking about the issues facing marginalised people and how best to respond.
Many people are deeply concerned that both the NDIS and aged care reforms have taken the focus onto bureaucratic and technocratic matters, and away from a focus on the people.
Others are interested in this Course to refresh their understanding of SRV, and to get back in touch with what really matters, that is, the people and their experiences.
Others are looking for a solid theoretical and practical framework to use with a range of marginalised people and in a range of contexts.

Who is this course for? Please register if you:

are new to SRV and are in a role that allows you to make a big difference in someone’s life, though we will suggest some prior readings to you
have done the two-day workshop, ‘Towards A Better Life’ and/or PASSING as a way of deepening your understanding, and now wish to be exposed to the layers of SRV ideas
are people themselves, family members, paid workers, mentors and supervisors, teachers of SRV, educators, those who design and evaluate services, and coordinators among others
wish to use this as your entry into the SRV practicum, PASSING
can commit to all the sessions across the six days.

More about the Course

The background: The Course was developed by Dr Wolfensberger and Susan Thomas at the Training Institute, Syracuse University. It has been taught in Australia, the US, Canada, India and the Netherlands. It uses a combination of lecture format and large and small group discussions.

While Dr Wolfensberger didn't use the phrase ‘person-centred’, the body of knowledge and practice is very clearly all about the people and grounded in their lived experiences.

The on-line experience

The organisers and teachers are very mindful of the demands of a 33-hour course (plus breaks) spread over six days. You will get the most from the Course if:

you can use zoom and Google Classroom. We will provide a free online tutorial for those who are still developing their skills in this area. Please do not let any concern about using online tools be a barrier to you registering
your learning will also be assisted if you have a reliable internet service and a space that allows you to be uninterrupted.
you use a computer or laptop, not a phone or tablet
you will have opportunities to meet other members of the Course through the use of small group learning as well as contributing to the large group via ‘chat’
you keep a learning journal.

Please note:

this course is for individuals, not a group of people sharing a computer or a room
while the requirements of the Training Institute are to use lecture format, we will also include in-class activities and the use of small group work in breakout rooms to assist the learning. Some of the modules are in a pre-recorded video format.
a large handout pack will be mailed to you prior to the Course. We therefore require an address that is highly reliable and secure to mail this to you.

About the presenters

Jane Sherwin is an SRV and PASSING Senior Trainer, having been involved in the teaching, learning and application of SRV since the early 1990s. She is a member of the Australian SRV Association.

Based as a consultant in Queensland, Jane has been involved in the lives of people with disabilities and older people since the late 1970s, in government and community services as an occupational therapist, manager, lecturer, and organisational change manager. She works nationally and has taught SRV in Canada, the U.S., India, New Zealand, and the Netherlands.

Jane is a highly experienced teacher, facilitator, author and scholar-practitioner, and continues to work with family members and individuals to pursue the good things of life.

The following guest speakers will also contribute to this intense yet engaging workshop.

John Armstrong is one of Australia’s senior trainers in Social Role Valorisation. He travels extensively both throughout Australia and internationally teaching, consulting and conducting evaluations. He has much contact with families and support workers and gets to see the trends in services that impact powerfully on people's lives. John is recording several videos for use throughout the event.

Meg Sweeney lives at Jervis Bay on the South Coast of NSW. Meg became involved in advocacy for people with developmental disability over 20 years ago upon the birth of her eldest daughter. Meg is a learner, educator and writer committed to the implementation of Social Role Valorisation (SRV). For over two decades Meg has witnessed the effectiveness of SRV in assisting people develop authentic selves in the heart of community.

Sharon Lowe lives in Rockhampton in Queensland. Sharon is an experienced PASSING Team Leader and co-teacher of SRV. Sharon is part of the Management Committee for a Citizen Advocacy program and is currently also an Advocate. Sharon enjoys her involvement with several local community groups, especially helping new mothers and all things Scottish.

Danielle Mason lives in Brisbane. Danielle was first exposed to SRV when working as a support worker for a small disability service in 2011. SRV has remained relevant and useful across a range of service settings and roles, including in her most recent work role with Community Resource Unit. Danielle is a committee member of Values in Action Assoc. and has co-taught alongside Jane Sherwin during 'Towards a Better Life' workshops.

Ricky Esterquest is an American, currently resident in Townsville with his wife and two young boys. Since 2015 Ricky has been an SRV co-teacher, facilitator, PASSING team member, and a continual student and practitioner of SRV. Ricky continues to use SRV as a guide for his own values and to uncover his own assumptions, in formal service evaluations, for business decision making, as a recruitment tool, and as a developmental/training methodology.

Previous participant comments:

‘Wow, the complexities and nuances of SRV are immense’.

‘SRV strategies may not be as countercultural as they may feel, but rather can draw out hypocrisy and unrealistic assumptions about why things are or why people do certain things’.

’Loved the flow of material, different presenter styles, pretty overheads, fresh examples!’

‘When I learnt SRV, it wasn’t just that the lights went on, it was the lights at the Gabba!’

Event details:

18 & 19, 25 & 26 November, and 2 & 3 December, 2021
You will receive an informative letter of confirmation before the event and with it:
Please plan to be logged into Zoom 20 mins prior to the start on November 18 so we can check you in and to fix any login issues.

an invitation to a live online tutorial for those who are developing their skills in using Zoom and Google Classroom. We encourage you use the online tutorial until you reach a level of comfort/familiarity – that way you will be able to fully participate in the course
a link to a pre-recorded video introducing you to the syllabus and the paper handout package (which will be posted later).

Schedule:

Lengths of days: Each day will run as follows (daily finishing times are estimates; finalised times will be provided closer to the event):

Qld time (Australian Eastern Standard Time - AEST):

start 10 am and finish between 4 and 5.15 pm

NSW, ACT, Vic, & Tas time (Australian Eastern Daylight Time - AEDT):

start 11 am and finish between 5 and 6.15 pm

SA time (Australian Central Daylight Time - ACDT):

start 10:30 am and finish between 4:30 and 5.45 pm

NT time (Australian Central Standard Time - ACST):

start 9:30 am and finish between 3:30 and 4.45 pm

WA time (Australian Western Standard Time (AWST):

start 8 am and finish between 2 and 3.15 pm

At least 55 mins per day are designated break times, to allow time away from a screen. We encourage you to not use this time to catch up on emails etc.

Venue details:

Zoom details will be provided to each registrant closer to the event.

Cost (gst included):

Sold Out – Early Bird til 12 August 2021 – $583
Standard – $660
Concession – $450 – limited places available
Tickets are limited to 5 per organisation. If you would like to discuss booking more tickets for your organisation, please contact Greg on 0481 216 993

Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/srv10

RSVP: Registrations close on October 21, 2021

We would also greatly appreciate you letting others know about this opportunity by forwarding to others in your workplace, network, community group, family and friends.

This is an ASRVA event run with invaluable support from Values in Action Association.

Who is ASRVA (Australian SRV Association)?

ASRVA is the SRV safeguarding group in Australia. Its current priorities are to strengthen the Australian SRV community, foster the use of SRV and develop and accredit teachers of SRV. ASRVA is using a Community of Practice approach to strengthen collaborative relationships between members of the SRV community. At the heart of the work, of course, are people who experience devaluation, and the extent to which the use of SRV can enable rich and meaningful lives.

Find out more about ASRVA

Email: asrva42@gmail.com

About Values in Action Association

Values in Action is an incorporated association and an independent Social Role Valorisation (SRV) education initiative. We work with individuals, families, human services, community organisers and activists to assist people to understand SRV and to explore how they might use the lessons of SRV to achieve good lives for devalued people.

Our Objectives are to:

Tell People about SRV
Provide Events
Provide development & Leadership to Individuals
Engage with Other Organisations in SRV Activities

Contact Values in Action Association

Email: viaainc@gmail.com
Website: www.viaa.org.au
ABN:16 143 460 250 ACN: 617 860 009