Helen Dickinson Helen Dickinson is the Associate Professor for Public Service Research at the University of New South Wales, Canberra. She has published widely on governance, leadership, organisational behaviour and rationing. Follow Helen Dickinson
A disabled NDIA chair is a great first move in the NDIS reset. Here’s what should happen next September 29, 2022 By Helen Dickinson and Raelene West Editors' Picks Will the new NDIA appointments go far enough in resetting the scheme and restore it to its original aspirations?
NDIS fraud reports reveal the scheme’s weakest points August 17, 2022 By Helen Dickinson Editors' Picks To operate as intended, the NDIS needs a significant commitment to co-design any solutions with – not just for – NDIS participants.
NDIS independent assessments are off the table for now. That’s a good thing — the evidence wasn’t there July 13, 2021 By Helen Dickinson and Anne Kavanagh Editors' Picks Many rated the assessment tools poorly, including accuracy and relevance of the selected tools, echoing the concerns of Occupational Therapy Australia.
‘Dehumanising’ and ‘a nightmare’: why disability groups want NDIS independent assessments scrapped March 14, 2021 By Helen Dickinson Community & Social Pilots so far show assessments are being undertaken by inexperienced health professionals who do not have much knowledge or experience of disability.
The NDIS is changing. Here’s what you need to know – and what problems remain November 22, 2019 By Helen Dickinson Editors' Picks National Disability Insurance Scheme Minister Stuart Robert this month announced a number of “practical changes” to the scheme. While the proposed changes have promise, there remain some fundamental challenges plaguing the scheme that these reforms are unlikely to address.
Where should we use robots in care services? November 20, 2017 By Helen Dickinson Case studies Aged and disability care suffers a skills and capability shortfall, but we lack a deep understanding of the implications of filling these gaps with robots. Australian researchers are exploring what practical limitations there should be on robots in care roles and what role of government’s stewardship in shaping these roles.
Can the NDIS deliver? May 24, 2017 By Helen Dickinson Community & Social As the signature National Disability Insurance Scheme rolls out nationally, a research project questions its ability to address systemic inequality.
Reform and the (not so) new role of stewardship September 28, 2016 By Helen Dickinson Features Reform discussions have focused on seemingly new ideas concerned with stewardship and commissioning. This is being touted as a fundamental change in what government does, but will it really lead to significant change?
Despite great promise, choice and control limits of NDIS still untested November 24, 2015 By Helen Dickinson Community & Social Will the government have the courage to stand up to backlash if people with disability use their care money to pay for overseas holidays, sex workers, internet dating, or tickets to sporting events?
Helen Dickinson: four things you need to know about commissioning March 13, 2015 By Helen Dickinson Features What is commissioning? Does it work? And how do you get the most out of it? A new paper examines the evidence from the UK and elsewhere to find lessons for Australian public administrators.
Commissioning public services: the definition and aims matter January 22, 2015 By Helen Dickinson Editors' Picks What does commissioning mean in the public service space? The definition is broader than many think — and the aim shouldn’t always be to outsource the work.
