The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was created to give Australians with disability greater choice, control and independence. For participants and families to have confidence in the system, that support must be delivered by people who meet the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and safety.
At Lion and Mouse Australia, we believe safeguarding participants is not optional. It is the foundation of quality support.
Recent public discussion about inappropriate use of NDIS funding and concerns regarding participant safety have highlighted an important question:
How can participants and families be confident that the people supporting them are safe, qualified and accountable?
Our answer is simple.
We only engage workers who meet strict screening and compliance requirements, regardless of their role within our organisation.
Going Beyond Minimum Requirements
Many participants are surprised to learn that not every person working within the disability sector is required to meet the same standards.
At Lion and Mouse, we have chosen to go further.
Whether an individual is:
- A support worker
- Allied health professional
- Behaviour support practitioner
- Administration team member
- Contractor
- Consultant
- Volunteer
we require appropriate screening, compliance checks and professional conduct standards before they can work with our organisation.
This approach helps ensure that every person connected with Lion and Mouse shares our commitment to participant safety, dignity and respect.
What Is NDIS Worker Screening?
The NDIS Worker Screening Check is a nationally recognised assessment that determines whether a person poses a risk to people with disability.
The screening process considers factors including:
- Criminal history
- Workplace misconduct findings
- Professional disciplinary actions
- Relevant police information
- Findings from worker exclusion databases
Individuals assessed as presenting an unacceptable risk are prohibited from working in risk-assessed roles within the NDIS.
Worker screening plays an important role in protecting participants from harm and maintaining public confidence in disability services.
Safety Is More Than a Police Check
While police checks are important, participant safety goes much further than criminal history screening.
At Lion and Mouse, workers are expected to uphold:
The NDIS Code of Conduct
The NDIS Code of Conduct requires workers to:
- Act with integrity, honesty and transparency
- Respect participant rights and freedoms
- Provide services in a safe and competent manner
- Prevent and respond to violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation and misconduct
- Raise concerns when something doesn’t seem right
These principles are central to the culture we promote across our organisation.
Ongoing Professional Accountability
Maintaining compliance is not a one-time event.
Our team members are expected to:
- Keep mandatory screening and clearances current
- Complete required professional development
- Follow safeguarding requirements
- Report incidents and risks appropriately
- Respect privacy and confidentiality obligations
- Work within ethical and professional boundaries
Participants deserve support from people who are committed to continuous improvement and accountability.
Protecting Both Participants and Workers
Safe services protect everyone.
Participants have the right to receive support in environments that are respectful, empowering and free from abuse, neglect and exploitation.
Workers also have the right to perform their roles safely, professionally and without being placed in situations that compromise their wellbeing or the wellbeing of others.
A strong safeguarding culture ensures:
✅ Participants are protected
✅ Families have confidence in services
✅ Workers are supported to perform at their best
✅ The NDIS remains sustainable and trusted
Why Integrity Matters
Every dollar invested through the NDIS should contribute to improving the lives of participants.
When services are delivered unethically, when boundaries are ignored, or when funding is misused, trust in the entire disability sector is damaged.
At Lion and Mouse, we believe ethical support means doing the right thing even when nobody is watching.
As an organisation founded and led by people with lived experience of disability, we understand the profound responsibility that comes with supporting participants and their families.
Our commitment is simple:
- Safety before convenience.
- Integrity before profit.
- Participant wellbeing before everything else.
Our Promise to the Community
Every participant deserves support that is:
- Safe
- Respectful
- Professional
- Transparent
- Person-centred
That is why Lion and Mouse maintains rigorous screening, compliance and safeguarding expectations for all staff, contractors and professionals working within our organisation.
Because trust is earned through actions, not words.
Speak With Our Team
If you would like to learn more about our safeguarding practices, worker screening requirements, or the support services we provide, we’d love to hear from you.
📞 Call: 1300 048 355
🌐 Visit: https://lionandmouse.com.au
Lion and Mouse Australia Ltd is a registered Australian charity empowering people with disability through ethical, participant-focused and professionally delivered support services.