How we work in
co-design
The unique model that ensures everyone gets a say.
At Feros Care, we’re big on collaboration.
Our lived experience allows our team members to work in co-design with people in disability alongside peak bodies and organisations, influencing social policy and building capacity in communities, and working for further accessibility and inclusivity.
This approach works towards ensuring people with disability have full rights to access the services and supports available to other Australians.
Want to be a voice for your community?
Co-design Framework
Feros Care is focused on empowering people to lead the change that they want to
see and believe that people with disability are the experts in their own life.
This framework sets out the ways our team will engage in co-design with people with disability.
Co-design Guiding Principles
Guiding principle one
Accountability and transparency
Feros Care will seek feedback and work together with participants and communities on creative and outcome-focused solutions.
Guiding principle two
Inclusive and accessible design
Feros Care will be a leader in building all-inclusive practices alongside people of all abilities.
Guiding principle three
Collaboration
Feros Care will embed in community to establish ongoing partnerships and develop strong opportunities to work together.
Guiding principle four
Safe spaces and safe people
Feros Care will learn from our communities and educate staff to nurture safe spaces.
Guiding principle five
Circle of Support
Feros Care will work with people with disability, families, friends and supporters to empower each to live their best life.
Guiding principle six
Changing the Narrative
Feros Care will work on true visibility of disability to break down stigma and stereotypes.
Guiding principle seven
Investing Time
Feros Care will provide diverse models of engagement to ensure you have a platform to feel heard.
Co-design in action
What we’ve done
Our Local Working Groups and National Advisory Groups have 2 main objectives.
- Shape Feros Care’s practices and initiatives
- Identity opportunities and guide Co-design initiatives for their local community
In 2023 the Local Working group co-designed Inclusive Employment Resources.
Learn more about the insights each working group generated below
ACT Local Working Group – Report | SA Local Working Group – Report
Mackay Local Working Group – Report | Townsville Local Working Group – Report
Co-designed Inclusive Employment Resources
Want to be a voice for your community?
How we came to the Co-Design model
In 2021, we began reviewing and refining our existing consultation process to formalise our Co-design Guiding Principles.
This process included forming national advisory groups and intensive focus groups with a wide range of people with disability from diverse groups.
We collated all the feedback and themes and convened a national workshop that united people with disability, professionals from the community and Feros Care staff to understand the top themes that came out of the national focus groups.
This has since formed our seven Co-design Guiding Principles, which ensure we continue to hear everyone’s voice to create projects with the people they are meant for.
It’s all part of our ‘Nothing About Me, Without Me’ approach, which ensures that a person with disability takes part in every conversation about their life, their services and support.
Photos from co-design focus groups
Co-design stories
For many people with disability, public transport can feel daunting. That’s why Feros Care hosted its second annual Try Before You Ride event at Gawler Railway Station on 25 October…
At Feros Care, we are promoting the co-design movement within the disability services sector. This is why. Co-design is big in the world of disability services, having been identified by…
Imagine being released from custody without the comfort of family or friends to welcome you, no place to call home, and no idea how to navigate the world outside. This…
At Feros Care, we believe that when people work together, amazing things can happen. And that’s exactly what we’re seeing in our Disability Employment Workshops in the Australian Capital Territory….
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 43% of Australians aged 16-85 have experienced a mental illness in their lifetime. Despite this high prevalence, mental illness remains heavily…
Raffy Sgroi’s life has been one driven by an unwavering passion for community engagement and the pursuit of meaningful change in our world. While Raffy has always been dedicated to…