Empowering Our Clients to Stay Safe Through Alternative Communication
At Scope, we believe every person should have the chance to be heard, especially when it comes to their own care, comfort, and safety.
This week, Zane McKenzie hosted our first online forum for the family and supporters of Scope clients. He was joined by Kate MacRae, CEO; Lisa Evans, Chief Operating Officer; and Nicole Standfield to answer their questions and share what’s happening across Scope, the disability landscape, and how it may impact them and their loved ones, our Scope clients.
Topics of conversation included the recommendations of the Mitchell Review, an independent review of a historical case involving client abuse by Scope employees, and our progress against those recommendations, including the introduction of the Client Participation model, Stand Up and Be Safe training, and the delivery of the CX (Client Experience) Tracker across our services to provide regular feedback from our clients.
Robert Moore, Senior Manager Government Relations, pre-recorded a video on the NDIS and Disability Landscape, a direct response to the questions of many families and supporters in light of recent government changes and a shifting landscape.
Lisa and Nicole discussed how Scope as an organisation continues to evolve, particularly how we are progressing on our journey to combine Scope, Home@Scope, and DSA to align our ways of working and tools, enabling us to deliver services in a quality and repeatable manner across Scope.
This was followed by a Q&A session, during which we addressed questions ranging from the progress of Person-Centred Active Support at Scope to the screening processes for our people, concerns around funding and the NDIS, participation in client feedback for clients who use different communication methods such as talking, reading, or writing, and transport options for SIL clients.
One participant provided the following feedback on the forum: “Tonight's forum was truly enlightening, particularly as it addressed critically important issues 'with the gloves off'... Scope's Supporter Circle is a definite win, and most appreciated"
This forum is part of our new initiative, The Supporter Circle communications program. It responds to feedback and requests for more information and transparency about Scope, the services available, and the disability sector and environment.
If you are a family member or a supporter of a Scope client and would like to join the Supporter Circle, send us an email to [email protected]
Media statement – Use of restrictive practices in Victoria
On Sunday 23 November 2025, The Sunday Age published a story titled “Intellectually disabled man unlawfully detained for 25 years” that mentioned the use of restrictive practices on a Scope client. The following statement was provided to The Age to inform the story.
Your voice matters: family and supporters survey coming in January
At Scope, we deeply value the perspectives of the people who love and care for our clients – their families and supporters. Your insights and lived experience help us deliver high quality services that truly meet the needs of the people we support.
