LEAD Professional Development Association Inc.

03/09/2026

The Safer Communities Network (SCN) members came together for our quarterly Professional Development session on Communication Skills for Confrontational or Aggressive Situations, bringing together representatives from most partner organisations across the Safer Communities Network to strengthen how we de-escalate confrontation in the diverse settings we work in every day.

The session combined the trauma-informed neuroscience of aggression with hands-on, small-group practice, working through real-world conflict scenarios and unpacking how language, culture, trauma and neurodivergence can shape the way aggression shows up, so network members leave with practical, ready-to-use tools.

✅ There was unanimous consensus from workshop participants that the skills and strategies learnt during the session improved their knowledge and confidence in applying these approaches with their clients.

We acknowledge the support of the Paul Ramsay Foundation (PRF), whose investment in strengthening community networks across Mt Druitt is helping build the capacity, connections and collective capability of local organisations. Through supporting place-based collaboration and leadership, PRF is enabling services to work together more effectively to achieve stronger outcomes for children, young people and families in the community.

A huge thank you to everyone who took part and brought their experience, honesty and energy to the room. This is what a genuinely connected network looks like in action.

These professional development opportunities are strengthening collaboration across the Safer Communities Network.

03/09/2026

This Learning Circle is an opportunity for the workforce supporting children, young people, families and communities to come together in a facilitated conversation about the sector’s experiences with the new Coercive Control legislation. As is always the case, please come prepared to discuss examples of how the legislation has impacted the communities with whom you work and how local agencies can work together to wrap services around the individuals and families we support.

𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘯’𝘵 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘭𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘭𝘺, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘌𝘈𝘋 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴.

If you have missed any of the in-person workplace-based sessions, please join us for this online session.

Register Here ➡️https://shorturl.at/n4aHy

02/09/2026

AI is fast becoming part of everyday practice, but its use in the for-purpose sector raises real risks around client privacy, embedded bias and the erosion of relational, culturally safe practice if it is used without risk assessment and skills. This workshop builds the confidence, professional judgement and ethical capability practitioners need to use AI safely and in alignment with sector values, including dignity, equity, cultural safety and trauma-informed practice.

𝙉𝙤𝙩𝙚: 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘱 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘷𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘈𝘐 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘴, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦, 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴.

Join us in person by registering today, with an online access link also available➡️ https://shorturl.at/8vAXo

20/08/2026

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴, 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲?

In our latest LEAD Member Spotlight, our CEO, Sharmily Mukherjee, sat down with Rumbi Mabambe, Executive Director of Chain Reaction Foundation, to discuss the organisation's vision, the impact it's making across communities, and its commitment to empowering young people to thrive.

A key theme throughout the conversation was the power of partnership. Lasting impact doesn't happen in isolation. It happens when organisations, communities, educators and employers come together with a shared commitment to supporting people to reach their full potential.

We were particularly inspired by Learning Ground, Chain Reaction Foundation's innovative initiative built around the principles of Person, Place and Purpose. Through this work, young people are supported to develop confidence, strengthen connections, find their place in the community and build pathways towards meaningful futures.

It was also fantastic to hear from the team behind the scenes, whose passion and dedication shine through in everything they do. Their commitment to supporting young people was evident in every story shared.

One of the highlights for us was hearing that LEAD Professional Development Association Inc. is seen as more than just a training provider. We were proud to hear staff describe LEAD as part of their team and a trusted partner in learning and growth. That's exactly the kind of relationship we strive to build, working alongside organisations to develop people, strengthen capability and create lasting outcomes.

We're proud to partner with organisations like Chain Reaction Foundation, whose work is changing lives and strengthening communities every day.

A big thank you to Rumbi and the entire Chain Reaction Foundation team for sharing their story and the incredible work they do.

When young people are given the opportunity, support and sense of belonging they deserve, remarkable things can happen.

What does it take to help young people truly belong, grow and thriv...

12/08/2026

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗷𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀! 👖

The LEAD PDA team recently traded our usual workwear for denim in support of Jeans for Genes Day. Joining communities across Australia in raising awareness and supporting children and families impacted by genetic disorders.

While our jeans made for a fun team photo, the cause behind them is what truly matters.

Did you know? 1 in 20 children are born with a birth defect or genetic disease, including conditions such as cancer, cystic fibrosis and life-threatening metabolic disorders. That’s 12 children born every minute worldwide!

By wearing our jeans, we’re helping shine a light on the importance of research, support and creating brighter futures for children living with genetic conditions.

At LEAD PDA, we’re proud to come together as a team to support initiatives that raise awareness, strengthen communities and contribute to meaningful change.

For information about the cause ➡️ https://fundraise.jeansforgenes.org.au/

11/08/2026

𝗖𝗘𝗢 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲
𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸, 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘣𝘦?

This was one of the questions we asked in LEAD's recent Workforce Professional Development & Wellbeing Needs Survey. The responses were both powerful and revealing...... 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲

https://mailchi.mp/750ee48b38ea/leaders-digest-august-13733932

04/08/2026

LEAD Professional Development Association Inc. proudly acknowledges 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆 2026.

This year's theme, 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵, celebrates the voices, stories and knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities. It recognises the importance of truth-telling, cultural identity and the intergenerational sharing of knowledge that strengthens children, families and communities.

As a sector committed to supporting children and families, we recognise the vital role that culture, connection and community play in helping every child thrive. We also acknowledge the leadership of Elders and the strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in nurturing the next generation of confident and proud young people.

This is an opportunity for all of us to listen and learn and to celebrate the resilience, potential and cultural richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. As we recognise and honour the world's oldest continuing cultures, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting culturally safe and inclusive communities where every child can thrive and be proud of who they are.

04/08/2026

04/08/2026

Join us for our next LEADers Lab! A collaborative space for sector leaders to connect, learn and strengthen governance and leadership practice.

The next session topic is 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗦𝗹𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗔𝗙𝗦 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀. Modern slavery remains a hidden but persistent issue in Australia. Despite growing awareness and stronger legal frameworks, over 1,900 people in Australia are victims of modern slavery, yet only 1 in 5 victims are ever detected.

This LEADers Lab is designed for for-purpose leaders and staff who want to move beyond awareness and take practical steps to embed modern slavery safeguards into how their organisation operates, in the same way CAFS services are expected to embed cultural safety, accessibility and referral pathways into everyday practice.

𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: Tuesday, 11 Aug 2026
𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲: 10.00 am - 11.30 am
𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Online

𝙁𝙍𝙀𝙀 for practitioners working in positions funded by the Community and Family Support (CAFS) Program in Western Sydney Nepean Blue Mountains (WSNBM).
𝙁𝙍𝙀𝙀 for LEAD Members
Non-members: $60.00 +GST

𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 ➡️https://shorturl.at/KL9yf

23/07/2026

On the 1st July this year, the new Coercive Control legislation will have been in use for 2 years. Given the legislation wasn’t retrospective, it’s taken some time to see its impact. In the first year of the legislation, NSW Police recorded 297 instances of coercive control however only 9 charges were laid. Of those 9; 1 resulted in a conviction, 2 charges were withdrawn and 6 matters remained before the courts. As those in the community sector know, investigating and prosecuting Coercive Control is challenging.

The Learning Circles are an opportunity for the workforce supporting children, young people, families and communities to come together in facilitated conversations about the sector’s experiences with the new legislation. As is always the case, please come prepared to discuss examples of how the legislation has impacted the communities with whom you work and how local agencies can work together to wrap services around the individuals and families we support.

For those who haven’t attended a Learning Circle previously, the LEAD team will present information and prepare case scenarios for small group discussions.

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂!
5 August | Cumberland/Parramatta - https://ams.leadpda.org.au/_events.registration/step1/eventid/40786
19 August | Blacktown/The Hills - https://ams.leadpda.org.au/_events.registration/step1/eventid/40787
2 September | Penrith/Hawkesbury - https://ams.leadpda.org.au/_events.registration/step1/eventid/40788
9 September | Blue Mountains/Lithgow - https://ams.leadpda.org.au/_events.registration/step1/eventid/40789