Supporting people affected by the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (Disability Royal Commission)
The Disability Royal Commission
The Disability Royal Commission was established on 4 April 2019 and will run for three years. It will look at ways to protect people with disability from experiencing violence, abuse neglect and exploitation. To find out more about the Commission visit the Disability Royal Commission's website.
Counselling support and referrals
Blue Knot Foundation has established a specialist service to provide counselling support and referrals for people with disability, their families and carers, and anyone affected by the Disability Royal Commission.
This service operates from
- 9am-6pm AEST Mon-Fri and
- 9am-5pm AEST Sat, Sun and public holidays.
How to contact the National Counselling and Referral Service (NCRS) supporting the Disability Royal Commission
There are a number of different ways you can contact NCRS depending on your accessibility requirements, and the type of service you require.
Telephone: Contact 1800 421 468 or 02 6146 1468 to speak with one of our counsellors for short term counselling support and referrals.
Video Conference (VC): VC is available to clients who have specific restrictions around their ability to contact our counsellors via telephone. Please connect with us first via email at ncrscounsellors@blueknot.org.au or by calling us yourself or with a support person on 1800 421 468 AEDT to discuss accessing this service. This service is only available for a single session with a focus on linking you with local and ongoing supports.
Webchat (WC): Webchat is available for clients who require support, information or referrals. Webchat is found at the bottom right of the screen on this webpage. It is not available for counselling support. Please refer to the Webchat Terms and Conditions for further information should you choose to use this service.
SMS: SMS is available to clients who require support, information or referrals. SMS contact 0451 266 601. It is not available for counselling support.
This is a separate service from the
Blue Knot Helpline which provides counselling, support, information and for support around the National Redress Scheme
If in crisis, in need of immediate support or concerned for your safety:
Call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
If you are currently experiencing any form of violence or abuse, or are concerned for your safety, call 000.
Who the service is for:
- people with disabilities who have experienced violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation anywhere
- parents, guardians, other family members of a person with disability
- carers of a person with a disability
- advocates for people with a disability
- service providers or agencies working with people with a disability
- employers or colleagues of a person with disability
What the service provides:
- professional short-term counselling and support
- a gateway to frontline counselling services
- warm transfers to and from the Royal Commission, advocacy and legal support services
- information and referrals about other useful services
- psychoeducation
What you can expect when you call the National Counselling and Referral Service:
- Our counsellors are here to listen and support you
- Everyone’s experience of trauma is different, and everyone has different needs
- Our counsellors focus on your needs when you call
- We try to answer each call when it rings and usually do
- Sometimes we won’t be able to answer straight away and will need to put you on hold
- When you are on hold we will tell you where you are up to in the queue
- If you have been in the queue for a while, you can ask us to call you back without losing your position in the queue
- We won’t call you back unless you give us permission to do so
Accessibility
If you find it difficult to hear or speak you can contact us through the National Relay Service (NRS). Please phone 133 677.
If you find if challenging to use the telephone, you can contact the National Counselling and Referral Service supporting the Disability Royal Commission using video conferencing. To do so please connect with us first via email at ncrscounsellors@blueknot.org.au or by calling us yourself or with a support person on 1800 421 468 AEDT to discuss accessing this service.
If you require support in another language you can use the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) free of charge by:
- Calling the National Counselling and Referral Service and asking for an interpreter. The counsellor will make the arrangements, or
- Calling TIS on 131 450 and asking to be connected to National Counselling and Referral Service on 1800 421 468
Download the Easy Read fact sheet here