The Customised Employment (CE) Quality Assurance Framework© is a unique amalgamation of international best practice standards, designed to ensure the delivery of high-quality, person-centred customised employment support. Developed by CDERP and international research partners, it is grounded in the ACRE competencies for practitioners, the CEOFECT© organisational fidelity tool, and the Discovery Experience Reflection Scale (DERS)©. This integrated framework stands out in its ability to support providers, practitioners, and policymakers in ensuring effective, sustainable employment outcomes for people with disability.
Customised Employment is a flexible and individualised approach to employment that recognises every person’s capacity to work. It requires a departure from traditional employment services toward practices that build on each individual’s interests, strengths, and needs. With increasing global attention on rights-based approaches to employment (as reflected in Article 27 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Sustainable Development Goal 8), the need for quality frameworks to guide implementation is both timely and essential.
This framework also aligns strongly with the principles and practice expectations of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Its focus on person-centred planning, participant choice and control, and measurable employment outcomes ensures it is well-suited to providers operating within the NDIS ecosystem. By embedding quality and accountability in Discovery and employment support services, the framework enhances compliance with NDIS Practice Standards and elevates service delivery to meet participant goals in line with NDIS funding objectives.
Foundational Principles
The following principles underpin this framework:
Domains of Quality
The Customised Employment Quality Assurance Framework (CEQAF) is organised into three primary domains: organisational readiness and support, practitioner competence, and fidelity to the Discovery process.
A. Organisational Readiness and Support (CEOFECT)©
The CEOFECT (Customised Employment Organisational Fidelity and Effectiveness Checklist Tool) provides the structure for evaluating organisational capacity to implement CE with fidelity. Key indicators include:
B. Practitioner Competence (ACRE Competencies)
Practitioners play a central role in delivering CE with fidelity. Working with ACRE (Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators), CDERP developed training that recognises Australia’s unique setting and systems. These externally validated competencies provide a foundation for practitioner capability, encompassing:
C. Reflection and Experience of Discovery (Discovery Experience Reflection Scale – DERS) ©
The Discovery Experience Reflection Scale (DERS) © is a client-focused tool that captures how the Discovery process is experienced by the person with disability and those supporting them. Unlike traditional fidelity measures that assess practitioner compliance with process steps, the DERS offers a structured way to understand the emotional, relational, and participatory quality of the Discovery journey from the perspective of the individual.
This reflective tool ensures that Discovery is not only implemented correctly but also felt as authentic, inclusive, and personally meaningful. The scale supports continuous improvement by highlighting how individuals experience each stage of Discovery, with particular attention to whether the process fosters trust, insight, and a clear sense of personal direction.
Key elements of the DERS include:
By centring the lived experience of Discovery participants, the DERS encourages services to uphold the values of choice, dignity, and purpose. It invites continuous reflection on whether Discovery is more than a process, it is a transformative experience for the individual.
Implementation Components
The framework supports a systematic approach to CE implementation, broken into key components:
Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement
To support quality practice, the framework promotes a cycle of evaluation, reflection, and improvement:
These activities provide critical data and accountability in line with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission’s expectations for outcome focused, participant led service delivery.
Governance and Accountability
The framework encourages transparent reporting and accountability through:
Continuous Improvement Cycle
Quality in Customised Employment is an evolving practice. This framework supports:
Conclusion
The Customised Employment Quality Assurance Framework (CEQAF) offers an integrated model that aligns practitioner competence (ACRE), organisational fidelity (CEOFECT), and participant experience (DERS) to deliver Customised Employment with integrity and effectiveness.
As service systems transition toward rights based, person driven models, this framework provides a practical, evidence informed pathway to embed quality into CE practice. Whether working within NDIS, DES, ILC, or other contexts, CEQAF affirms that quality and fidelity are continuous pursuits, essential to achieving equitable employment for all. Its alignment with the NDIS reinforces the role of Customised Employment as a legitimate and fundable pathway to meaningful employment outcomes for participants.
Quality Framework Inquiry Form