All you need is an undergraduate degree* in a relevant field, or professional experience in the disability sector to the satisfaction of the Programme Leader. Please check entry requirements before applying.

*If you have completed the Bachelor of Social Health and Wellbeing with Open Polytechnic you are unable to enrol in this programme.

What you will learn

When you graduate with this qualification you will be able to:

• Demonstrate leadership within the disability sector, which includes a commitment to best practice, on-going professional development, and effectively managing risk
• Demonstrate leadership within the community, which includes advocating for social justice and change; supporting inclusion, choice and control; and challenging stigma and discrimination
• Work collaboratively and communicate effectively in teams and across services in a disability and health and wellbeing context
• Critically evaluate information and apply appropriate models of health and wellbeing to inform innovative, evidence-based practice when working with disabled people
• Understand organisational budgeting, financial planning, service design and evaluation for the disability sector in the context of competing political, social and organisational demands.

Career opportunities

If you complete this qualification, you could work in a range of community and health service roles, including as a support manager or team leader, community manager, facilitator, service coordinator, public health manager, case manager, navigator, policy development lead, or advocate.

New Zealand Disability Support Network (NZDSN) scholarship opportunity

Open Polytechnic and NZDSN have established a scholarship for disability support providers and their staff wishing to complete the Graduate Diploma in Disability Sector Leadership. Please check out https://nzdsn.org.nz/training/ for more information and to apply.