Building inclusive leadership and governance pathways
The Barkuma Board Observership Program supports people with disability to develop governance skills, understand how boards operate, and contribute lived experience to decision-making within the disability sector. Through structured training, mentoring and participation in Board Subcommittee meetings, the program provides a supported pathway into leadership and governance, while strengthening the role of customer voice at the highest levels of organisational decision-making.
Why the Board Observership Program exists
People with disability continue to face barriers to employment, leadership and participation in governance. Nationally, labour force participation remains significantly lower for people with disability, and representation in Boardrooms is even more limited.
Barkuma has a long history of supporting people with disability into meaningful employment and career progression. The Board Observership Program builds on this work by creating opportunities for people with disability to develop leadership and governance capability in a supported, real-world setting.
The program aims to:
- Create leadership and governance pathways for people with disability
- Increase representation of lived experience in Boardrooms
- Strengthen customer voice in strategic decision-making
- Build confidence, networks and future career direction
What is the Board Observership Program?
The Board Observership Program provides people with disability the opportunity to participate as non-voting observers on a Barkuma Board Subcommittee.
Observers gain firsthand exposure to how governance works in practice, including how strategic decisions are made, how risk and compliance are managed, and how complex issues are discussed at Board level. Observers contribute perspectives informed by lived experience, supporting deeper understanding of customer priorities and emerging issues.
What Board Observers learn
Through participation in meetings, training and mentoring, observers develop practical governance and leadership skills, including:
- Understanding Board roles, responsibilities and accountability
- Reading and interpreting Board papers
- Understanding risk, safeguarding and compliance
- Observing how complex decisions are explored and resolved
- Applying lived experience to strategic conversations
- Understanding confidentiality, ethics and professional conduct
Previous observers describe gaining a deeper appreciation of how organisations must adapt to change, balance competing priorities, and make informed decisions in a complex regulatory environment.
Program overview
The Barkuma Board Observership Program runs for 12 months, commencing then completing in February in each year. The program includes:
- Attendance and participation in Board Subcommittee meetings
- Self-paced governance training through BoardWise
- One-to-one mentoring with senior leaders
- Opportunities to learn from staff across Barkuma
- Evaluation and reflection at the conclusion of the program
Meeting attendance and participation
Observers attend meetings of the Safety, Safeguarding, Quality and Risk Subcommittee, held approximately every eight weeks.
Observers:
- Attend meetings either in person or remotely, depending on accessibility needs
- Observe how risk is assessed and decisions are made
- Participate in discussions where invited
- Contribute insights informed by lived experience
Observers are not voting members of the Subcommittee.
Governance training and mentoring
Observers receive full access to BoardWise, a self-paced online governance training platform covering topics such as:
- Board roles and responsibilities
- Risk and compliance
- Ethical and legal responsibilities
- Understanding Board papers
- Confidentiality and conflicts of interest
Throughout the program, observers are supported through one-to-one mentoring from the Chairperson, CEO and other Executive or Board members. Mentoring supports understanding of Board processes, preparation for meetings, and applying learning to individual career goals. Observers may also request opportunities to meet staff across Barkuma to gain a broader understanding of the organisation’s services and impact.
Responsibilities and expectations
Before commencing the program, observers sign an agreement outlining their rights and responsibilities. These include:
- Maintaining confidentiality at all times
- Preparing for meetings by reading Board papers
- Attending meetings and communicating proactively
- Completing governance training modules
- Participating respectfully in discussions
Observers are responsible to the CEO for the duration of the program and are supported by Barkuma’s Governance and Corporate Services teams.
Time commitment
The program is designed to be achievable alongside work or study. The approximate commitment includes:
- 1–2 hours per week for reading, training or reflection
- Subcommittee meetings every eight weeks (typically 1.5–2 hours)
- Additional time for mentoring catch-ups as required
- Quarterly check-ins with the CEO or primary mentor
Program evaluation
At the conclusion of the 12-month program, observers and Subcommittee members complete a short evaluation to provide feedback on:
- Learning outcomes
- Contribution to Board processes
- Program strengths
- Opportunities for improvement
This feedback helps refine the Observership Program for future participants.
How to become a Board Observer
Expressions of Interest for the Barkuma Board Observership Program open in December each year. People with disability who are curious about how organisations are governed, interested in leadership, and passionate about strengthening the disability sector are encouraged to apply.
Program summary
- Duration: 12 months
- Commencement: February yearly
- Subcommittee: Safety, Safeguarding, Quality and Risk
- Status: Non-voting Board Observer
- Training: BoardWise governance modules
- Mentoring: Chairperson, CEO and Executive team
- Purpose: Build leadership capability and increase representation of people with disability in governance roles