u/littleone156

I’m a sole trading support worker who regularly works inactive sleepover shifts with one of my client. Being an inactive night I am allowed to sleep and my client will just call when they want to be readjusted in bed. This readjustment usually only takes around 5 minute but sometimes they can call out to be readjusted 5 or 6 times throughout the night so I end up getting very little sleep.

The SHADS award outlines that 2 hours of active support are included in the sleepover rate, however it doesn’t outline anything regarding the number of times support is required and sleep is disturbed.

I’m a bit unsure if my sleepovers are still considered ‘inactive’ if my client requires active support 6 times throughout the night, but that only totalling 30 or so minutes. I have called both the NDIS and Fairwork info line to try and get some clarification but both weren’t able to provide me a clear definitive answer.

Just hoping for some guidance from peers

Hello! With the July 1 registration changes coming up, I’m hoping to hear from other individual private support workers about their experiences with NDIS registration, particularly the certification audit process.

I’m a sole trader providing support directly to two participants (I have no staff or other workers). I’ve been supporting one participant for a year and the other for a year and a half. Both are full-time wheelchair users, and I provide a mix of personal care, daily living support, and sleepover assistance 3–5 nights per week between them.

I originally began working with both participants through Hireup, but after some time they each asked me to work privately because they preferred not to use the platform. We have fantastic working relationships, and most communication happens directly and informally. They tell me how they want their care provided, and I tailor my support accordingly. If there’s something they’d like done differently or improved, they simply discuss it with me and I make the necessary changes.

I have qualifications in community work and am currently halfway through a social work degree. However, because I work independently and provide highly individualised support, I don’t have formal written policies, procedures, complaints processes, or training modules like larger provider organisations do. Both participants personally trained me in how they wanted their support delivered, and I’ve learned their routines and preferences through working closely with them over time.

I’m feeling a little confused and overwhelmed about how the certification audit process applies to sole-trader support workers when so many of our systems and processes look very different from those of larger providers. I’m not even sure where to begin preparing.

I’d be incredibly grateful for any advice, experiences, or suggestions from others who have gone through the process. Kindness is always deeply appreciated.