r/NDIS_Providers

There’s the obvious certificate III in individual support but what about if they have certificates like community services instead of that?

I was accepted to both an OT and SLP grad program and am trying to decide between the two.

With changes coming to the NDIS, which field do you recommend for job security, long term stability, and just overall career outlook and options? And which is best for working with kids/has more opportunities to work with kids?

I am afraid of job saturation when I graduate in 2028, and don’t want to graduate with limited job opportunities. I primarily want to work with kids so job availability in that realm is also important.

My weekend has been utterly ruined by my support worker because they cancelled their shift last minute because I set the hard boundary that I'm not interested in being taken advantage of. I've worked with them for awhile now and finally built up the trust in them to say "hey, you don't really know anything about me or my needs." and try to schedule a meeting with them to go over all this as well as discussing increased shifts and responsibilities. They said no, you need to book me to have this conversation. I rejected that and was like "that's fine then. It's not a requirement for the shift, it's just something nice to have". Then they freaked out saying they need to cancel the shift because I didn't respond to them in regards to the meeting by 2am this morning (no idea why they message me so late at night and expect response) because apparently they need to have a paid meeting to take the shift? Like sure get paid for your time and everything but they should pay me for my time also because I gain nothing from this meeting... I give my time, my limited emotional capacity to try and make my support worker's life easier and they feel like they're the ones taken advantage of... fuck you. Now I'll be going a few weeks without getting my support needs met because I just don't have the time to look for a new support worker...

You might be saying "but that's your support coordinators job" and that's fair but I literally just terminated my relationship (WITW?) with my previous support coordinator because I felt like their work ethic was just "be the worst/laziest possible support coordinator possible so that when your clients contact you to ask "wtf is going on?", you can charge them for that! It's a infinite money loop!" which the support coordinator tried to invoice for 15 minutes work because I emailed them declaring that I wish to end services with them. "Yeah ok sure, I'm happy to end services with you. That'll be $32 thanks." WHAT FOR??? "For agreeing with your request to end services. Now you owe me $64 for both of these emails." Fuck you. Your invoices are denied and you can sue me for it.

I've had enough of this. I feel like a cash cow to service providers and no one wants to deserve their pay.

I honestly wish services providers got paid so much less than what they do just to deter all the scumbags from the industry. Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah I'm already aware of all the caveats and cons to that idea, you don't need to tell me once. But something needs to change. Getting paid over $100/hr just to stall someone, likely a vulnerable person on the phone for as long as possible. "Hey client, let me go on a somewhat related tangent and try to provoke you into staying on the line for as long as possible. Just don't hang up before 60 minutes because then I'll only get paid for 60 minutes and not 75 minutes if I can somehow manage to get you on the phone for 61 minutes." As soon as I was made aware this is how much and how support coordinators got paid, I noticed that they would always try to extend the call when I'm saying "yeah no I'll talk to you later" at the 13 minute mark. It got so bad that I just hang up on them abruptly at like 14:50. Fuck you. And yes, support workers also get paid way too much. Why would anyone work a minimum wage job when they can earn double, almost triple that for minimum effort? If it was at least on par with other jobs then they could choose the industry they're more passionate about.

I really don't know what the best solution to this would be but what we have now is not even close to it. The only good experience I've had has been with my plan manager who get paid in an entirely different way (this is how I thought SCs got paid at first actually until my PM explained how both SC and PM get paid).

And this isn't the only issue really. There's just a ton of issues especially in regards to grey areas. Like who should pay for outings etc where that's entirely dependent on what the client and SW agree to. Clients can't really afford to pay for themselves and their SW, not everyone is entitled to a companion card and not every organisation accepts companion cards... so when my SW says that I have to pay for them, I say that's ok, you just won't get that shift, only for them to try and manipulate me into giving them that shift anyway. Fuck you, no means no. You don't want to pay $20 for a movie ticket to do nothing but drive me to the cinema and watch a movie with me during a time where you don't have any other shifts lined up and get paid like $180+ for it??? That's the easiest $160 profit I've ever seen someone reject lmao. Which actually, they end up losing more money by not spending the $20 because they end up getting less shifts in the end.

I've even had SW take phone calls with their company in the middle of their shift because they forgot to finish paperwork before working with me, then expect me to pay them the extra 15 minutes only for the company to be on their side and say "but the paperwork is to support you". Go fuck yourself big dumb company, I'm not approving this invoice until you fix the start and end time so that the phone call is not included and you can sue me for that.

For an industry that's goal is to support less fortunate people in need, there sure seems to be a massive lack of empathy.

/rant

Hello community. Not sure if this is the right sub for this question. As a participant.

I've been having trouble with my current meal provider who has now started ignoring my communication around orders. They have had issues over the last two years as well around things like billing, delivery instructions and orders etc.

Im looking for a new provider and any recommendations for a group supported by the NDIS who delivers in the ACT would be good. Quick sign up and admin. Seeking one that doesn't take days to respond or half a day to coordinate would be great.

Thanks!

Experienced Support Coordinators – interested in working more independently?
COSupports is looking to connect with experienced SCs who want to build their own caseload and work more independently, without having to set up all the systems, compliance and admin from scratch.
COSupports is a registered NDIS provider specialising only in Support Coordination and Specialist Support Coordination.
The idea is simple:
You build and manage your own caseload. COSupports provides the backend support.
This can include:
• NDIS registration for SC/SSC
• CRM access
• Your own @cosupports.com.au email
• Compliance, policies and templates
• Participant onboarding and service agreements
• Invoicing and admin support
• Leave coverage for participant matters while you’re away, within reason
• Ongoing support when needed
A lot of subcontracting arrangements mainly provide access to registration and leave the rest to you. I’m looking to offer something a bit more supported, while still giving SCs the freedom to manage their own clients, diary and workload.
With the future of Support Coordination still uncertain, setting up your own registered provider may not be something everyone wants to take on.
This is aimed at SCs who want more independence without having to build the entire backend of a provider themselves.
Minimum 12 months Support Coordination experience required. I’m only looking to hear from experienced SCs who are confident managing their own participants and maintaining a high standard of practice.
If you’ve been thinking about stepping out on your own, send me a message or email brandon@cosupports.com.au and I can give you some more information.
www.cosupports.com.au

I'm on shift with another support worker for 2 hours while she is there for 6 hours. During that time, she's consistently on her laptop doing personal uni coursework, then switches to her phone with an AirPod in and then later watching videos or taking personal calls. When I arrive at 6pm, her laptop is already open and she's mid-typing, which suggests she's been on it since earlier in her shift, but I can only confirm what I see from 6–8pm myself.

I've also noticed her give medication to the client directly when the client is capable of taking it herself, and I've seen her k*ss the client on the forehead many times before leaving the shift.

While shes on the computer doing all of that, i am the one who is actually engaged with the client. We mainly watch tv with the client as thats what her main activity is, and this support worker does do her other duties correctly such as making dinner for the client. However this behaviour is making me upset especially when i come to the shift and see this.

I'm reaching out to see if there are any support coordinators or providers who would be willing to mentor an aspiring support coordinator or offer relevant work experience.

I have 3 years of experience as a disability support worker, have a cert 3 in business admin (2021), and I'm currently studying the diploma of community services (case management). I've also completed DSC's entry-level intensive support coordination training and am committed to continuing to build my knowledge and skills.

I'm hoping to transition into support coordination and client services, and I'm looking for opportunities to learn from experienced professionals, whether that's through mentoring, shadowing, or an entry-level role.

I'm based in Adelaide's north-eastern suburbs but am happy to travel or work online for the right opportunity.

If you know of any providers looking to support someone who's eager to learn, I'd really appreciate hearing from you.

Thank you!