Insights from an NDIS worker
Hey guys, its Em here back to give you another blog. For this blog i am here to give you some insight about NDIS Support coordination. I got the opportunity to interview a support coordinator. Everyone meet Sophie!
How did you find your way into this career?
I grew up with a close family friend, named Eddie, Eddie had an Intellectual disability. I was a toddler when Edie first came to our house.
When I was older, my mum explained how as a teenager Eddie was forced to live in an institution, they locked her in her room for most of the day. There she was aggressive and nearly nonverbal. Luckily in the 70’s (England) they started to close the institutions and she was moved to a group home, there she developed lifelong friends with fellow housemates and staff. She started cleaning for local families and earning a living. Later in her life she decided to move out on her own, got two cats and lived a very successful independent life. With the correct supports and greater choice over her life, Eddie thrived. She never once forgot anyone’s birthday and always sent a card. I think her story carved my career in the disability sector.
How long have you been a support coordinator for?
I’ve been a support coordinator for about 18 months with Futures in Sight. Previously I managed a disability service in Botany, here we offered free help to individuals and families with NDIS reviews.
What has been most rewarding about your job?
Most rewarding part of my job is building relationships with the families I work with; I learn lots from them. I also enjoy supporting people to breakdown their NDIS plans and make them work for the individual, everyone is different, so what they want, and need is different. Makes life more interesting.
What inspired you to be become a support coordinator and work in the disability sector?
I was on my maternity leave; my friend needed some help with his NDIS plan. I recommended him to Futures In Sight and whilst working with his support coordinator they suggested I might like to join the team. I liked the values of the business and was impressed by the quality of their work.
How do you find balancing being a mum and have a career?
It’s a struggle, especially in Covid Lockdowns. I am fortunate that I enjoy my role, have a supportive husband that works from home, great day care and when all that fails, amazing clients who understand if I have a screaming child in the background.
In your opinion, is the NDIS a successful scheme?
I think the NDIS, comes from great ideas and principles, It’s a wonderful piece of Social Policy. The management of the scheme has its issues, which I hope in years to come will be fairer, focus less on deficit and the constant need of reports. It’s a young scheme, so needs help developing in the right way and keeping the NDIA and the Government accountable to the original ideology, not turning it into another Centrelink.
I’d like to thank Sophie for letting me interview her and to get more of an understanding of what an NDIS support coordinator does.