Sarah Knows Support Workers

Thinking of going from solo support worker to running your own business? This episode is for the support workers who are amazing on shift but are starting to ask, “Could I actually turn this into something bigger?” We’re talking about the jump from doing the work to building something that can actually grow. Clients, boundaries, systems, pricing, confidence, admin, and the part no one likes to say...

Most people think buying an NDIS business is just a matter of snapping up a shiny registration online—big mistake. Sarah dives into why that "easy buy" is a dangerous illusion and how rushing in without proper checks can threaten your reputation, your finances, and most importantly, the people you support. This isn’t a quick flip like selling burgers or clothes—you're stepping into a...

The new NDIS Annual Pricing Review is 186 pages long… and respectfully, most support workers do not have time to read it front to back unless they have lost a bet. In this solo episode, Sarah breaks down the key pages support workers, independent support workers and sole traders should read — in order — to understand what the NDIS is proposing, why it matters and what could change before January 2...

In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers , Sarah chats with Matt Sevier , Founder and Director of Steppr , a Positive Behaviour Support provider based in WA. Matt shares how his own lived experience, time as a support worker, and work as a behaviour support practitioner shaped the way he sees the NDIS, PBS, families, and support teams. We talk about what Positive Behaviour Support actually m...

NDIS providers, support worker businesses and independents, this one is for you. In this solo episode, I’m talking about why social media in 2026 needs to be more than copied Canva posts and “we’re hiring” tiles. Instagram and TikTok are where many support workers are scrolling. YouTube is where you can build a trust library with deeper content. LinkedIn is where business-to-business relationships...

In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers , Sarah chats with Traidy , founder of Chosen Family , about support work, advocacy, inclusion, and what it really means to create a place where people feel safe, seen, and supported. Traidy shares how he went from law, ministry, and community work into support work, and how one unexpected shift helped lead to the creation of Chosen Family. This conve...

In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers , I chat with Umberine Williams , founder of SIL Match , about her journey through the disability sector and why she created a platform to help people find better supported living matches. Umberine shares her background as a Local Area Coordinator , her volunteer work with the Office of the Public Advocate , and what she learned from seeing supported...

In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers , I sit down with Hayley Thiele, CEO of Kindship, for a real and honest chat about NDIS changes, plan management, parenting, support workers, and what families are feeling right now. Hayley shares her story as a mum of three, her journey into the disability sector, and how her lived experience led her into support coordination and now Kindship. We tal...

She Was Denied an iPad at School — Now Keeley’s Cause Has Helped 691 Kids With Autism In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers , Sarah chats with Sharon from Keeley’s Cause about the powerful story behind the charity changing lives through iPads, communication, and inclusive education. Keeley struggled through school, bullying, and being denied the technology that could have supported her le...

We made it to 100 episodes of Sarah Knows Support Workers — and honestly, I don’t think I realised how big that was until now. This podcast started with no fancy business plan, no perfect strategy, and no big production team behind it. It started because I genuinely enjoy talking to people in the NDIS, disability and aged care sector . I love hearing how people got started, what they have learned,...

In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers , Sarah chats with Stevie-Lee Molina , founder and director of Pure Living Accommodation and Care , about what quality support can really look like in the NDIS. Stevie-Lee shares her journey from support work, crisis work and child protection into building a registered NDIS business that provides SIL, respite, community access and skill-building suppo...

In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers , Sarah sits down with Em Hoskin from Your Best Support to talk about what real, person-centred NDIS support actually looks like. Em shares how she went from support worker and support coordinator to building a registered NDIS provider during COVID, and why consistency, communication, and getting in the thick of support work still matters. This conver...

What’s really happening with the NDIS right now… and what does it actually mean for support workers, providers, and participants? In this episode, I join Jackie for a real, unfiltered conversation about the latest NDIS changes, funding cuts, and the growing uncertainty across the sector. We break down: • What the recent NDIS announcements actually mean (without the fear-mongering) • The truth abou...

In this episode, Sarah sits down with Peter Willis , CEO of HireUp , to talk about leadership, support workers, provider growth, and the future of disability care in Australia. Peter shares his journey from consulting and public policy into the disability sector, how he worked his way through HireUp into the CEO role, and what it takes to lead one of Australia’s best-known support platforms. This...

Not all support workers are the same. Some turn up… and some actually show up. In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers , Sarah talks about the real difference between average support and life-changing support. This isn’t about ticking boxes or following routines — it’s about being present, getting curious, and actually caring about the person in front of you. We cover: Turning up vs showing...

What should a support worker do when an NDIS participant says no to their support plan? In this episode, Sarah breaks down why participants say no, what support workers often get wrong, and how to respond in a way that respects choice and control while still doing your job well. She covers person-centred care, support plan flexibility, documentation, shift notes, patterns of refusal, when to invol...

In this episode, Sarah sits down with Cody Thompson , co-founder of Disability Events Community (DEC) and Aged Care Events Community (ACEC) — two fast-growing platforms connecting NDIS participants, aged care participants, providers, and support workers across Australia . From humble beginnings in Perth to hosting events across Australia, Cody shares how local community events are transforming how...

NDIS families across Australia are struggling to coordinate care, manage communication, and keep everyone informed. When Lisa Thomson couldn’t find a solution, she built one. In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers , Sarah sits down with Lisa Thomson, founder of Harmonies Home Health Hub, to explore how technology is transforming home care, aged care, and disability support across Australia...

NDIS providers across Australia often fear audits — but what if audits became your biggest business advantage? In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers , Sarah speaks with Keturah from Quality HQ about building strong compliance systems that actually support providers, support workers, and participants. This episode is essential for NDIS providers, business owners, and quality managers. • Wh...

Support worker burnout is one of the biggest issues in Australia's NDIS sector — and it's impacting participants, providers, and the workforce. In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers , Sarah shares real insights from 15+ years in the disability sector. • Signs of support worker burnout • Why isolation is common in 1:1 supports • How burnout impacts participants • What providers sho...

NDIS providers across Australia are trying to grow — but many are doing it backwards. In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers , Sarah speaks with Solomon about building authentic relationships, personal branding, and growing your NDIS business. • How relationships grow NDIS businesses • Personal branding for support workers • Ethical storytelling in disability • Building trust with families...

The right products can restore dignity for NDIS participants — but many support workers don’t know what's available. In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers , Sarah speaks with Bec Parry about adaptive clothing, disability products, and improving daily life for participants. • Adaptive clothing for disability support • Continence products and dignity • Product recommendations for suppor...

Many NDIS providers across Australia struggle to grow — not because their services are poor, but because their marketing isn’t working. In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers , Sarah sits down with Chris Lapa to break down what actually works when growing an NDIS business in Australia. This episode is for NDIS providers, support workers, and disability business owners wanting to attract mo...

Two NDIS participants. Same funding. Same hours. Completely different outcomes. The difference? The support worker. In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers , Sarah shares why matching the right support worker is one of the most important decisions in disability support. • Why matching matters in disability care • How poor matching impacts participants • What choice and control really means...

Supporting young people with disability requires trauma-informed care, leadership, and strong support worker teams. In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers , Sarah sits down with Yosmerys Aparicio Cuencas to discuss youth mentoring and building an NDIS business. • Trauma-informed support for young people • Building youth mentoring programs • From support worker to CEO • Supporting complex b...