Sarah Knows Support Workers

In this episode I sit down with Michelle Flynn , Growth & Marketing Manager at aryse ( https://aryse.com.au/ ) — a service doing great things in the disability space. Michelle unpacks what ethical, effective marketing really means in an industry where trust and connection matter more than slick ads. We get honest about: ✨ Why emotional, values-based messaging will always beat hype ✨ The diff...

Running a SIL service and feel like you’re constantly juggling rosters, funding, staff needs, and compliance… and still wondering if you’re getting it right? You’re not alone — and you’re not failing. In this episode, Sarah chats with Josh Pix from Resolv , a team that works alongside SIL providers across Australia to fix one of the biggest hidden problems in the sector: rostering and claiming tha...

I’m not great at elevator pitches — and honestly, I don’t want to be. I’m better at listening. Listening to why you do what you do. How you got here. And what actually matters to you. In this episode, I share the real story behind Support Worker Store — how it accidentally turned three years old, how it started while I was pregnant with my third child, and how it evolved from funny support-worker...

Support work can lead to leadership — and Joel Scott proves it. In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers , Sarah speaks with Joel Scott about career growth in Australia's disability sector. • Career growth in disability support • From support worker to leadership • Skills needed to grow • Leadership in disability services • Career pathways in NDIS 👉 Follow Joel Scott 👉 Subscribe to Sarah K...

What happens when people inside the NDIS get fed up with broken systems… and decide to build something better? In this episode, I’m joined by Ammar Kazi and Valentina Aushana , the founders of Australian Therapy Hub (ATH) — an all-in-one platform designed to make therapy simpler, fairer, and more human for NDIS participants, therapists, and families . We unpack: Why the current allied health syste...

We’re back for 2026 — and kicking off with a powerful conversation. In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers , Sarah sits down with James Bennett , Director of Evergreen Disability Care , to talk about what it really takes to build a disability business with integrity, long-term vision, and heart . James shares his journey from the corporate world into disability, shaped by lived experience...

What do you learn after 17 years in the disability sector ? In this episode, Sarah Heriot reflects on her journey through support work — from the early days to the major shifts in advocacy, choice, and independent living we see today. Sarah shares real, lived lessons from working directly with people with disability, watching the sector evolve, and learning what truly creates better outcomes. This...

Support work is changing — fast. In this episode, Sarah Heriot unpacks what it really means to thrive as a support worker in 2026 , not just survive the shifts in the NDIS. We talk about how expectations are evolving, why technology now plays a bigger role than ever, and how support workers can stay relevant, confident, and indispensable — without losing their values or burning out. This episode i...

Can ChatGPT actually help NDIS support workers — or is it something we should be wary of? In this episode, Sarah Heriot shares how she uses ChatGPT in everyday NDIS support work to plan meaningful activities, support goal-focused programs, and write clearer professional notes — without replacing the human side of support . With over 17 years in the disability sector, Sarah explains how AI can redu...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Tara Shekede , founder of Me Plus More — one of Australia’s leading online platforms supporting people with intellectual disability to build real independence , confidence and life skills. We talk about: • The real reason Me Plus More was created • Why easy read , accessible learning and clear language matter • Digital safety, scams and online risks for people w...

From Drama Teacher to Care Trainer — meet Yvette “Spaghetti” Salvaris! In this episode, Sarah from the Support Worker Store sits down with Yvette Salvaris , founder of Ethical Training Solutions , to talk about her wild career pivot from teaching drama to transforming the care and training sector . They dive into: 💬 How Ethical Training Solutions started (and what “ethical” really means) 💡 Why c...

From humble garage beginnings to becoming the go-to name in NDIS & aged-care payroll — meet Garth Belic , founder of PayCat 🐱💼 Sarah (aka the Brat) chats with Garth about how PayCat turned the pain of SCHADS payroll into a smooth, automated system that actually makes sense. In this ep, they cover: 💥 How PayCat was born in a garage (and built into a 30+-staff powerhouse) 💥 The truth about S...

If you’re tired of juggling apps, emails, and endless admin, this episode’s for you. Sarah sits down with Matt Cagney , CEO of ShiftCare , to unpack how his platform became the one-stop shop for disability and aged care providers across Australia. From client management and rostering to billing, compliance, and communication — ShiftCare’s doing it all (and doing it well). Matt shares his journey f...

In this episode, I sit down with Nicole Doherty , founder of Empowered Livability , who drops one of the realest lines you’ll ever hear in the NDIS sector: 👉 “If you’re going to be in this sector — don’t be a dickhead.” Nicole has over 25 years of experience in community services and has built Empowered Livability on one core value — treat people like people. We talk about: 🏠 Creating homes that...

The first few years of business? Brutal. 💀 But Cedar from MyAssista and Support Worker Store spill the truth: it’s the grind that builds the gold. In this episode, we talk about: 💬 The messy, unglamorous side of startup life 💡 Why “hustle” still matters when you’re building something from nothing 🧱 Learning skills you never thought you’d need (and wearing all the hats) 🔥 What keeps founders p...

With 19 years in the disability sector, Brett Sams has seen it all — from the overwhelming early days of community care to becoming a behavior support practitioner shaping workplace wellbeing. In this conversation, Brett shares how personal experiences influenced his career, why understanding behavior triggers is essential, and how collaborative support plans can change lives. We dive into the rea...

In this episode of Support Worker , Sarah chats with Belinda Toohey — a powerhouse in the disability sector. Belinda shares her journey from the early days of deinstitutionalization to creating Including You , a service built on social justice and advocacy. They dive into: How the NDIS changed disability support (for better and harder) Why choice and control matter for people with disability The r...

In this episode, we sit down with Connor Greene , a passionate support worker and ADHD advocate, to explore the realities of supporting neurodivergent children within the NDIS framework. Connor shares his journey from aged care to working with kids with ADHD and autism , unpacking the unpredictable nature of daily support work and the importance of communication, self-regulation, and education . W...

Mealtime support is one of the most common tasks in disability support — and one of the most misunderstood. In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers , Sarah speaks with Laura Appel about nutrition, feeding supports, and participant wellbeing. • Supporting nutrition in disability • Feeding support for NDIS participants • Mealtime planning • Complex feeding supports • Support worker training...

In this episode, Sarah from the Support Worker Store sits down with Amy and Aaron, the powerhouse duo behind Marco Polo Portal , to unpack their journey through entrepreneurship, disability accommodation, and the importance of neurodiversity in business. Together, they explore: ✨ How their partnership dynamics fuel innovation ✨ The role of feedback, mentorship, and AI in shaping their platform...

NDIS providers across Australia are struggling to retain staff — and it's impacting participant outcomes. In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers , Sarah speaks with Phil Hamilton about retaining support workers and improving workplace culture. • How to retain support workers • Building strong workplace culture • Leadership strategies in disability • Communication with support workers •...

Running an NDIS business isn’t just paperwork and policies—it’s heart, hustle, and a whole lotta chaos (with a sprinkle of confetti). In this episode, I sit down with Phuong, founder of Connect My Community, to talk about what it really takes to thrive as a small NDIS provider. We dig into: ✅ Why compliance should feel like a superhero’s cape, not a straightjacket 🧠 The emotional toll of running...

What do elevator pitches, big dreams, and support workers have in common? They all come together in this feel-good convo between Sarah from the Support Worker Store and Daniel from Jigsaw Australia. From networking wins to career twists, Daniel spills the tea on: What makes a great support worker 💡 Why partnerships matter more than ever 🤝 How Jigsaw is transforming lives through real jobs and re...

In this episode, we sit down with Jack Traynor , Business Development Manager at Care Done Differently and founder of Caffeine Connections — a relaxed, relationship-first networking event changing how professionals connect in the disability support sector . Jack shares how Caffeine Connections was born to fill a real gap in the industry: a need for casual, no-pressure meetups where NDIS providers,...

In this episode, we dive deep into the NDIS space with someone who gets it — from plan management headaches to community magic. We chat trust, ethics, networking that’s actually fun (yep, it’s possible), and why small providers are kind of a big deal. ✨ Real stories, real strategy, and a few laughs along the way. 🎧 Whether you're a support worker, provider, or just NDIS-curious, this one’s for y...