Support coordination: life-changing NDIS outcomes

27 May 2022

Over the years Lisa’s had jobs she wasn’t good at, or ones that she was good at, that were (quite frankly) boring. That all changed four years ago when Lisa became a support coordinator with VMCH. Now, she helps 15 people with disability get the best out of their NDIS plans.

Just recently Lisa found last-minute weekend respite (“a rabbit out of a hat moment”) for a client who hadn’t left the house in two years. It’s wins like this that reinforce her decision to become a support coordinator.

“When I got into support coordination I really saw where my strengths lay – and that’s around face-to-face contact with clients. I enjoy helping people, and I enjoy the challenge as well.”

If it’s a challenge for a qualified person like Lisa (who lives and breathes the NDIS), imagine the difficulty for anyone else.

“We help clients navigate the maze that is the NDIS, linking them with service providers who offer the best options matched to their needs,” Lisa explains. She also does specialist support coordination (the highest level available) for people who have more complex needs, such as those in a crisis situation or needing support from multiple organisations.

VMCH support coordinator Lisa loves her job

Thanks to Lisa’s creative thinking and tenacity, one of her clients is no longer forced to live in aged care.

“She was too young to be in aged care and she hated it,” Lisa says. “I knew VMCH had affordable homes for over 55s and was able to find her a unit of her own. She also had minimal belongings, so I connected her with a VMCH op shop who gave her some clothing and household items. Admittedly, there were a few teething problems and we realised she needed extra support, so now we have a support worker there seven days a week to help with food, shopping and medications. It’s a beautiful place and she loves it; it’s been life-changing for her.”

Lisa describes outcomes like this as “very rewarding”. “It does give you a warm and fuzzy feeling that really makes this job worth it. If I could visualise what I do, I’d see myself walking next to my client holding their hand, guiding them in the path that they want to take.”

If you’d like someone like Lisa on your team, please call us on 1300 698 624 or click here.

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Acknowledgement of Country

We here at VMCH respectfully acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which we gather, and we would like to take a moment to honour the fact that we live on the lands of the oldest civilisation in the world. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and wisdom of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.