Annie in wonderland

  Any Support Workers Reading List This started out as a bit of a joke, but as I started talking about it, I realised it’s surely needed for people new to support work who need resources to develop their skills. The most important document to read is the person’s case notes and plan. People often say not to share your plan; I get the reasoning behind not sharing fiscal details, but how can support workers be effective if they don’t know your goals? How can they truly support someone? It’s also crucial to read the instructions for any assistive technology the person uses. Don’t just assume you know how to use it. This equipment can be expensive, and you may be responsible for the replacement cost if you break it. Other essential resources to review include: The NDIS Code of Ethics The NDIS Onboarding Modules The person’s medication routine Any positive behaviour support plan's  Any meal time management needs If a client has a social media presence ( like I do  please read ...

 So I am working on boxing day and that is strategic that some people who I need to thank for presents and somewhere practical, and I am sure some of my readers who are in the industry would  have gifted clients new bags and lunch boxes, But then it what to fill them with and there are many  “ nutrition” content creators that have some great ideas, but there are going to be some additional considerations,  such as allergies, Mobily issues where they are going, how long they are going to be there and what “perks “they provide. Some offices have free snacks, as long as they aren’t an everyday thing I think take advantage of it, It is part of the remuneration package, as well, but I know if the person is in a Sil ( or group home) they will track eating to see that the person is eating well. But some ideas are classic ideas, of muesli bars, rice crackers and cheese sticks and these are adults, so can you send cheese cubes, but again check allergies well as younger ...

  Hey all so I live with two other housemates many people live in shared houses these days well into adulthood, but mine is what they call in Australia a Sil (supported independent living). The NDIS (national disability insurance scheme) fund it, and we have in the house beings called support workers that help us in what they call ADL (Activities of daily living) But watching and observing support staff, do there jobs one thing I see is major is not something you would expect but some staff in this area have great attention to detail, and just in general, to the point that I am moving a teddy bear by stealth and all but one member of staff have noticed, But I have let the housing manager know and they are going to do something brilliant they are going to use at about how attention to detail is so important in support.  But as my housemates have complex needs, they are responsible for dressing them and their level of hygiene. These are some outfit ideas, and I know that cho...

  So, I did a short that I didn’t think would get much attention, it was around if you’re a support worker, if day centres, community centres and other activity centres shut down over Christmas and they new year, to check them.   I didn’t mean to set off the comments sections but I did and it’s amazing to see that support workers have very varied views( it’s almost that there are human) but for the health of your clients, please at least once a week can you unpack it, wash it and re pack it as someday centre bags as it can be a hygiene issue, weather they a at school or other activities this goes to hygiene as well, and it’s something that some support workers will have amazing attention to detail but others may not think about it, but it is import to do it. Also, something to consider is how long the bags need to last, and if others are going to get jealous so it needs to be a consideration around buying things including lunch boxes as well.   But   it’s som...

  Ok, I have to level with you this is one of two pieces of content I have had pushback about, one I won’t mention but I learnt my lesson around consent with it, but now I am focusing on back to basics around disability and support workers. However, people have taken it the wrong way and once content is on the web it takes a life of its own.   But what I am saying is that anyone in the care space who works with vulnerable people, needs to be aware of what that person needs and their loved one’s needs and you need to realise you’re doing a job, and can’t rock into a shift, late and have your smoke and then read the notes, you need to be on time to do hand over or for a shift, as well, do they need you to be a coach, or do they need you to lower your energy it seems to be something that people say I am there hype person but is that the energy they need? Support is a therapeutic collaborative relationship and if people don’t get it then we really need you to think about...

  This is a post I never thought I would write but I think it’s important to highlight this as we come up to Christmas, we have a lot of fires that can be prevented, from things like Christmas lights, cooking and other one that slips attention that caught my attention as I found myself watching Grand tour Clips and it Richard Hammonds second crash, in the Rimac, an electric vocal, they are quite sensitive around showing the footage, as the cameraman runs to help, https://youtu.be/gj3KqgPNeiY?si=YBO3bPQg4rF_HQNq But as we can see Amazon, Ben Collins and Andy Willman made changes to safety, but when you see James May talking about how long it took to put out, we are now realising the dangers of lithium-ion batteries   The explosions and they can’t be put out with water, I   then asked the question well what about mobility aid’s and communication devices and according to QFS web site yes they have the same batterie. They do have a PDF safety sheet but the general advice ...

So my community access support agency went on a day trip on Wednesday to Brisbane and Mt Coot-tha and the Brisbane Planetarium. We had a wet but enjoyable day. This is a photo dump, and my international viewers might recognize some of the sights from the TV cartoon Bluey , the episode The Sign .  

I’ve had a lot of questions lately about why I don’t dive into “on-the-ground activism” in the disability community. While I respect the passion behind it, my approach centers on accountability, respect for support staff, and a focus on the bigger picture. Here’s why I’ve chosen a different path. Accountability vs. Excuses In my experience, accountability is often misinterpreted as negativity. My approach emphasizes responsibility, transparency, and a willingness to learn from mistakes. Yet, I’ve noticed that when I bring up the need for accountability in disability support structures, it often rubs some people the wrong way. Instead of acknowledging areas where we could improve, disagreements are often dismissed as ableist. But accountability isn’t criticism for the sake of it—it’s a crucial part of ensuring that services work as they should. Respecting Support Staff A big part of advocacy should be about building respect and understanding for support staff, who work hard within the l...

As we reach the end of the academic year here in Australia, with schools and universities wrapping up from January to December, it’s a great time to revisit this post. For those considering career options, the disability care industry continues to grow, especially for those with a car, common sense, and the ability to pass a background check. With a Blue Card (for working with children) and a Yellow Card (for working with people with disabilities), it’s possible to secure a job quickly. It’s encouraging to see new requirements that mandate a qualification after six months in the industry, though there’s room to improve training on essential topics like medication management and nutrition. One area I find particularly important is dress code, as it can vary widely among agencies. Many agencies lack specific uniforms or have vague dress codes, leading to a range of clothing choices in the field. I’ve seen all kinds of attire, from appropriate to very questionable. For example, I've e...

This is a post I've been delaying, but here are my thoughts on the NDIS changes. My thoughts are many and varied, but the reforms are a very mixed bag. People need to understand that the reforms came through for a reason, and that reason is the misuse of the system and instances of fraud. What's been amusing to me is seeing the “advocates” coming out of the woodwork—people I’ve never heard of—claiming to be allies with us. There are some amazing advocates out there, both on the internet and worldwide, but some of these newcomers are blogging on LinkedIn about “foundational support.” I admit, I misunderstood at first, but they were talking about non-NDIS support. The big question is: where is the money coming from if it's for people who don’t qualify for the NDIS? Is it going to come from the state or federal government? The NDIS was supposed to level the playing field, and that involves having barriers to entry. We need to differentiate between a health condition and a disa...

 I’ve talked quite openly about my health and disabilities, and people in my personal life have seen some unwise and unthought-out content I’ve shared. I can see where the pushback comes from, and I acknowledge that a lot of healing has been done in my personal life. But why do I talk about these issues so often and so publicly on the internet? Honestly, I started this blog focusing on media and touched a little on disability, but I couldn't keep up as so much was changing in my life. I naturally started talking more about what I knew—disability and the NDIS—because there wasn’t much content from people with lived experience in Australia. While many providers use social media for promotion, I take pride in being independent. For me, it's about myth-busting what disability looks like. I’ve even had to reevaluate my own thoughts and expectations of myself. I’ve realized that disability isn’t a dirty word. By speaking out about my experiences, I can build a community that doesn’t ...

 In support work, knowing your clients is key to providing effective and respectful care. This begins with reading their care plans before meeting them, asking thoughtful questions, observing their responses, and understanding their living situations. Your role is to work with their environment, not against it—a principle that some support staff, unfortunately, overlook. Take, for instance, clients who live in a family home. It's important to build a professional relationship with the family while recognizing that supporting the client means, to some extent, supporting the family as well. At the same time, situational awareness is critical—you must know your boundaries. Helping clients with tasks, like chores, is part of fostering their independence. However, it's equally important not to overstep and be seen as the housekeeper. In cases where the family or client has the necessary funding, suggesting they hire a cleaner might be a more appropriate solution. Situational awarene...

 This topic only scratches the surface of something that affects the disability community in a specific way. Infantilization can be seen as a form of discrimination, but some people may view it as uninformed caregiving. Either way, if you're a paid caregiver, it’s crucial to be aware of how infantilization can cause frustration, particularly when working with medium to low support needs clients. Frustration often leads to what the industry calls “difficult and challenging behaviors.” But these behaviors aren’t random—they have causes, and one significant cause is frustration. Everything I’ve read about managing challenging behaviors in the disability sector emphasizes that it’s not about the caregiver. The way a caregiver reacts can make a situation better or worse. This is where situational awareness becomes critical. Understanding the root causes of frustration helps identify triggers—real triggers, not the casual "I was triggered at work today" kind, but genuine clini...

Preparing for Emergencies: A Framework for Supporting People with Disabilities This is not going to be an exhaustive list, but in Australia, we need to be honest with ourselves as we head into extreme weather season. This includes, but isn’t limited to, storms, severe wind, bushfires, extreme heat, and—though I’m loathe to mention it—manmade incidents. This post is aimed at carers and supporters of people with disabilities. It’s not exhaustive, but it offers a framework to get you thinking about what needs to happen in an emergency. Key Considerations: Support Needs & Emergency Plans The first thing to consider is the person’s support needs. Do they have a care package? Does the agency or support worker (whether through a platform or an independent worker) have an emergency plan for the client? It's much better to be prepared than to scramble when a situation arises. Potential Challenges Depending on the emergency, a person with a disability might be cut off from regular suppor...

So, I know that I have been neglecting the blog and using ChatGPT far too much, and I know people can see that. However, it is a tool—a very new tool—and we don’t yet know what the long-term implications are. Here's why I’ve been neglecting the blog, and there are a couple of reasons for it. The most important is that I’ve been spending quality time with the people in my life who are important to me. The second reason is that the podcast is taking off, which is amazing. It’s also wonderful to see the support from guests who are willing to give up their time. A special shoutout to Debbi Lund for being a regular guest! Another reason is that I can reach a wider audience on YouTube, which is also taking off, but it’s impacting my margins of time and priorities. However, I’m now at a place where I can refocus and get organized. For me, part of that means carving out time for the blog again. Additionally, the platform I use for blogging makes it hard to get monetized. To be honest, the ...

Understanding the Recent NDIS Changes: What They Mean for Clients The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has undergone significant legislative changes, and it’s important to understand how these will impact clients moving forward. These changes were introduced through the NDIS Amendment (Participant Service Guarantee and Other Measures) Act 2022 and reflect updates designed to streamline services, enhance participant outcomes, and prepare for the future of disability support. In addition to these changes, discussions around the role of support coordinators evolving into navigators are a key feature in the National Disability Roadmap . In this post, we’ll break down the most significant changes to the NDIS, what the potential shift to navigators means, and how this fits into the overall disability support strategy. 1. Participant Service Guarantee The Participant Service Guarantee is a cornerstone of the recent NDIS changes, ensuring quicker and clearer processes for decisi...

What Does a Support Worker Look Like to You? When it comes to choosing a support worker, the most important thing is understanding what you need. The right support worker for one person may not be the right fit for another. But here’s the key takeaway: there’s no such thing as a bad support worker—just people who may not be suited to the industry or to your specific needs. Support work is a profession where personalities, communication styles, and expectations must align. If they don’t, it’s not necessarily because the worker is "bad." They might simply be better suited to a different client or a different role. Watch this insightful video on what it means to have the right kind of support and how to figure out what works for you. What Are Your Needs? Before hiring a support worker, reflect on what your specific needs are. This helps ensure you're finding the right person for the job. Ask yourself: What are the tasks I need help with? Whether it’s personal care, transpo...

The Dark Side of Disability Advocacy: Inclusivity, Hierarchies, and Respect for Different Journeys Disability advocacy is a crucial movement that seeks to uplift marginalized voices, promote inclusivity, and ensure that the needs of people with disabilities are met. However, as with any movement, there are areas of concern that, if left unaddressed, can create harm within the very community advocacy seeks to protect. Issues like hierarchy, exclusion, and manipulation are all too common and must be discussed if we are to build a truly inclusive space for all. The Hierarchy of Disability: Exclusion of Hidden Disabilities One of the most concerning aspects within disability advocacy is the development of an unspoken hierarchy—where individuals with visible or more severe disabilities often dominate the conversation, leaving those with hidden or higher-functioning disabilities feeling excluded. This hierarchy is not only harmful but also counterproductive to the goals of true inclusivity. ...