Mardi Finlay Consultancy and Support Coordination Services

20/10/2025

Whilst I've been busy with other projects recently I realise I've not been as present here in this space and communities so please allow me to reintroduce myself.

Flexible Consultancy Support for Community & Disability Services

Hi 👋

I am Mardi and I am the owner and operator of Mardi Finlay Consultancy and Support Services.

Following 35 years working as a Community Service Leader(primarily leading Disability and Youth & Family support programs) I became an independent consultant in 2023.

Since then I have been able to walk beside many workers and businesses providing short-term and flexible support to organisations in the community services and disability sector.

I completely understand how busy quality service provision can get, so my focus is on making life easier for providers by offering:

• Short-term consultancy – help when you need it, with no lock-in contracts.
• Flexible fees – tailored to the skills and support required.
• Recruitment assistance – from attracting to onboarding the right people.
• Policy and procedure support – proofreading, refining, or developing clear and compliant documents.
• Staff Supervision and Development. Giving your team the support, guidance and tools they need to grow in their roles amd deliver their best work.

Think of it as having an extra set of hands (and decades of experience) you can call on when things get busy, without the overhead of a long-term hire.

I’d love to hear a bit about your organisation and see if there’s a way I can support yourself and your team.

Thanks for reading this far and i hope that your business continues to grow and support others to make dreams come true,

Warm regards,
Mardi Finlay
Mardi Finlay Consultancy Services

30/09/2025

Coffee, lunch, ocean views and long conversations to wake up the heart and soul.
Such a beautiful day.

How was your day?

28/09/2025

Happy Sunday Friends.

This past month has been filled with inspiring conversations and meaningful connections. ✨

I’m grateful for the opportunity to meet, learn from, and share ideas with so many passionate and driven people. These moments remind me of the real value in building connections — they spark fresh thinking, open new possibilities, and strengthen the communities we’re part of.

Thank you to everyone who made this month so damn engaging and energising — I’m looking forward to what these connections grow into. 🌱

Thank you

17/09/2025

I love robust and reflective conversations with services about what ethical practice in real life looks like and how we keep our most vulnerable safe.

16/09/2025

💸 The Cost of Poor Recruitment – Why Tailored Recruitment Matters in Disability & Community Services

In our sector, the right people aren’t just filling roles or bums on seats—they are the people that have the potential to shape lives. A poor hiring decision can impact your participants goals, your organisation’s culture, service quality, and financial stability.

3 key reasons tailored recruitment is essential:
1️⃣ Quality of Care – The right match ensures clients receive consistent, person-centred support.
2️⃣ Team Cohesion – A good fit reduces conflict, builds trust, and strengthens workplace culture.
3️⃣ Reduced Turnover Costs – Recruiting the right person first time saves time, money, and training resources.
At Mardi Finlay Consultancy, we can assist with:
✔ Tailored recruitment processes that reflect your organisation’s values.
✔ Support in refining role descriptions, interviews, and induction frameworks.

✅ Let me help you build a team that’s skilled, committed, and aligned with your mission.
📩 mardifinlaycoordination@gmail.com | 📞 0438 547 790


Pic taken during a recent trip....it's true right? Let's always reach for great. A new motto to work by.

13/09/2025

Would you like to see if external supervision is for you?

Team leaders and managers in community services often carry a heavy load, balancing teams, clients, and complex demands. Support can make a real difference.

I’m offering a free introductory supervision session designed to:

✨️Provide a safe space to reflect on leadership challenges and workload management.

✨️Explore practical strategies for supporting your team and yourself.

✨️Tailor guidance to your pace, priorities, and professional goals.

Sessions are complimentary for first-time participants.

To book or find out more, send me a message—let’s find a time that works for you.

30/08/2025

If you are a disability support worker interested in learning more about positive behaviour support, the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission have recently released 3 short online courses that might be of interest to you.

15,000 government-funded Positive Behaviour Support training places are now available for disability support workers via the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.

19/08/2025

Earlier this week I started the discussion on the risk associated with 'sloppy' organisational policies. As this can be a challenging area of business I thought it would be timely to talk further about Quality Policy review, specifically with what I call a Policy 'Deep dive'.

🔎 Example of a Policy Deep Dive: Critical Incident Reporting

Critical Incident Reporting is one of the most high-risk areas for compliance in community services — yet it’s also where many organisations stumble.

Common Errors in Policy & Practice:

1️⃣ Policy Gaps – Policies that don’t clearly define what a “critical incident” is, leading to confusion among staff.
2️⃣ Overly Complex Processes – Long-winded procedures that delay timely reporting.
3️⃣ Implementation Drift – Staff not trained or confident, meaning incidents go unreported or reports lack critical detail.
💡 Tips for Strengthening Your Policy & Implementation:

• Review & Update Policy:

✔ Cross-check against current regulatory requirements (e.g., NDIS Act, Child Safety legislation for your state, National Aged Care Legislation as well as relative criminal and WHS Acts).
✔ Gather and encourage staff feedback to ensure clarity and practicality.
✔ Schedule policy reviews at set intervals (e.g., annually or after major incidents).

• Track Updates Effectively:

✔ Use a version control log (date, changes, responsible person).
✔ Communicate updates in staff meetings and circulate “policy update briefs.”
✔ Store all policies in a central, easy-to-access location with clear labels (no more “which version is right?” confusion).

📌 Remember: A strong Critical Incident Reporting framework isn’t just about compliance—it’s about safeguarding clients, protecting staff, and strengthening organisational trust.

I am Always keen for your thoughts and questions and if you're interested in getting assistance with 'a Deep Dive' on your services policies and procedures let me know.

Mardi

17/08/2025

Happy Monday......

Let's be awesome together and set the tone for the week ahead.

Have a great week.

15/08/2025

Sloppy Policies = Risky Practice 🚨

I’ve seen it happen too often in disability and community services…
Policies that haven’t been touched in years.
Procedures that are written in “compliance speak” no one understands.

And teams trying their best to deliver great service — but relying on guesswork because the documents don’t actually guide them.

Here’s the truth:

📌 If your policies are outdated, unclear, or impossible to implement…
…you’re not just holding up progress. You’re creating risk.

Clean, clear, and current documentation isn’t a “nice to have” — it’s the backbone of quality service.

When your policies work:

✅ Audits run smoothly and compliance stress disappears.
✅ Staff feel confident and know exactly what’s expected.
✅ Your organisation has the stability to grow and innovate.

When they don’t… well, the cracks start to show — and often at the worst possible time.

That’s where I can possibly help YOUR service.

At Mardi Finlay Consultancy, I help service providers:

• Review and update policies so they’re relevant and compliant.

• Turn complex frameworks into plain language everyone can follow.

• Support teams to actually use the policies, not just store them in a folder.

Because the right documentation doesn’t just tick boxes — it supports people, protects clients, and sets your business up for sustainable growth.

📩 Let’s talk about how to get your policies from “sloppy” to “solid.”

Mardi Finlay Consultancy

03/08/2025

🌿 Support Work is Rewarding — But It’s Also Heavy.
Burnout doesn’t just happen overnight. It builds when we keep going without stopping to reflect, reset, and feel supported.

That’s where reflective supervision makes a real difference.

It gives support workers a safe, structured space to:
💬 Talk through challenges
🧠 Make sense of emotional experiences
❤️ Feel heard and valued
🌱 Build resilience for the long haul

You don’t have to carry it all alone.

✨ Let’s create space for support workers to be supported.

If you’re a team leader or a sole worker needing a regular sounding board, reach out. Reflective supervision is more than professional development — it’s self-care with purpose.

We are also looking at creating a group space for local workers over 6 weeks to come together (remotely) and learn and share from your peers with guidance and structured topics sessions. If you're interested please let me now.

Feel free to share this post.

📩 DM Mardi Finlay Consultancy to find out more.

22/07/2025

Have you tried a MID SHIFT SELF CHECK?

Here's 5 professional reflective questions designed to help support workers stay focused, grounded, and person-centred during a busy shift:

1. "What does the person I'm supporting need most from me right now?"
-This question can help refocus your attention on the individual’s needs, rather than just the tasks to complete or the hours to the end of shift.

2. "Am I responding or reacting to this situation?"
-This is my favourite......and it's aimed at promoting your own emotional regulation and encouraging thoughtful, planned action over impulsive responses.

3. "Have I taken a moment to check in with myself today?"
- Checkins build self-awareness and wellbeing, which directly impacts quality of care which you deliver to others.

4. "How am I maintaining dignity, choice, and respect in my interactions?"
- A reminder of the core values in support work, especially during high-pressure moments and long days.

5. "What small action can I take right now to make this shift more supportive for the team or the person I’m working with?"
- Fosters collaboration and reinforces a proactive, solutions-focused mindset.

I suspect that there will be 100 other great examples of a mid shift check in which question will you try during today's shift?