Building With Strength

Building With Strength Michelle Garland
NDIS Support Navigator and Consultant
South Coast NSW.

🌱 Life Transitions and the NDIS: Support Through Every StageMajor life changes can be exciting — but also overwhelming. ...
25/08/2025

🌱 Life Transitions and the NDIS: Support Through Every Stage

Major life changes can be exciting — but also overwhelming. Whether it’s moving out of home, starting a job, or adjusting to ageing or new health needs, NDIS participants often need extra support to plan ahead and feel confident.

At Building With Strength, we guide participants through these transitions with practical, personalised strategies that align with their goals and values.

🔹 Planning for greater independence
🔹 Exploring employment, volunteering, or study
🔹 Connecting with new providers or mainstream services
🔹 Adjusting supports as needs change over time

Transitions aren’t just checkboxes on a plan — they’re milestones in a person’s life. We work alongside participants to make sure each step forward is informed, supported, and truly their own.

📢 Final Call – Illawarra NDIS Networking Tomorrow!Don’t miss tomorrow’s Illawarra Support Coordination Alliance meeting!...
25/08/2025

📢 Final Call – Illawarra NDIS Networking Tomorrow!

Don’t miss tomorrow’s Illawarra Support Coordination Alliance meeting!

📍 New location: 9 Old Springhill Rd, Coniston NSW 2500
🗓 When: Wednesday 27th August 2025, 1:00pm – 2:00pm

Come along to:
✅ Meet other NDIS providers and coordinators
✅ Learn from our guest speaker, Laura Appel from Feed Me Nutrition
✅ Strengthen your network and share solutions

Let’s work together to support participants with clarity, confidence, and connection.

See you there!

Book your spot here: https://form.jotform.com/242890220973055

⏸️ “It’s okay to pause, but don’t give up.” 💬Whether you’re waiting on approvals, funding, or clarity, remember: slowing...
24/08/2025

⏸️ “It’s okay to pause, but don’t give up.” 💬

Whether you’re waiting on approvals, funding, or clarity, remember: slowing down doesn’t mean failure. 🐢
Taking a pause can be strategic. 🌿

We help you breathe 😮‍💨, regroup 🤝, and move forward when you’re ready. 🚶‍♀️➡️

📝 Policy Development Without the OverwhelmAt Building With Strength, we know that policies and procedures can feel daunt...
20/08/2025

📝 Policy Development Without the Overwhelm

At Building With Strength, we know that policies and procedures can feel daunting for many providers. 📚😅

That’s why we simplify the process — turning complex requirements into clear, practical documents ✅.

🔍 We focus on:
✨ Compliance made easy
✨ Streamlined systems
✨ Documents that actually work in practice

With the right guidance, policy development doesn’t need to be stressful — it can strengthen your business and support better outcomes for participants. 💪🌿

📢 Big NDIS AnnouncementToday, Minister for Disability and the NDIS, Mark Butler, announced a new $2 billion ‘Thriving Ki...
20/08/2025

📢 Big NDIS Announcement

Today, Minister for Disability and the NDIS, Mark Butler, announced a new $2 billion ‘Thriving Kids’ program, set to roll out on 1 July 2026.

The program will focus on early intervention supports for children with mild-to-moderate developmental delays and autism, aiming to reduce reliance on the NDIS.

🔑 What we know so far:
• Led by paediatrician Prof. Frank Oberklaid with consultation from the disability community
• Expansion of WA’s Inklings program nationally
• Training for GPs + new Medicare items for child development assessments and allied health supports
• Scaled-up community drop-in centres and early childhood services
• A nationally consistent online information hub
• Strong involvement from States and Territories in delivery

💡 Why Thriving Kids?
The Minister highlighted sustainability pressures, noting:
• 1 in 10 Australian children are on the NDIS (1 in 6 boys)
• Around half of new entrants are under 9
• Families often feel the NDIS is the only option for support

Children already in the NDIS won’t be automatically removed, but future eligibility criteria will change once Thriving Kids is in place.

👉 This marks a major shift in how early intervention will be delivered across Australia.

Why Are We Rethinking NDIS Pricing?The current NDIS pricing structure was only ever meant to be temporary—a way to get p...
19/08/2025

Why Are We Rethinking NDIS Pricing?

The current NDIS pricing structure was only ever meant to be temporary—a way to get providers into the market and offer value to participants.

But 10 years later, the caps haven’t just stayed—they’ve become the default price. That means every provider is paid the same rate, regardless of experience, location, or quality of care.

According to the IPC, this approach has created imbalance:
• Sole traders may be earning above their actual delivery costs
• Complex or specialist services are underfunded
• There’s no financial incentive to invest in supervision or training

The market hasn’t matured as expected, and price caps may be holding it back.

Next week: What the IPC suggests we do instead—some of the ideas are familiar, others are bold.

💬 Have you seen the limits of the capped price model in your work?

🤝 Building Stronger NDIS Connections – One Week to GoNext week, the Illawarra Support Coordination Alliance meets again ...
19/08/2025

🤝 Building Stronger NDIS Connections – One Week to Go

Next week, the Illawarra Support Coordination Alliance meets again — and you’re invited!

These gatherings are about more than just networking. They’re about:
🔹 Sharing knowledge to navigate the NDIS effectively
🔹 Finding collaborative solutions for complex participant needs
🔹 Building trust and partnerships across the sector

📍 Where: 9 Old Springhill Rd, Coniston NSW 2500
🗓 When: Wednesday 27th August 2025, 1:00pm – 2:00pm
🎤 Guest Speaker: Laura Appel – Feed Me Nutrition

If you’re an NDIS provider, support coordinator, or community professional, this is your space to connect, collaborate, and create better outcomes for participants.

Book your spot here: https://form.jotform.com/242890220973055

📱 Technology and the NDIS: Tools That EmpowerTechnology can be a game-changer for NDIS participants — not just in access...
18/08/2025

📱 Technology and the NDIS: Tools That Empower

Technology can be a game-changer for NDIS participants — not just in accessing services, but in building independence and improving daily life.

From assistive technology like communication devices and mobility aids, to digital tools like apps that help track routines, manage medications, or budget spending — there are more ways than ever to take control of your supports.

🔹 The myplace portal makes it easier to view your plan, claims, and communications.
🔹 Budgeting tools can help you manage self-managed funds.
🔹 Voice-activated assistants and smart home tech can support independence in the home.
🔹 Goal-tracking apps can help build routine and confidence.

NDIS funding may cover many types of low-cost AT, and participants can request support to explore what’s right for them.

At Building With Strength, we help people understand their options and use tools that genuinely make a difference — no unnecessary complexity, just practical support.

🧘‍♂️ “You don’t need to prove your strength — just live it.” 💫NDIS participants and providers often feel the need to jus...
17/08/2025

🧘‍♂️ “You don’t need to prove your strength — just live it.” 💫

NDIS participants and providers often feel the need to justify their decisions 🗣️, their knowledge 📚, or their capacity 🧠.
But real strength is quiet, consistent, and doesn’t require validation. 🌿✨

Keep doing what’s right — not what looks right. ✅🛤️

📄 How to Track Progress Notes Effectively Progress notes are more than just paperwork — they’re a vital record of th...
13/08/2025

📄 How to Track Progress Notes Effectively


Progress notes are more than just paperwork — they’re a vital record of the support provided and outcomes achieved. But let’s be honest, tracking them efficiently can feel overwhelming.

Here are a few tools and methods we recommend to streamline the process:

✅ Use a structured template – Create a consistent layout (e.g. Date, Support Provided, Participant Response, Next Steps) to save time and avoid missing key details.
✅ Choose digital over paper – Apps like Notion, Evernote, or purpose-built NDIS CRMs allow you to organise notes securely and retrieve them easily.
✅ Schedule regular time to write them – A 10-minute slot after each session or a dedicated weekly admin block can help avoid backlog.
✅ Link notes to participant goals – Keeping the focus on NDIS goals helps demonstrate outcomes and builds trust with participants and auditors.
✅ Back up your data – Whether cloud-based or hard copy, ensure your records are stored securely and in line with NDIS requirements.

🛠️ At Building With Strength, we help independent support workers and providers develop systems that reduce stress and improve compliance.

Need help setting up your own progress note system? Reach out – we’ll make it simple.

What’s Happening With NDIS Pricing?There’s been a lot of behind-the-scenes movement on how NDIS prices are set—but much ...
12/08/2025

What’s Happening With NDIS Pricing?

There’s been a lot of behind-the-scenes movement on how NDIS prices are set—but much of it has gone under the radar.

Last year, the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA) was tasked with reviewing how prices are determined across the Scheme. They consulted widely and were expected to recommend meaningful reform. But despite the effort, that report has never seen the light of day.

Meanwhile, the NDIA formed its own committee—the Independent Pricing Committee (IPC)—to explore the same issues, but with much less consultation. Their report is now out and hints at pricing reforms that could reshape how services are delivered.

So what’s actually changing? And what does it mean for providers?

Over the next few weeks, I’ll break down what the IPC suggests—and how it could impact you, your work, and your business.

👉 Follow for part two next week, where we’ll explore why the current pricing model may no longer be fit for purpose.

🗓 Save the Date – Illawarra Support Coordination AllianceWe’re bringing the Illawarra NDIS community together for anothe...
12/08/2025

🗓 Save the Date – Illawarra Support Coordination Alliance

We’re bringing the Illawarra NDIS community together for another Support Coordination Alliance meeting!

📍 New location: 9 Old Springhill Rd, Coniston NSW 2500
🗓 Wednesday 27th August 2025
⏰ 1:00pm – 2:00pm

Our guest speaker this month is Laura Appel from Feed Me Nutrition, an experienced dietitian passionate about helping people achieve better health and independence through evidence-based nutrition.

This is a fantastic opportunity to:
✅ Network with other NDIS professionals
✅ Share ideas, resources, and insights
✅ Strengthen connections to better support participants

Let’s work together to improve outcomes for the people we serve.

Book your spot here: https://form.jotform.com/242890220973055

Address

Kiama Downs, NSW
2533

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 3pm
Sunday 10am - 3pm

Telephone

+61414837752

Website

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