Sense of Care

14/09/2025

Sharing a little find on the Brotherhood website.

The Brotherhood of St. Laurence (BSL) has partnered with Safewill, Australia’s highest-rated Will-writing platform, to make it easier than ever to protect your loved ones and create a lasting legacy.

Until 15 September, you can write your legally valid Will online for free.

How it works:
✔ Answer a few simple questions online (takes about 20 minutes)
✔ Your Will is reviewed by an Australian solicitor
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✔ Update anytime, just like a traditional Will

View Write your Will online with Safewill page

13/09/2025

New Research Spotlight: Psychosocial Support & the NDIS

A 2025 article by Shelby-James & Rattray has taken a deep look at how people with psychosocial disabilities are being supported in Australia — and how the NDIS Review’s recent recommendations stack up.

Key Findings

Since the NDIS began in 2013, there's been a big shift in how psychosocial supports are funded — some funding has moved from state & federal-mainstream programs into the NDIS.

Yet, many people who aren’t eligible for NDIS, or who need less intensive or more episodic support, rely on state/federal and community mental health services. Those services are uneven in how much support they offer, depending on where you live and which program you’re using.

The NDIS Review (2023) has made several recommendations to try to fix inequities — especially around psychosocial disability. These include boosting foundational supports outside the NDIS, making the process of accessing support clearer, improving continuity, and making early intervention more available.

Why It Matters

Lots of people with psychosocial disability fall between the cracks — they may not meet the NDIS eligibility (yet still need support) or their needs are not constant. A strong system of supports outside and adjacent to the NDIS is essential.

Equity isn’t just about eligibility criteria — it’s about how easy the system is to navigate, how timely and consistent support is, and whether funding is fair across jurisdictions.

Having both individualised supports (like those through NDIS) and community or mainstream services working together is important — people need options depending on their changing needs.

What Could Help / What’s Recommended

Strengthen foundational supports (outside the NDIS) so that people who are not fully eligible for NDIS still have good access to help.

Make accessing the NDIS easier: more transparent processes, clearer decision-making, and better navigation support for people with psychosocial disability.

Early intervention pathways — more timely supports for people when they first start to need help, before needs become more severe.

Better integration between NDIS supports and mental health systems, so people don’t have to fall through gaps when switching between them.

To read the full article =}

The Future of Psychosocial Supports in Australia– Are the Recommendations from the National Disability Insurance Scheme Review the Answer?

The introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in 2013 and the resulting changes in mainstream funding for psychosocial supports have led to disparities in funding between the two existing systems. Currently, people supported under the NDIS receive significantly more funding com...

12/09/2025

🌟 Meet Moriel – Support Worker at Sense of Care 🌟

Moriel is one of our passionate support workers, currently studying Occupational Therapy at ACU. She brings hands-on experience supporting clients with a range of needs, including physical, psychosocial, and complex care.

Moriel loves helping people build independence, achieve their goals, and enjoy a better quality of life. 💙

Outside of work, you’ll find her travelling, exploring new places, and spending time with her loved ones.

We’re so lucky to have Moriel as part of the Sense of Care team!

If you think Moriel could be a good fit for you or a loved one we can arrange an obligation free meet n greet. Please contact our client Services lead - shannon@senseofcare.com.au or call Agnes on 0490 723 381

10/09/2025

Update on Art & Music Therapy in the NDIS

The NDIA recently commissioned an independent review into art and music therapy supports, led by Dr Stephen Duckett AM. Over 600 people from the disability community contributed, including participants and service providers.

What the review found:

Art and music therapy can be effective and beneficial for some people, depending on their needs and goals.

Supports should be delivered by qualified, registered therapists.

Participants can continue to access support for art and music activities under Core supports, but the cost of the activity itself is not covered.

A new national price limit of $70.23 per hour has been set for support to participate in art/music activities.

Key recommendations:

Better support to help participants make informed choices about therapies.

Updating the therapy price limit to align with counsellors ($156.16 per hour instead of $193.99).

19 recommendations in total, aimed at improving delivery and access.

NDIA’s response:
The NDIA supports (or supports in principle) all 15 recommendations directed to the Agency. These changes will help shape future guidance around how art and music therapy is delivered and funded, ensuring supports are evidence-based and goal-focused.

You can read the full review and NDIA’s response here:

https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/10894-duckett-review-confirms-art-and-music-therapy-continue

At Sense of Care, we welcome these updates and remain committed to supporting participants to access therapies that enhance wellbeing, independence, and quality of life.

Art and music therapies will continue to be available to people with disability under the NDIS where there is evidence it will provide beneficial outcomes.

06/09/2025

As a support coordinator I try to ensure that all of my clients are receiving all of the payments which they are entitled to.

One I have learnt about only recently, is Isolated Children's Scheme, which is a significant payment for children studying from home.

In light of this, I thought I would put together a summary of all the payments I'm aware of. If you know of any others government initiatives please do share In the comments. We only know what we know.

Centrelink & Government Payments for People with Disability

Disability & Health-Related Payments

Disability Support Pension (DSP)

For people aged 16+ with a permanent physical, intellectual, or psychiatric condition that prevents them from working 15+ hours per week.

Mobility Allowance (being phased into NDIS, but still exists in limited cases)

For people with disability who can’t use public transport without significant assistance.

Sickness Allowance (phased out — now JobSeeker with medical exemption)

For those temporarily unable to work due to illness/injury.

Carer Payments & Allowances

Carer Payment

For people who provide full-time daily care to someone with a severe disability/illness.

Carer Allowance

A supplementary payment for carers providing daily care (can be paid in addition to Carer Payment or other benefits).

Carer Supplement

Automatic annual payment (around July each year) to people receiving Carer Allowance or Carer Payment.

Carer Adjustment Payment

One-off payment to families who experience a sudden and catastrophic event leading to a child’s severe disability or illness.

Child & Youth Supports

Child Disability Assistance Payment

Annual payment to those receiving Carer Allowance for a child under 16.

Youth Disability Supplement

Extra payment for young people with disability on Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY.

Isolated Children’s Scheme (ICSS)

Helps with boarding, distance education, or travel costs for children who can’t access a local school due to distance, disability, or special needs.

Family Tax Benefit (FTB A & B)

Ongoing support for families raising children, including those with disability.

Income Support for People with Disability

JobSeeker Payment

For people with partial capacity to work due to disability or medical conditions (with exemptions/reduced mutual obligations).

Youth Allowance (Student/Apprentice)

With extra support if you have disability or are living away from home due to special circumstances.

ABSTUDY

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students/apprentices — includes extra help for those with disability.

Housing & Living Support

Rent Assistance

Extra help with rent costs for those on income support payments.

Energy Supplement

A small ongoing payment to help with electricity, gas, and water bills.

Crisis Payment

One-off payment for people in extreme situations (e.g., leaving unsafe housing, natural disasters, release from prison).

Concessions & Discounts (State/Federal)

Health Care Card

Discounted medicines (PBS) and medical services.

Pensioner Concession Card

Extra concessions on bills, transport, and healthcare.

Companion Card (State-based)

Free entry for a carer/support worker to events and venues.

Transport Subsidies (State-based)

Taxi subsidies, mobility parking schemes, and community transport programs.

These payments can often be combined — e.g., someone may receive DSP + Rent Assistance + Energy Supplement, while their carer receives Carer Allowance + Carer Supplement.

Please share any other programs or payments which would benefit our community?

06/09/2025

Children with Autism to Transition to New “Thriving Kids” Program

The Australian Government has announced a $2 billion program called “Thriving Kids”, which will see children with mild to moderate autism or developmental delays supported outside of the NDIS.

Instead of accessing supports through NDIS plans, families may be referred to foundational services delivered through schools, health networks, and community programs. The transition is expected to begin from July 2026.

While the program aims to ensure the NDIS remains sustainable and focused on people with significant and permanent disabilities, many parents and advocates have voiced serious concerns:

The term “mild autism” is seen as misleading, as autism is lifelong and affects each child differently.

Families are worried children may lose access to vital therapies and supports they currently rely on.

Advocates stress that all children deserve timely, consistent, and appropriate supports, no matter where the funding comes from.

At Sense of Care, we understand these concerns. Our priority is ensuring that families feel informed, supported, and empowered through these changes. We’ll continue to monitor updates closely and provide guidance on what this shift means for our participants.

hat do you think about this change? Share your thoughts below — we’d love to hear from families and carers in our community.

29/08/2025

Sense of Care is excited to share a valuable resource from the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission: “Talking to Participants About Restrictive Practices.”
This initiative is all about communication—making sure NDIS participants fully understand what restrictive practices are, why they might be considered, and how those decisions are made transparently and respectfully.
Dedicate this post to our lovely readers and participants ❤️

Participants must be told when regulated restrictive practices are going to be part of their behaviour support plan. This must be done in a way that is easy to understand.We have made some resources to support this important conversation.

20/08/2025

Sense of Care is a team committed to creating a safe environment where participants can trust in our support system. Our mission is to empower clients on their personal journey toward happiness and meaningful community connections. Along the way, we honor the selfless dedication of carers who generously give their time to help those in need.
To facilitate local support, Sense of Care sends you a document titled “Support for Carers: Program Providers,” enabling you to contact an SCP provider directly in your area. This guidebook will undoubtedly be a valuable resource for all NDIS participants and their families.
https://www.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-06/Victorian-Support-for-Carers-Program-providers-2025.docx
The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing provides support, programs and services for Victoria’s carers in partnership with the sector.

For more information, please access this link
https://www.vic.gov.au/support-carers-program

Carers play such an important role in the lives of so many.

20/08/2025

At the National Press Club, Minister Mark Butler MP laid out the government’s plan for the Scheme:

Read Minister Butler's speech at the National Press Club in Canberra about securing the future of the NDIS.

14/08/2025

We’ve Created Something for YOU

At Sense of Care, we believe that the best outcomes happen when participants and the people supporting them work together with the right tools in hand.
That’s why we’ve created our Recovery Coaching Handbook – a practical guide packed with:
✨ Easy-to-use worksheets and templates
✨ Goal-setting tools you can use together
✨ Tips for building independence and confidence
✨ Strategies to stay on track and celebrate progress
We originally designed this handbook for our own Recovery Coaches and clients, but we’re opening it up for participants, fellow Support Coordinators, and Recovery Coaches across the sector, who could make use of this resource.
If you’d like a free copy of the Recovery Coaching Handbook please visit - https://www.senseofcare.com.au/ndisresourcesandhelp

Let’s share resources, ideas, and support – because we’re all working towards the same thing: helping people thrive.

09/07/2025

Sense of Care has immediate capacity to offer pediatric and adult Occupational Therapy in the South East, Inner East suburbs of Melbourne as well as The Mornington Peninsula. Our amazing OTs have 15 plus years of experience. Offering functional capacity assessments, AT prescription, Home modifications, housing assessments and ongoing Therapy.

Please reach out to admin@senseofcare.com.au to schedule an obligation free meet and greet with our team of allied health professionals.

16/06/2025

The NDIS has released the new Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, including new Support Catalogue 25-26.

NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (previously the NDIS Price Guide) assist participants and disability support providers to understand the way that price controls for supports and services work in the NDIS. Price regulation is in place to ensure that participants receive value for money in....