Sarah Knows Support Workers

Sarah Heriot
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The podcast for NDIS support workers, disability support workers, and aged care workers in Australia. Hosted by Sarah Heriot — interviewing support workers, NDIS providers, disability sector founders, and care sector leaders. Get real insights on NDIS, disability support, and working in aged care. Support workers: find clients fast — sign up free at SwiftyMatchy.com and get matched with people who need your support today!

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    How We Made It to 100 Episodes: Support Workers, NDIS Stories and Real Sector Conversations

    We made it to 100 episodes of Sarah Knows Support Workers — and honestly, I don’t think I realised how big that was until now. This podcast started with no fancy business plan, no perfect strategy, and no big production team behind it. It started because I genuinely enjoy talking to people in the NDIS, disability and aged care sector. I love hearing how people got started, what they have learned, what they are still figuring out, and how they keep showing up when things get hard. In this solo episode, I reflect on the journey to 100 episodes and what this podcast has taught me about support workers, NDIS providers, business owners, participants, leadership, burnout, sector change and resilience. The truth is, the NDIS sector is not easy right now. There are big changes happening. Providers are under pressure. Support workers are tired. Participants and families are trying to understand what comes next. But through all of that, there are still people doing incredible work every single day. This episode is a celebration, but it is also a real conversation. I talk about why the podcast has lasted this long, why curiosity matters, why support workers need more honest conversations, and why storytelling is so important in this sector. Every guest, every solo episode and every listener has helped shape this podcast into something much bigger than I expected. If you work in the NDIS, aged care, disability support, support coordination, provider space, or frontline care, this episode is for you. Thank you for listening, sharing, supporting and being part of the first 100 episodes. Here’s to more real talk, more learning, more sector stories and more conversations that actually matter.

    12 min

  2. 4 DAYS AGO

    SIL & Respite Explained: What Every Support Worker Needs to Know | Pure Living Accommodation

    In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers, Sarah chats with Stevie-Lee Molina, founder and director of Pure Living Accommodation and Care, about what quality support can really look like in the NDIS. Stevie-Lee shares her journey from support work, crisis work and child protection into building a registered NDIS business that provides SIL, respite, community access and skill-building supports around the Hunter Valley area. This conversation covers: ✨ What makes a good SIL home feel like an actual home ✨ Why oversight, communication and routine matter ✨ Green flags families and coordinators should look for ✨ How small goals can lead to huge participant wins ✨ Why support workers need training, guidance and the right attitude ✨ The future of Pure Living, Pure Start and skill-building programs This episode is full of real talk about participant choice, dignity, independence and building supports that actually help people grow. To learn more about Stevie-Lee and Pure Living Accommodation and Care, visit: purelivingaccommodationandcare.com.au

    39 min

  3. 6 DAYS AGO

    You Are Not Just a Support Worker — Em Hoskin from Your Best Support on What You're Really Worth

    In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers, Sarah sits down with Em Hoskin from Your Best Support to talk about what real, person-centred NDIS support actually looks like. Em shares how she went from support worker and support coordinator to building a registered NDIS provider during COVID, and why consistency, communication, and getting in the thick of support work still matters. This conversation covers support coordination, psychosocial disability, participant independence, building capacity, communication styles, provider accountability, and why support workers are so much more than “just support workers.” We also talk about the original purpose of the NDIS, helping people move forward, and why good support should build skills, confidence, and community connection — not keep people stuck. Perfect for NDIS support workers, support coordinators, providers, participants, families, and anyone who cares about better disability support in Australia. In this episode, we cover: NDIS support coordination Person-centred support Support worker skills Building participant independence Psychosocial disability support Communication and behaviour Provider responsibility Real stories from the disability sector Guest: Em Hoskin, Your Best Support Host: Sarah Heriot, Sarah Knows Support Workers

    46 min

  4. 28 APR

    NDIS Changes 2026 Explained: Support Workers, Funding Cuts & The Future of Care

    What’s really happening with the NDIS right now… and what does it actually mean for support workers, providers, and participants? In this episode, I join Jackie for a real, unfiltered conversation about the latest NDIS changes, funding cuts, and the growing uncertainty across the sector. We break down:• What the recent NDIS announcements actually mean (without the fear-mongering)• The truth about funding cuts and social & community supports• Why support workers are leaving the sector — and what’s replacing them• Independent vs provider models — what’s really changing• The future of registration, audits, and compliance• How the NDIS has shifted from community-first to system-heavy• What “good care” should actually look like moving forward We also talk about the real heart of the sector — the people. The wins, the challenges, and why community connection still matters more than ever. If you’re a support worker, provider, participant, or just trying to make sense of where the NDIS is heading… this is the conversation you need to hear. Follow Jacque Grant here

    55 min

  5. 23 APR

    HireUp CEO Peter Willis on NDIS Leadership, Support Workers and the Future of Disability Care

    In this episode, Sarah sits down with Peter Willis, CEO of HireUp, to talk about leadership, support workers, provider growth, and the future of disability care in Australia. Peter shares his journey from consulting and public policy into the disability sector, how he worked his way through HireUp into the CEO role, and what it takes to lead one of Australia’s best-known support platforms. This conversation dives into NDIS leadership, support worker flexibility, provider partnerships, culture, aged care, workforce growth, AI in support work, and how HireUp is responding to sector change. Peter also talks about building strong teams, protecting culture as organisations grow, listening to feedback, and why support workers bring some of the most valuable real-world skills into the sector. If you are an NDIS participant, aged care participant, family member, support worker, provider, or someone looking for flexible support options, this episode gives you a real behind-the-scenes look at how HireUp thinks about quality support, worker choice, and the future of care. Want to learn more about HireUp?Visit the HireUp website to explore support services, find support workers, learn about provider partnerships, and see how HireUp can support participants, families, and care teams across AustraliaIn this episode, Sarah sits down with Peter Willis, CEO of HireUp, to talk about leadership, support workers, provider growth, and the future of disability care in Australia. Peter shares his journey from consulting and public policy into the disability sector, how he worked his way through HireUp into the CEO role, and what it takes to lead one of Australia’s best-known support platforms. This conversation dives into NDIS leadership, support worker flexibility, provider partnerships, culture, aged care, workforce growth, AI in support work, and how HireUp is responding to sector change. Peter also talks about building strong teams, protecting culture as organisations grow, listening to feedback, and why support workers bring some of the most valuable real-world skills into the sector. If you are an NDIS participant, aged care participant, family member, support worker, provider, or someone looking for flexible support options, this episode gives you a real behind-the-scenes look at how HireUp thinks about quality support, worker choice, and the future of care. Want to learn more about HireUp?Visit the HireUp website to explore support services, find support workers, learn about provider partnerships, and see how HireUp can support participants, families, and care teams across Australia.

    54 min

  6. 17 APR

    The Support Workers Who Actually Change Lives (It’s Not What You Think)

    Not all support workers are the same. Some turn up… and some actually show up. In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers, Sarah talks about the real difference between average support and life-changing support. This isn’t about ticking boxes or following routines — it’s about being present, getting curious, and actually caring about the person in front of you. We cover: Turning up vs showing up as a support workerWhy curiosity is your biggest strengthHow to spot opportunities that aren’t written in a planSupporting independence in real, everyday momentsFollowing through and building trust over timeThis episode is for NDIS support workers who want to go beyond the basics and genuinely make an impact. Because the best support workers?They give a sh*t.

    5 min

  7. 15 APR

    Support Worker Guide: What to Do When a Participant Refuses Their Support Plan

    What should a support worker do when an NDIS participant says no to their support plan? In this episode, Sarah breaks down why participants say no, what support workers often get wrong, and how to respond in a way that respects choice and control while still doing your job well. She covers person-centred care, support plan flexibility, documentation, shift notes, patterns of refusal, when to involve a support coordinator, and how to protect yourself professionally. This is a practical episode for NDIS support workers who want to build trust, respond well in the moment, and support participants in a way that actually fits their life.

    8 min

  8. 13 APR

    "How Support Workers Are Using Community Events to Get More Participants | Cody Thompson

    In this episode, Sarah sits down with Cody Thompson, co-founder of Disability Events Community (DEC) and Aged Care Events Community (ACEC) — two fast-growing platforms connecting NDIS participants, aged care participants, providers, and support workers across Australia. From humble beginnings in Perth to hosting events across Australia, Cody shares how local community events are transforming how people find support, build connections, and grow in the disability and aged care sectors. You’ll learn: How community events are helping participants find the right supportsWhy networking matters more than ever in the NDIS and aged care sectorsHow providers can build real connections (not just collect business cards)The power of community-led events across AustraliaWhat’s next for Disability Events Community and Aged Care Events CommunityThe Disability Events Community (DEC) connects people living with disability, families, carers, and professionals with local, quality supports and services through accessible community expos across Australia. The Aged Care Events Community (ACEC) focuses on helping older Australians and their families connect with supports, services, and information in their local communities through smaller, more meaningful events. This conversation is packed with insights on community, connection, networking, and building meaningful relationships in the disability and aged care space. 🎟️ Disability Events Community 👉 https://www.thedec.com.au/ 🎟️ Aged Care Events Community 👉 https://www.theacec.com.au/ NDIS ParticipantAged Care ParticipantSupport WorkerProviderAllied HealthPlan ManagerSupport CoordinatorOr Anyone Passionate About Community

    55 min
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About

The podcast for NDIS support workers, disability support workers, and aged care workers in Australia. Hosted by Sarah Heriot — interviewing support workers, NDIS providers, disability sector founders, and care sector leaders. Get real insights on NDIS, disability support, and working in aged care. Support workers: find clients fast — sign up free at SwiftyMatchy.com and get matched with people who need your support today!

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