Sarah Knows Support Workers

Sarah Heriot
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Welcome to Sarah Knows Support Workers! 🎙️ I’m Sarah Heriot. After 17 years in disability support, I’ve seen the good, the messy and the stuff nobody wants to talk about! Join me for honest conversations about support work, NDIS, disability and aged care, with frontline workers, providers, founders and sector leaders. Want more? Explore my Spotify memberships for bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes stories and deeper leadership conversations. Looking for a better support match? Join SwiftyMatchy for free at SwiftyMatchy.com 💚

  1. 2 days ago

    NDIS Kickbacks Banned: What Every Support Worker Needs to Know!

    Referral fees, gift cards, kickbacks and conflicts of interest. Where do we draw the line in the NDIS? New laws targeting kickbacks and inducements are coming into effect in November 2026. And whether you're an independent support worker, support coordinator or NDIS provider, this is something you need to understand. In this solo episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers, Sarah breaks down what the changes mean in easy English. We're talking about: What kickbacks and inducements actually mean. When a referral payment could become a problem. What independent support workers and providers need to know. Whether gifts, discounts and business promotions are still allowed. Why conflicts of interest matter. What could happen if providers break the rules. How to report concerns to the NDIS Commission. Because here's the thing: a participant is not a sales opportunity to be traded between businesses. There's nothing wrong with building relationships, recommending great providers or growing your business. But participant choice should always come first. Good referrals should be about finding the right support, not receiving a financial reward. 🎧 Have a listen and ask yourself: where should we draw the line between a genuine referral and a kickback? Want to read the official information? NDIS Code of Conduct:https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/ndis-code-conduct Australian Government legislation:https://www.legislation.gov.au Search for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Act 2026. This episode provides general information and is not legal advice. #NDIS #SupportWorkers #NDISProviders #DisabilitySupport #SupportCoordination #NDISReforms #SarahKnowsSupportWorkers

  2. 4 days ago

    9,351 NDIS review applications in one year. A growing backlog. And longer waiting times. What's going on?

    The Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) has released its 2025–26 Annual Report, and some of the NDIS figures are worth paying attention to. In this solo episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers, I'm breaking down the report in easy English. No complicated government jargon, just the facts. We're talking about: Why NDIS review applications have increased by 130% in two years. The 7,077 cases still waiting to be finalised. Why the median waiting time has increased to 34 weeks. What it means when 65% of cases are resolved by consent. Changes to how NDIS access reviews involving young children are prioritised. These aren't just numbers. Behind these applications are people with disabilities, families and people supporting them. But don't just take my word for it. Read the report yourself! 📖 Official source: Administrative Review Tribunal Annual Report 2025–26 https://www.art.gov.au/sites/default/files/2026-10/Administrative%20Review%20Tribunal%20Annual%20Report%202025-26.pdf See pages 72 and 208 for the key NDIS findings and statistics. 🎙️ My question to you: Are we paying enough attention to how many NDIS decisions are being challenged? #NDIS #DisabilitySupport #SupportWorkers #NDISReviews #SarahKnowsSupportWorkers

  3. 19 Oct

    Dating, Drinking & Disability: Let's Talk About It | Samantha Prior

    What was it really like growing up with a rare disability in Australia during the 1990s? In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers, I sit down with Samantha Prior (Sam), who was one of the first people in Australia diagnosed with the ultra-rare condition MPS VI, also known as Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome. And trust me, Sam has some stories to tell! From growing up with a disability and dealing with school bullying to dating, nightclubs, relationships and finding her independence, Sam shares the good, the bad and the moments that shaped her life. We talk about: 💬 Growing up disabled in the 90s and fighting for inclusion. ❤️ Dating, relationships and the stigma around disability. 🚨 A frightening nightclub experience involving a stranger. 🏠 Moving out, accessing the NDIS and finding a home that truly suits her. 💪 Why being called "inspiring" isn't always a compliment. ✨ Why people with disabilities deserve the freedom to make their own choices, take risks and live their lives. Sam also shares why parents and support workers need to stop wrapping people with disabilities in cotton wool. This episode is full of humour, honesty, some wild stories and important conversations about disability, dignity, independence and choice. Because having a disability doesn't mean missing out on life. 🎙️ Listen to Sarah Knows Support Workers and join the conversation. ❤️ Follow, subscribe and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.

  4. 15 Oct

    A Mother’s Perspective: Mental Health, Advocacy & Hope | Kym McMinn

    ⚠️ Content Warning: This episode includes personal discussions about suicide, suicide attempts, self-harm, mental illness and experiences of hearing voices. Please take care while listening. In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers, I sit down with Kym McMinn, founder of T&K Support Services, for a deeply personal conversation about family, mental health, advocacy and hope. Following my conversation with her son, Lachy, we hear the story from a mother's perspective. Kym opens up about her family's experience navigating the mental health system, the challenges they faced, and how those experiences shaped her approach to supporting others. We talk about the importance of recognising when someone is struggling, the challenges of accessing mental health services, the impact on families, and why listening without judgement can make such a difference. Kym also shares how her experiences helped shape T&K Support Services, her passion for mental health education, the Hearing Voices support group and her belief in putting identity before diagnosis. This is a conversation about more than the difficult moments. It's about learning, community, finding your voice and the importance of having people who will stand beside you. Thank you, Kym, for trusting me with such a personal part of your family's story. If this episode brings up difficult feelings, support is available in Australia: Lifeline: 13 11 14 Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000. You don't have to navigate difficult times alone.

  5. 14 Oct

    Beyond the Diagnosis: Lachy's Journey from Lived Experience to Advocacy

    Identity before diagnosis. A message that sits at the heart of Lachlan's story. In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers, Sarah is joined by Lachlan for an open and meaningful conversation about lived experience, mental health, the NDIS and the importance of seeing the person beyond their diagnosis. Lachlan shares his personal experiences of receiving mental health support, navigating the NDIS as a participant and how those experiences have helped shape his approach to working in the disability sector today. One particularly meaningful part of Lachlan's journey is reconnecting with Prue, a nurse who supported him during his time in psychiatric care. Years later, they found themselves working as colleagues and recently shared the stage at a mental health conference, bringing together two perspectives on the same experience. Throughout the conversation, Lachlan offers valuable insights into what meaningful support can look like, including the importance of listening, creating safe spaces, respecting individual experiences and understanding that sometimes simply being present can make a difference. We also explore the work being done through T&K Support Services, the value of peer connection through the Hearing Voices group, and Lachlan's passion for using music as a way to connect with and support others. Beyond his professional work, Lachlan shares what matters most to him, including his family, becoming a father and his hopes of one day establishing Second Chances Studio, a recording space where people can explore their creativity and express themselves through music. This episode highlights the value of lived experience in shaping better services, challenging assumptions and creating a more person-centred approach to mental health and disability support. Lachlan's story is his own, and we're grateful to him for choosing to share his experiences, perspectives and aspirations with our community. Whether you're a support worker, NDIS participant, provider, family member or someone interested in understanding different lived experiences, we hope this conversation encourages reflection on how we listen, connect and support one another. 🎧 Follow Sarah Knows Support Workers for real conversations and diverse perspectives from across the disability and NDIS sector. Content note: This episode includes discussions about mental health, psychiatric hospitalisation, hearing voices, substance use and homelessness. #SarahKnowsSupportWorkers #LivedExperience #IdentityBeforeDiagnosis #MentalHealth

  6. 12 Oct

    NDIS Christmas Rostering: Plan Now, Avoid the Chaos!

    Christmas is coming… and if you work in NDIS rostering, you know the chaos can start well before December! 🎄😂 Annual leave, public holidays, staff shortages, changing participant routines and those dreaded last-minute cancellations. Sound familiar? In this solo episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers, I'm sharing what I'd be doing RIGHT NOW to prepare an NDIS roster for Christmas, New Year's and January. Drawing on my own experience in disability rostering, we're talking about staff availability, annual leave planning, participant choice, keeping your CRM accurate, checking SCHADS Award conditions and making sure you've got a backup plan when things go sideways. Because good rostering isn't just about filling shifts. It's about communication, preparation and making sure the people we support receive consistent, quality care. My biggest tip? The work you do in October can save you a whole lot of headaches in December! 🎧 Whether you're a support worker, roster coordinator, team leader or NDIS provider, this episode is for you. 💬 Tell me: What's the biggest Christmas rostering disaster you've ever experienced? Because I reckon we've all got a story! 😂 #NDIS #SupportWorkers #NDISRostering #DisabilitySupport #SCHADSAward #SarahKnowsSupportWorkers

  7. 5 Oct

    Whistleblowing in the NDIS: What Happens When Speaking Up Is the Only Option?

    What happens when you’ve reported concerns, followed the right processes, raised complaints… and nothing changes? In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers, I’m joined again by Belinda Toohey for a very real conversation about whistleblowing in the disability sector. Belinda shares lived experiences from her career, including situations where people with disability were allegedly prevented from leaving services they no longer wanted, concerns around NDIS funding and providers, and what it can take to keep pushing when someone’s rights or safety are at risk. We also talk about what support workers can actually do when something doesn’t feel right — starting with knowing your policies, procedures and Code of Conduct, documenting concerns, speaking up, and knowing when concerns may need to be escalated to regulators, police or other appropriate authorities. Most importantly, this episode is about the people we support. Because support workers are often the eyes and ears on the ground. And sometimes doing the right thing means being willing to say: “No. This isn’t okay.” Belinda’s advice is pretty simple: do the right thing, trust your gut, find people with integrity, and don’t stay silent just because speaking up feels uncomfortable. Pasted text ⚠️ Content warning: This episode discusses alleged abuse, exploitation, restrictive practices, sexual exploitation and other distressing situations involving people with disability. 🎧 Sarah Knows Support WorkersReal conversations about support work, the NDIS, disability and all the messy stuff in between.

  8. 5 Oct

    Are You a Good Support Worker… or Just a Nice Person?

    Being kind matters. But kindness alone doesn’t make you a great support worker. In this episode, I’m talking about the difference between being a lovely person and actually being good at the job. We’re talking about reliability, case notes, communication, boundaries, professional judgement, independence, knowing when to speak up, and actually understanding what the person you support wants from their life. Because you can be fun. You can be caring. You can remember the coffee order. You can be the favourite support worker. But if you’re always late, never write useful notes, blur boundaries, or make someone more dependent on you… we need to have a chat. 😂 The sweet spot?Be kind and professional.Be fun and reliable.Be caring and know your role. That’s what makes a bloody good support worker.

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About

Welcome to Sarah Knows Support Workers! 🎙️ I’m Sarah Heriot. After 17 years in disability support, I’ve seen the good, the messy and the stuff nobody wants to talk about! Join me for honest conversations about support work, NDIS, disability and aged care, with frontline workers, providers, founders and sector leaders. Want more? Explore my Spotify memberships for bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes stories and deeper leadership conversations. Looking for a better support match? Join SwiftyMatchy for free at SwiftyMatchy.com 💚

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