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. 5d ago

    Chosen Family, Real Belonging & the Support Work That Changes Lives

    In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers, Sarah chats with Traidy, founder of Chosen Family, about support work, advocacy, inclusion, and what it really means to create a place where people feel safe, seen, and supported. Traidy shares how he went from law, ministry, and community work into support work, and how one unexpected shift helped lead to the creation of Chosen Family. This conversation dives into LGBTQIA+ inclusion, cultural care, disability support, belonging, AI, leadership, and why good support work is never just “a shift.” It is connection, trust, choice, and sometimes helping someone build a whole new life. We also talk about the power of chosen family, why providers need to keep learning, and how support workers can make a real impact when they take the time to truly know the person in front of them. To learn more about Chosen Family, visit:https://www.chosen.family/

    45 min

  2. May 28

    Creating SIL Match: Helping People Find the Right Supported Living Arrangement

    In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers, I chat with Umberine Williams, founder of SIL Match, about her journey through the disability sector and why she created a platform to help people find better supported living matches. Umberine shares her background as a Local Area Coordinator, her volunteer work with the Office of the Public Advocate, and what she learned from seeing supported accommodation before and after the NDIS. We talk about the real challenges participants, families, support coordinators and providers face when trying to find the right SIL arrangement — because finding a house is one thing, but finding the right people to live with is a whole different story. We also unpack how SIL Match works, why profiles are anonymous, how matching is based on real preferences and support needs, and why participant choice and safety need to sit at the centre of everything. This is a great listen for support coordinators, SIL providers, participants, families, and anyone who cares about people living in homes that actually feel like home. Find SIL Match at silmatch.org or connect with Umberine on LinkedIn.

    41 min

  3. May 18

    Kindship CEO Hayley Thiele on NDIS Reforms, Parents and Plan Management

    In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers, I sit down with Hayley Thiele, CEO of Kindship, for a real and honest chat about NDIS changes, plan management, parenting, support workers, and what families are feeling right now. Hayley shares her story as a mum of three, her journey into the disability sector, and how her lived experience led her into support coordination and now Kindship. We talk about: NDIS reforms and why families are feeling overwhelmedWhat Kindship does for parents and carersWhy clear NDIS information mattersThe role of plan managersHow Kindship is building community and education for familiesWhy support workers are still the beating heart of good care This conversation is honest, easy to understand, and full of lived experience. No fear-mongering. No jargon soup. Just a real chat about what is happening in the NDIS and why families, providers and support workers need clear information more than ever. Learn more about Kindship here:https://www.kindship.com.au/supportpathways

    55 min

  4. May 14

    Keeley’s Cause: From School Exclusion to 691 iPads for Kids With Autism

    She Was Denied an iPad at School — Now Keeley’s Cause Has Helped 691 Kids With Autism In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers, Sarah chats with Sharon from Keeley’s Cause about the powerful story behind the charity changing lives through iPads, communication, and inclusive education. Keeley struggled through school, bullying, and being denied the technology that could have supported her learning. After receiving a diagnosis of mild intellectual disability, Keeley turned her pain into purpose and told her mum she wanted to start a charity so other children would not have to go through what she did. Today, Keeley’s Cause has provided 691 iPads to children with autism, intellectual disability, and communication needs across Australia. Sarah and Sharon talk about: How Keeley’s Cause startedWhy iPads can be life-changing for autistic and non-verbal childrenThe reality for families trying to access assistive technologyWhy inclusive education still has a long way to goThe emotional impact of giving children a way to communicateThe upcoming Keeley’s Cause Gala and how people can support This is a beautiful conversation about advocacy, disability, education, family, and what happens when one young person decides to make the world a little fairer. Support Keeley’s Cause:Website: keeleyscause.org.auInstagram/Facebook: Keeley’s Cause

    46 min

  5. May 7

    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

  6. May 6

    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

  7. May 4

    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

  8. Apr 28

    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
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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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