Sarah Knows Support Workers

SUPPORT WORKER STORE
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Sarah Knows Support Workers with Sarah Heriot is the podcast breaking down the NDIS with real talk, hot tips, and zero fluff. Expect interviews with founders, NDIS business owners, and sector leaders — plus the questions support workers actually want answered. From day-to-day challenges to industry changes, drama, rants, and honest insights, this pod helps support workers and NDIS businesses level up fast.

  1. 13H AGO

    How Podcasting Unlocks Hidden Opportunities for Disability Service Providers

    Unlock the secret to thriving in the disability sector with a veteran who’s been on the frontlines for 15 years. Solomon shares how genuine relationships, authentic marketing, and a deep passion for supporting others can elevate your impact—and your career. If you're a support worker, provider, or aspiring leader feeling overwhelmed by industry changes and the hype around marketing, this episode is your game-changer.Discover how support work is more than just a job—it's a calling that builds capacity, fosters trust, and transforms lives. Solomon opens up about his journey from support worker to head of community engagement, revealing why real connection beats algorithms every time. You’ll learn powerful strategies for building trust online and offline, leveraging personal branding ethically, and creating content that resonates with the people you serve—not just your peers.We break down practical tactics like how support workers can showcase their expertise through authentic storytelling, the importance of relationship-building in a competitive sector, and why supporting independence should always be the goal. Solomon emphasizes the critical role of empathy, intentionality, and collaboration—because in this sector, kindness and connection are your greatest assets.Why does all this matter? Because the future of the NDIS sector hinges on unity, innovation, and genuine engagement. As funding faces scrutiny and the landscape shifts, those who foster trust and showcase real impact will thrive. This episode isn’t just theory—it’s a call to action for anyone committed to making a difference, ensuring the community sector remains sustainable and person-centered.Ready to elevate your support role and harness the power of authentic marketing? Tune in for insights that will reshape how you see your work—and the impact you can make. Whether you’re an experienced support worker or new to the sector, this episode is essential listening for building a meaningful, impactful career in the community space.

    1 hr

  2. 3D AGO

    The Product Revolution Changing Disability & Aged Care | Bec Parry

    What if something as simple as the right product could restore someone’s dignity? In this episode, we go behind the scenes with Bec Parry, co-founder of InCare Supports, to talk about how everyday essentials are quietly transforming disability and aged care across Australia. From colourful continence products to adaptive clothing that actually looks good and works properly, Bec shares how practical design choices can boost confidence, reduce stigma, and give people back a sense of independence. After supply issues left participants without basic items, Bec and her team stepped up. What started with a small product range has grown into thousands of carefully sourced items focused on quality, trust and choice. We unpack: • Why vibrant and patterned continence products can positively impact dignity and mental health • How InCare sources and tests ethical, reliable suppliers • The real-life difference adaptive clothing makes, from magnet buttons to leak-proof fabrics • Practical ideas for support workers building emergency kits that support independence • Why innovation in care must stay human, not just tech-driven This conversation challenges outdated thinking around personal care and incontinence. It normalises real-life needs and reminds us that products aren’t “just products” — they shape identity, confidence and daily experience. If you’re a support worker, provider, family member or anyone working in the sector, this episode will give you practical insight and fresh perspective on how thoughtful design can genuinely improve quality of life. Press play to hear how simple products are helping change care across Australia. Guest Bec Parry is the Co-Founder and Director of InCare Supports, bringing over a decade of experience in the disability sector. She’s passionate about restoring dignity, promoting independence, and making sure practical support actually feels good, looks good and works in real life.

    37 min
  3. Growth Strategies with Chris Lupa

    3D AGO

    Growth Strategies with Chris Lupa

    Are you ready to unlock the secret to sustainable growth in the complex world of NDIS and disability services? What if a single shift in your marketing mindset could transform your provider business from struggling to thriving? This episode with Chris Lapa, founder of the Growth Academy, reveals the counterintuitive strategies that help providers stand out, connect deeply with stakeholders, and build systems that grow without burnout.Chris shares his 15-year journey in marketing, his pivot into the NDIS space, and how he helps providers navigate the maze of social channels, inquiry management, and brand positioning — all while staying authentic. You’ll discover why starting with one platform and focusing on mastery beats spreading yourself too thin, how understanding your customer’s stakeholder landscape unlocks new avenues for referrals, and why structured inquiry processes can dramatically increase client conversions.We break down practical tactics like leveraging Google Ads for immediate presence, shifting from traditional social media to media platforms like LinkedIn, and creating a foundation of confidence for new providers entering a competitive market. Chris shares insights on building a personal versus business brand, the importance of consistency and messaging, and how to harness AI tools to streamline your marketing efforts. Plus, he offers a sneak peek into the upcoming full-day branding workshops designed to make providers stand out in a sea of sameness.If you’re a provider feeling overwhelmed by marketing choices or stuck with how to convert inquiries into loyal clients, this episode is your blueprint for smarter, scalable growth. For established providers looking to refine their systems or new entrants needing foundational guidance, Chris’s transparent, experience-backed advice can save you time, money, and stress.Tune in, level up your understanding of growth in the NDIS sector, and learn how to make your marketing efforts work harder — so you can focus on what matters most: delivering exceptional care and creating a sustainable, profitable business.

    51 min

  4. FEB 24

    The Most Powerful Choice in Disability Care Is Who Shows Up

    We talk about plans.We talk about funding.We talk about hours, policies, compliance, risk. But the most powerful decision in disability care isn’t written on any form. It’s who walks through the front door. In this solo episode, Sarah shares a raw and honest perspective from more than 15 years in the disability sector. Why two people with the same funding can live completely different lives. Why availability is not the same as suitability. And why one wrong match can undo months of progress — while one right match can build confidence and change someone’s daily experience of the world. Disability care is not a technical job.It’s a relationship job. This episode challenges how we recruit, roster, retain and match support workers. It invites providers and leaders to rethink what “choice and control” really means. Because care isn’t interchangeable.And neither are the humans who deliver it. If you work in the NDIS or disability sector, this conversation matters.

    5 min

  5. FEB 16

    Youth Mentor Queen 👑 | Building a Trauma-Informed NDIS Empire for Young People

    In this powerful episode, I sit down with Yosmerys Aparicio Cuencas — founder of Supporting Communities Australia and self-declared “Youth Mentor Queen.” Yosmerys shares her journey from disability support worker to CEO, and how her background in criminology and youth work shaped her trauma-informed mentoring model, Elevate Youth Lab. We talk about: • Youth mentoring in the NDIS • Supporting young people with disability and trauma backgrounds • Capacity building and confidence • Female leadership in the disability sector • Transitioning from support worker to business owner • Building strong support worker teams • Mental health and community support Yosmerys opens up about the challenges of leadership, the lessons she learned in major organisations, and why everything she does is intentional. Her goal? To reach 300,000 young people in 50 years. This conversation is for: Support workers, NDIS providers, youth workers, founders, female leaders, and anyone passionate about building strong communities. If you believe choice, trauma-informed care, and real empowerment matter in the disability sector — this episode is for you. 🎧 Listen on Spotify 📺 Watch on YouTube 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with leaders in disability support

    41 min

  6. FEB 9

    Stop Posting for Posting’s Sake: Ethical NDIS Marketing That Works with Michelle Flynn

    In this episode I sit down with Michelle Flynn, Growth & Marketing Manager at aryse (https://aryse.com.au/) — a service doing great things in the disability space. Michelle unpacks what ethical, effective marketing really means in an industry where trust and connection matter more than slick ads. We get honest about: ✨ Why emotional, values-based messaging will always beat hype ✨ The difference between posting content for the sake of it vs content with purpose ✨ How your team’s behaviour out in the community is your most powerful marketing tool ✨ Balancing creative ambition with clear strategy and outcomes ✨ How to scale, delegate and lead without losing your brand’s heart ✨ The importance of real stories that humanise your service ✨ And the marketing mistake that involved 2,000 mousepads with the wrong name 😅 If you’re a provider, business leader, support worker, marketer or anyone wanting to grow in the NDIS sector with integrity — this one will give you practical takeaways, grounded insights, and a fresh way to think about promotion in a space that’s not always “sexy,” but absolutely essential. Find aryse + connect with Michelle on LinkedIn to continue the conversation and keep learning.

    48 min

  7. FEB 5

    The Hidden SIL Problem No One Is Talking About: Rostering & Claiming

    Running a SIL service and feel like you’re constantly juggling rosters, funding, staff needs, and compliance… and still wondering if you’re getting it right? You’re not alone — and you’re not failing. In this episode, Sarah chats with Josh Pix from Resolv, a team that works alongside SIL providers across Australia to fix one of the biggest hidden problems in the sector: rostering and claiming that doesn’t actually match participant funding. We talk about:• Why SIL rostering is one of the hardest jobs in the NDIS• How “being nice” and adding extra hours can quietly cost providers thousands• The real impact of incorrect rostering on participants and staff• Why leadership in disability looks different (and starts with kindness)• What a SIL “health check” actually looks at• Why even experienced providers get this wrong — and why that’s okay Josh shares insights from working with hundreds of providers and explains why this isn’t about working harder — it’s about having the right systems and support in place. If you’ve ever cried over a roster, worried about funding gaps, or felt like SIL is an impossible puzzle… this episode will make you feel seen — and give you a clearer path forward. 🎧 Perfect for SIL providers, service managers, team leaders, and anyone responsible for rostering or compliance in the NDIS space.

    46 min

  8. JAN 25

    From Mugs to Matchmaking: A Support Worker Tale

    I’m not great at elevator pitches — and honestly, I don’t want to be. I’m better at listening.Listening to why you do what you do.How you got here.And what actually matters to you. In this episode, I share the real story behind Support Worker Store — how it accidentally turned three years old, how it started while I was pregnant with my third child, and how it evolved from funny support-worker mugs into something much bigger. We talk about:✨ Playing too small (and realising it)✨ Building a brand while pivoting… a lot✨ The podcast journey (70+ episodes in — wild)✨ Why matching matters in disability support✨ The origin story of Swifty Matchy (yes, inspired by reality TV 👀)✨ And why “that’s not what I ordered” is something too many NDIS participants feel This isn’t a polished pitch.It’s the honest, messy, values-driven version. If you work in the NDIS, care about quality support, or just love a good origin story — this one’s for you. 👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments👍 Like if this resonated🔔 Subscribe for more real conversations from inside the sector — Sarah

    4 min
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About

Sarah Knows Support Workers with Sarah Heriot is the podcast breaking down the NDIS with real talk, hot tips, and zero fluff. Expect interviews with founders, NDIS business owners, and sector leaders — plus the questions support workers actually want answered. From day-to-day challenges to industry changes, drama, rants, and honest insights, this pod helps support workers and NDIS businesses level up fast.

Information

  • Creator
    SUPPORT WORKER STORE
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    89
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © SUPPORT WORKER STORE
  • Show Website
    Sarah Knows Support Workers

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