NDIS Support Coordination Q&A with Isabella

We asked Isabella, one of our Brisbane-based NDIS Support Coordinators, a few questions so you can get to know her before you reach out. 

What do you wish more NDIS participants knew about Support Coordination before reaching out?

That it’s not about taking over. A lot of people come to me feeling like they’ve lost control of their NDIS plan, or like decisions are being made around them rather than with them. My job is the opposite of that. I’m here to make sure you understand your options and feel confident in your choices. You’re still in control of everything, I’m just here to help make sense of it. 

What happens in the first meeting with a participant?

Mostly I listen. I want to understand what’s been happening, what’s working, what isn’t, and what matters most to you going forward. I’ll explain how support coordination works and what I can help with, but I try not to make it feel like an intake form. It’s more of a conversation. I’ve been told I have a pretty calming presence, which I think helps, especially when someone is coming to me feeling really overwhelmed. By the end we’ll have agreed on how we’ll communicate and what the next steps look like. Nothing moves forward without you being comfortable with it first. 

How do you know when your support is actually making a difference?

Sometimes it’s a big thing, someone gets into a program they’ve been trying to access for months, or they feel genuinely prepared for a plan review for the first time. But honestly, a lot of the time it’s smaller than that. I love when participants stand up for themselves and not just accept things the way they are or how people tell them how it should be. They are their biggest advocates and it’s amazing to work together to achieve what’s best for them, getting creative together and going outside the comfort zone. 

What drew you to support coordination?

I’d been working in disability services for a few years, and I kept seeing the same thing. People had funding, but they didn’t really understand what it covered or how to use it. Or they had services set up that just weren’t talking to each other. I wanted to be the person who helped with that — someone who could sit with you, explain things clearly, and actually follow through. That’s still what gets me out of bed in the morning, honestly. 

Where are you based and how do you work?

I’m based in Brisbane and I support participants across this region in person. I also work via telehealth, which suits a lot of people, particularly if getting to a meeting is difficult or you just prefer it. We can work out what suits you when you get in touch. 

Read Isabella’s biography here.

If you’d like to meet with Isabella, get in touch. There’s no obligation, just a conversation to see if CoAct Support Coordination is the right fit for you.