Sarah Knows Support Workers

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 overwhelmed What Kindship does for parents and carers Why clear NDIS information matters The role of plan managers How Kindship is building community and education for families Why 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 [https://www.kindship.com.au/supportpathways]

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 started Why iPads can be life-changing for autistic and non-verbal children The reality for families trying to access assistive technology Why inclusive education still has a long way to go The emotional impact of giving children a way to communicate The 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.au Instagram/Facebook: Keeley’s Cause

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.

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

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 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-hoskin-a6a8bb391/]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