ACFE ......................................................................................................12

Brent has developed his communication skills while participating in ACFE online

Support Coordination

The past year has seen some big changes to the Support Coordination team with the team growing from three part-time staff members to two full-time and two parttime. This growth has been in response to an increased client demand, with team members collectively supporting over 100 Support Coordination clients. Client growth is generally from word of mouth referrals, and via NDIS referrals.

Prior to this financial year the team was only able to support clients aged over 18, however, the organisation is now able to extend these services to support NDIS clients as young as seven years.

The team supports a total of 137 clients, 67 males and 60 females. Clients ages range from eight years to 68 years with half of the clients aged between 36 to 55 years.

Support Coordination Clients by Gender

6760

67 60

67 60

FEMALE MALE

FEMALE MALE

FEMALE MALE

The COVID-19 pandemic has created some challenges for the team with numerous lockdowns in Victoria creating an influx in demand from clients needing additional support, including respite, during the lockdown periods. The Support Coordinators have noticed that many of the clients have felt less motivated and sad at times as they have found it difficult to understand why they’re unable to attend their regular programs.

Support Coordination Clients by Age

21 4

3 2114 4

3

14

27 27

34 23

34 23

AGE AGE 7 to 18 19 to 257 to 18 26 to 3519 to 25 36 to 4526 to 35 36 to 45

46 to 55 56 to 6546 to 55 66+56 to 65 66+

The complexities of the NDIS has created challenges for Support Coordinators with changes to rules and conflicting information the system can be very difficult to navigate. It can be hard to get the correct information which can lead to frustration and confusion. There have also been delays in getting equipment to effectively support clients. This is across the board, and not only an issue for MiLife-Victoria, but for all Support Coordinators throughout Australia.

The Support Coordination team itself has faced its own challenges having to work from home, with new team members

joining the organisation while the state was enduring months of lockdown in 2020. Many team meetings and client meetings have been conducted over the phone or online, without the ability to have face-to-face meetings. This in itself can be challenging in forming relationships and having the ability to work as a team, collaborate and share ideas and information.

Despite the challenges, the team has had some very rewarding experiences which should be celebrated. There have been great wins in finding supported independent living for clients who have desperately needed to change their living circumstances. The positives that have come from these outcomes have led to increased happiness, improved mental health, learning new skills and capacity building.

There have also been clients who, as a result of the support they’re now receiving, are able to access allied health professionals such as Occupational Therapist, Speech Pathologists and Physiotherapy leading to massive improvements.

Corey enjoys coming to MiLife and participating in different activities