Mable - 2, 3, 60

That was until they discovered Mable, a website which enables people seeking support to find and connect with independent support workers from their community. They can choose and build a support team based on qualifications, skills and even interests and personality. They connected with Sophie, who has qualifications in speech pathology, and found that she shared the family’s values and was able to connect well with Angus.

Vanessa and Angus shared the goals they had decided on with Sophie, who also liaises with Angus’s psychologist and other professionals. The pair did a lot of work in preparation for the start of the school year, with Angus learning to plan his space so it would be conducive to homework, learning how to make school lunches for himself and going shopping for books and stationery needs. They also practised routines so that by day one of the new school year, Angus was not only ready, but excited about school.

Since Angus has been working with Sophie, Vanessa has received very positive feedback on his grades and his improvements in class, and excellent feedback from his therapists as well.

“What used to be chaotic and difficult has now become a pleasure, and Angus is thriving,” Vanessa says. “He’s now better at problemsolving, is much more independent and he’s able to approach with confidence, situations that he used to struggle with. Angus’s younger brothers, one of whom is also on the spectrum, are noticing the changes and doing better too.”

When asked for tips on finding the right support, Vanessa was clear. “You have to have some ‘not negotiables’,” she says. “They must be insured and have Working With Children and Police Checks, and Mable has all that organised. Also, we want to be in control. We love Angus’s unique view of the world so we didn’t want him just to learn skills so he could conform to the norm. We want Angus’s support workers to be on his team, to celebrate him and help him achieve what he wants to achieve.”

Vanessa and her partner appreciate that Mable empowers them with choice. They believe that being able to choose independent support workers that are a good fit and who provide continuity has been key to how far Angus has come.

The couple have also been able to see how important it is for Angus to receive support from others.

“We’re told we can be all things to our children but in these circumstances, you can’t. You have to figure out what you can focus on and deliver and where you need support for someone else to come and do that.”

At first, we took the traditional therapeutic approach and engaged a number of therapists, which was fine for a time, but we noticed that when it comes to the theory of his needs, he understands it.

Learn more and start searching for support workers in your area at Mable.com.au

Support Options for school leavers with a disability OC Connections has a range of support options for school leavers with disability to assist with the transition from school life to the adult world. The type of supports you choose will depend on your goals, interests, support needs and funding. Learn Life Skills, Pursue Hobbies And Make Friends At OC Connections, with our My Days activities we can support you to: ■ Explore creative pursuits while working on motor skills, decision making, communication, making friends and engaging with staff and volunteers. ■ Develop new skills such as teamwork, organisational skills, leadership, literacy and independence through community interaction, volunteering, working as a team, exploring

Melbourne and its surrounds. ■ Focus on your health and fitness while having fun with friends. ■ Make connections and meet new people in group activities. Develop Work Skills, Trial Employment Options, Get A Job If getting a job is important to you, OCC Enterprises can assist you to: ■ Explore employment options ■ Development employment plans ■ Identify goals, support needs and learning requirements ■ Provide on-the-job training ■ Develop your job ready skills ■ Place you in supported employment Build Independence, Explore Living Options If you aspire to live independently, there are a variety of supported community living options on offer from OC Connections for people with disability.

If you would like to work towards building your independent living skills so you can one day move into a home of your own, you may wish to explore our Short Term Accommodation (or respite care).

As well as “time-out”, Short Term Accommodation (STA) provides a chance for you to foster friendships, learn new living skills, independence and participate in communitybased activities.

Our In home support options can also help you develop your personal and independent skills by providing assistance in your day-to-day living tasks in your family home or other accommodation, so you can choose how to live the life you want.

Our In home support options can also help you develop your personal and independent skills by providing assistance in your day-to-day living tasks in your family home...

Do You Need Assistance In Exploring The Support Options Available To You? Navigating the NDIS and the numerous support options available outside of school can be tricky. That is why it is a good idea to speak to your planner or Support Coordinator to help determine the best support to meet your needs.

Our independent Support Coordinators can work with you to connect you with providers that best meet your needs. Your goals might reflect one, two, or all three of the above and you may choose to use a range of our supports to work towardsyour goals. In all of our programs, OC Connections provides supports for school leavers designed to deliver the following outcomes: ■ Increased independence ■ Capacity and skills building ■ Increased social and community participation ■ Confidence building ■ Support of lifelong learning and growth Explore our School Leaver options to find out more: www.occonnections.org/post-school-support P: 9569 0603 E: enquiries@occonnections.org

How Cameron gained his independence with NDIS plan management CAMERON loves music, socialising and meeting people. The young man year old also adores soccer and is a dedicated supporter of Melbourne City Football Club.

Cameron has many complex needs and has been using Windermere’s NDIS Plan Management services for several years. Having plan management ensures that Cameron and his family do not have to constantly worry about ensuring that all of his 21 service providers are all paid correctly and on time.

“It was such hard work just trying to coordinate Cameron’s NDIS plan. To work out the financial side of things as well would just have been impossible for us,” says Jenine, Cameron’s mother.

The Plan Management service includes processing payments, doing budgets, developing regular statements as well as making sure all Cameron’s service providers, which include five personal carers (all sole traders), are paid correctly.

“It’s just such a relief to have someone we can trust manage Cameron’s plan. It means we have time to spend with the family. We also have faith we can employ our service providers as the system really works with Windermere and all of Cameron’s providers get paid,” says Jenine.

The family recommend plan management to others who are in similar positions. “If you are time poor or don’t want to manage budgets then plan management is fantastic,” says Jenine.

“We are very fortunate to have Alanka, (Windermere Plan Manager) on board. She does an excellent job with managing Cameron’s individual funds and answering our questions. Nothing is any trouble for her and without being able to contact her, we would be in a mess,” says Jenine. Helping your child’s development Early Intervention and Therapy Services are designed to support your child’s development, growth and wellbeing.

These individualised support services are for children who need support to reach key developmental milestones or have additional needs.

If your child is 12 years or younger they may be eligible to access Early Intervention and Therapy Services under the NDIS if they have a diagnosed developmental delay or disability.

When you receive NDIS early intervention and therapies from Windermere you will be given a keyworker as your one, easy point of contact. Your keyworker will use our team’s combined expertise and resources to provide you with the services and advice that you need. How can NDIS Plan Management help my child? An NDIS Plan Manager, also known as a Financial Intermediary, can also help to take the stress out of managing the financial aspects of your child’s NDIS plan. This can be particularly beneficial if you are accessing a combination of services or therapies.

“Good plan managers can really make a difference to people who are juggling many NDIS services as they ensure your providers are paid correctly and on time,” says Emmanuel Bour, NDIS Manager at Windermere. An NDIS Plan Manger can help you to: ■ organise payments to your NDIS providers ■ help you keep track of your NDIS funds and spending ■ take care of your NDIS financial reporting requirements.

If you think having an NDIS plan manager would help you, then you can request funds for Plan Management services to be included when you are finalising your NDIS plan with the NDIA.

To use Windermere’s Plan Management (Financial Intermediary) services you simply use the funding allocated for this in your approved NDIS Plan. More information Windermere is registered with the NDIA and provides a range of services to support early childhood development. Contact our friendly team for more information. We are happy to answer your questions. Call 1300 946 337 Email ndis@windermere.org.au www.windermere.org.au

Alkira Centre ................................................................ 50 & 51 Ascot Vale Special School ................................................. 4 Aurora School ........................................................................... 5 Bayley House ............................................................... 52 & 53 Bayside Special Developmental School ................... 6 Belmore School ........................................................... 7, 8 & 9 Bendigo Special Developmental School ............... 11 Berendale Special School ...................................... 12 & 13 Biala – Peninsula ................................................................... 55 Bulleen Heights School .......................................... 14 & 15 Cheshire School .......................................................... 16 & 17 Dandenong Valley Special Developmental School ........................................... 18 & 19 Empowering students with Down Syndrome ..... 44 Encompass Community Services .................... 56 & 57 Glenallen School .................................................................. 21 Hume Valley School ................................................ 22 & 23 Interact Australia ...................................................... 58 & 59 Jacana School for Autism .................................... 24 & 25 Mable ...................................................................... 2, 3, 60 & 61 Marnebek School ...................................................... 28 & 29 Monash Special Developmental School ...... 30 & 31 Mornington Special Developmental ............. 32 & 33 Mt Erin College .......................................................... 26 & 27 Naranga School .......................................................... 34 & 35 Nepean Special School .......................................... 36 & 37 Northern School for Autism ............................... 38 & 39 OC Connections ........................................................ 62 & 63 Officer Special Developmental School ........ 40 & 41 Products & Services ............................................................ 49 South Gippsland Special School ................................ 42 Springvale Park Special Developmental School ..................................................... 43 St Paul’s College - Villa Maria Catholic Homes .................................................. 46, 47 & 67 Sunbury Macedon Ranges Special School .......... 45 Victoria School Guides Website ................................. 10 Windermere Child & Family Services ...... 64, 65 & 68 Yarrabah School ................................................................... 48

Next edition: July 2022

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