Building With Strength

Building With Strength Michelle Garland
NDIS Support Navigator and Consultant
South Coast NSW.

💙 Building Systems That Support You, Not Just the NDISIt’s easy to get caught up in paperwork, compliance and keeping up...
09/09/2026

💙 Building Systems That Support You, Not Just the NDIS

It’s easy to get caught up in paperwork, compliance and keeping up with NDIS requirements.

But the best systems don’t just help you meet NDIS obligations—they make your entire business or support role easier, more efficient and less stressful.

Strong systems save time, reduce mistakes and allow you to focus on what really matters: supporting participants.

Here are a few systems worth investing in:

✅ A consistent process for onboarding new participants.

✅ Templates for service agreements, reports and everyday documentation.

✅ A simple filing system so important information is easy to find.

✅ A diary or task management system to keep track of appointments, reviews and follow-ups.

✅ Clear communication processes with participants, families and other providers.

✅ Regular reviews of your systems to identify what’s working and what could be improved.

The goal isn’t to create more paperwork—it’s to create systems that work for you.

At Building With Strength, we help providers and independent support workers develop practical, sustainable systems that improve efficiency, support compliance and reduce the day-to-day overwhelm of running an NDIS business.

Because when your systems work well, you have more time and energy to do what you do best—support people.

Who pays for continence supports – the NDIS or the health system?Continence supports can be confusing because responsibi...
08/09/2026

Who pays for continence supports – the NDIS or the health system?

Continence supports can be confusing because responsibility is shared between the health system and the NDIS.

The Australian health system funds the diagnosis and treatment of incontinence, along with many medications and schemes such as the Continence Aids Payment Scheme and Stoma Appliance Scheme. The NDIS only funds continence supports when they are directly related to a person’s disability and meet the NDIS funding criteria.

Depending on individual circumstances, the NDIS may fund:
🚻 Continence products such as pads, nappies, liners and bed protection
🩺 Continence assessments and reviews by a continence nurse or other qualified health professional
👩‍⚕️ Support workers or nurses to assist with disability-related continence needs
📚 Training for support workers, family or carers where appropriate
👶 Additional continence supports for children whose needs are significantly greater than expected for their age because of disability

Evidence is essential. A continence assessment and reports from an appropriately qualified health professional help demonstrate how a person’s disability impacts their continence needs and why the requested supports are reasonable and necessary.

Understanding the difference between health supports and disability supports can make a significant difference when preparing evidence and navigating the NDIS.

What Makes a Good Support Team?The best support teams aren’t made up of the biggest organisations or the longest list of...
07/09/2026

What Makes a Good Support Team?

The best support teams aren’t made up of the biggest organisations or the longest list of providers—they’re made up of people who work well together with you at the centre.

A strong support team should:

• Listen to your goals and respect your choices.
• Communicate openly and professionally with you and each other.
• Understand their role and stay within their scope of practice.
• Be reliable, consistent and responsive.
• Work collaboratively to help you achieve the best possible outcomes.

Every provider brings different skills, but when everyone shares information appropriately, respects each other’s expertise and focuses on your goals, the whole team becomes stronger.

Remember, you’re an important member of your own support team. Your voice, preferences and decisions should guide the supports you receive.

At Building With Strength, we help participants build teams that communicate well, work collaboratively and keep the focus where it belongs—on achieving meaningful outcomes that matter to you.

A great support team doesn’t just provide services—it works together to help you succeed.

🌿 Monday Motivation 🌿“Purpose gives ordinary days extraordinary meaning.”Keep connected to your “why”. When you remember...
06/09/2026

🌿 Monday Motivation 🌿

“Purpose gives ordinary days extraordinary meaning.”

Keep connected to your “why”. When you remember what you’re working towards, even the smallest steps become meaningful. 💚

💙 Moving from “Just Getting By” to Feeling Confident in Your WorkWe’ve all been there.Starting out in the disability sec...
02/09/2026

💙 Moving from “Just Getting By” to Feeling Confident in Your Work

We’ve all been there.

Starting out in the disability sector can feel overwhelming. There are new systems to learn, NDIS rules to understand, documentation to complete, and participants relying on you to get it right.

Sometimes it can feel like you’re just getting through each day.

The good news? Confidence doesn’t come from knowing everything—it comes from continuing to learn, asking questions and building experience.

Here are a few ways to grow your confidence:

✅ Never be afraid to ask questions. Experienced providers were all beginners once.

✅ Take time to understand the “why” behind the supports you’re providing—not just the task itself.

✅ Learn from other professionals and collaborate with your team.

✅ Stay up to date with NDIS changes and best practice.

✅ Reflect on what’s gone well after each shift or interaction.

✅ Remember that building trust with participants is just as important as building your knowledge.

Confidence isn’t about being perfect. It’s about knowing your role, recognising your limits, and being willing to keep learning.

At Building With Strength, we’re passionate about supporting providers, independent support workers and new businesses to build their knowledge, confidence and professionalism. Because when providers feel confident, participants receive better, more consistent support.

Every experienced professional was once a beginner. Keep learning—you’ll be surprised how far you’ve come.

When does the NDIS fund diabetes management supports?Many people assume the NDIS funds diabetes management—but that’s no...
01/09/2026

When does the NDIS fund diabetes management supports?

Many people assume the NDIS funds diabetes management—but that’s not always the case.

The Australian health system, Medicare, the PBS and the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) remain responsible for managing diabetes as a health condition. The NDIS only steps in when a person’s disability prevents them from managing their diabetes independently.

Depending on individual circumstances, the NDIS may fund:
🩺 A nurse to develop a disability-related diabetes management plan
👩‍⚕️ Training for support workers to safely assist with diabetes care
💉 Support workers to monitor blood glucose levels and administer medication where appropriate
🏥 Nursing support for participants with complex disability needs and unstable diabetes
📱 Assistive technology where it reduces the need for other disability supports and meets the NDIS funding criteria

The key question isn’t “Do you have diabetes?” It’s “Does your disability stop you from managing your diabetes without support?”

As with all NDIS supports, strong evidence is essential. Reports should clearly explain how the person’s disability impacts their ability to self-manage diabetes and why the requested supports are reasonable and necessary.

Understanding where health responsibilities end and NDIS responsibilities begin can help participants access the right supports through the right system.

Finding the Right Balance of SupportsMore support isn’t always better—and too little support can make everyday life much...
31/08/2026

Finding the Right Balance of Supports

More support isn’t always better—and too little support can make everyday life much harder.

The goal of an NDIS plan isn’t to fill every hour of the day. It’s to provide the right supports at the right time to help you live the life you want.

Finding the right balance means asking questions like:

• Are my supports helping me achieve my goals?
• Am I becoming more independent where possible?
• Do I have enough support to stay safe and participate in my community?
• Are there times I’m receiving support that I no longer need?
• Are there gaps where additional support would make a real difference?

Your needs will change over time, and that’s okay. The right mix of supports today may look different in six months or a year.

At Building With Strength, we help participants review their supports regularly to make sure they continue to meet their needs, promote independence, and make the best use of their NDIS funding.

The best support isn’t the most support—it’s the support that works for you.

Believe and begin. 💙🐾✨You don’t need to have every answer before you take the first step. 🌱 Every great achievement star...
31/08/2026

Believe and begin. 💙🐾✨

You don’t need to have every answer before you take the first step. 🌱
Every great achievement started with someone who simply believed they could. 🌟💛

Trust yourself, start where you are, and let each small step build your confidence. 🚶‍♀️
Your future begins with the decision to start today. 🌿😊💫

🌿 Monday Motivation 🌿“Gratitude changes what you notice.”There is always something worth appreciating. When you choose g...
30/08/2026

🌿 Monday Motivation 🌿

“Gratitude changes what you notice.”

There is always something worth appreciating. When you choose gratitude, even the smallest moments can become the brightest part of your day. 💚

28/08/2026

This is the way it should be but unfortunately it is still seen as ‘our’ issue and not as a community’s responsibility.

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Kiama Downs, NSW
2533

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+61414837752

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