As an NDIS participant or a family member coordinating support, one of the most common frustrations is the ‘revolving door’ of support workers. You finally build a rapport and a routine with someone who understands your needs, only for them to be replaced by a new face the following week. It’s exhausting, disruptive, and can make it feel impossible to build the stable, trusting relationship that is the foundation of excellent care.
But have you ever wondered why this happens so often with larger agencies?
The answer often lies in the experience of the support workers themselves. Today, we want to pull back the curtain and explain a growing trend in Brisbane: experienced, passionate carers are leaving the agency grind behind and choosing to work with smaller, private NDIS providers. And this shift is fantastic news for you.
The Agency Grind: A Carer's Perspective
For many dedicated support workers, working for a large, impersonal agency can be incredibly challenging. While they enter the field with a passion for helping others, the reality can lead to burnout. Here’s what they often face:
- High Caseloads: Carers are often stretched thin, juggling too many participants with not enough time to provide the focused, quality support each person deserves.
- Lack of Connection: In a large organisation, support workers can feel like just another number on a roster. They may have limited contact with management and feel their voice isn't heard.
- Inflexible Rostering: Schedules are often rigid and dictated by algorithms, not by the needs of the participant or the carer’s ability to build a consistent relationship.
- Administrative Overload: A mountain of paperwork and bureaucracy can take time away from what truly matters: providing hands-on, compassionate support.
When a support worker is overworked, undervalued, and disconnected, their ability to provide the best possible care is compromised. It’s no wonder so many talented individuals seek a better way to do the work they love.
The Shift to Private Providers: Seeking Connection and Value
This is where smaller, private providers like Liorn Support Services come in. Experienced carers are actively seeking out providers who offer a different, more human-centric environment.
For them, the benefits are clear:
- They Feel Valued: In a smaller team, every member is known and appreciated. Their skills are recognised, and their well-being is prioritised.
- Better Participant Matching: Private providers invest time in getting to know both the participant and the support worker. This allows for careful matching based on personality, skills, and your specific goals, not just availability.
- More Autonomy: Carers are trusted to use their expertise and build genuine, long-term relationships with the people they support.
- A Supportive Culture: They become part of a close-knit team that communicates openly and works collaboratively to achieve the best outcomes for participants.
When a support worker feels happy, respected, and empowered, they are more engaged, more motivated, and far more likely to stay in their role long-term.
How This Change Benefits You, the Participant
This trend isn't just about the carers; it's about elevating the quality of care you receive. When you choose a provider that invests in its team, you benefit directly.
- Consistency of Care: A happy, supported carer is a long-term carer. This means you can finally say goodbye to the revolving door. You get to build a stable, trusting relationship with someone who truly understands your routines, preferences, and goals.
- Higher Quality Support: A motivated and engaged support worker provides more than just basic assistance. They become a proactive partner in your journey, bringing energy, creativity, and genuine compassion to every interaction.
- A Better Match for You: You are more likely to be paired with someone who is not only qualified but also a great personality fit. This connection is the key to a successful and enjoyable support relationship.
- Peace of Mind: Knowing your support worker is part of a supportive organisation that values them gives you the confidence that you are receiving the best possible care.
The Liorn Support Services Difference
At Liorn Support Services, we built our entire model around this principle. We believe that exceptional support starts with exceptional staff. We are not a large, faceless agency; we are a dedicated Brisbane team committed to creating a positive and nurturing environment for both our staff and our participants.
We carefully select experienced, passionate carers who share our values. We empower them, we listen to them, and we ensure they have the resources and support they need to thrive.
By focusing on our team, we ensure we can provide you with the consistent, high-quality, and personalised NDIS support you deserve.
If you're tired of the agency grind and ready for a more stable and meaningful support relationship, we invite you to get in touch. Let’s talk about how our dedicated team can make a real difference in your life.