Building With Strength

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

💙 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.

💙 How to Communicate Well with Other Providers Around a ParticipantGreat outcomes don’t happen because one provider work...
26/08/2026

💙 How to Communicate Well with Other Providers Around a Participant
Great outcomes don’t happen because one provider works harder than everyone else—they happen when everyone works together.
Every participant has a unique team supporting them. That might include support workers, therapists, support coordinators, recovery coaches, plan managers, GPs and family members. Clear, respectful communication helps everyone stay focused on what matters most—the participant.
Here are a few simple ways to communicate well with other providers:
✅ Always obtain the participant’s consent before sharing information.
✅ Keep communication professional, respectful and focused on the participant’s goals.
✅ Share relevant information—not every detail.
✅ Respect each provider’s role, knowledge and scope of practice.
✅ Raise concerns early rather than allowing small issues to become bigger problems.
✅ Remember that everyone brings a different perspective and expertise to the team.
When providers communicate well, participants experience more consistent supports, fewer mixed messages and better progress towards their goals.
At Building With Strength, we believe collaboration is one of the most valuable tools in the NDIS. We work closely with participants and providers to encourage open communication, coordinated supports and a team approach that always keeps the participant at the centre of every decision.
Because when the team works together, participants are the ones who benefit most.

Individualised Living Options (ILO): Home Is About Choice, Not Just a HouseOne of the most person-centred home and livin...
25/08/2026

Individualised Living Options (ILO): Home Is About Choice, Not Just a House

One of the most person-centred home and living supports in the NDIS is Individualised Living Options (ILO). The updated guideline reinforces that ILO isn’t about funding a house—it’s about funding the supports that help you live the life you choose. OG_Individualised_living_options_v15-0.pdf

Here are the key takeaways:

✅ ILO is designed around you. It helps you decide where you live, who you live with, and how you want to be supported to build independence and create a true sense of home and belonging.

✅ Funding happens in two stages.

* Stage 1 – Exploration and Design: Funding to explore your options, develop your living arrangement and create a personalised service proposal.
* Stage 2 – Supports: Funding to implement, monitor and adjust your personalised living arrangement over time. OG_Individualised_living_options_v15-0.pdf

✅ Every ILO is different. Your support package may include personal care, help with household tasks, skill development, emotional support, decision-making support and a carefully designed mix of paid and unpaid supports.

✅ ILO doesn’t fund the cost of living. Rent, mortgages, groceries, utilities and other everyday expenses remain the participant’s responsibility. OG_Individualised_living_options_v15-0.pdf

✅ Informal supports matter. Family, friends, neighbours and community connections can play an important role alongside funded supports, creating a flexible and sustainable living arrangement that reflects the participant’s preferences and goals.

The biggest message from this guideline is:

An Individualised Living Option isn’t a one-size-fits-all model. It’s about designing a home and support network around the individual—not expecting the individual to fit into an existing service model.

That’s what true choice and control looks like.

How to Track Your Supports (Without Complicated Systems)Staying on top of your NDIS supports doesn’t have to mean spread...
24/08/2026

How to Track Your Supports (Without Complicated Systems)

Staying on top of your NDIS supports doesn’t have to mean spreadsheets, apps or complicated tracking systems.

Sometimes, the simplest approach is the one you’ll actually use.

Here are a few easy ways to stay organised:

• Keep all your service agreements in one folder.
• Use a calendar to track upcoming appointments and regular supports.
• Write down any changes or important conversations after they happen.
• Check your budget regularly so you know how your funding is being used.
• Keep copies of reports and important emails in one place so they’re easy to find when you need them.

Being organised doesn’t mean being perfect. It simply means having enough information at your fingertips to make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary stress.

At Building With Strength, we help participants create simple systems that suit their lifestyle—whether that’s a printed folder, a digital file, or a personalised budget overview. The goal is to spend less time searching for information and more time focusing on what matters most.

Organisation doesn’t have to be complicated—it just has to work for you.

Hope to see you there 😊Michelle and Nina
24/08/2026

Hope to see you there 😊

Michelle and Nina

Address

Kiama Downs, NSW
2533

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 3pm
Sunday 10am - 3pm

Telephone

+61414837752

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