Newcastle Social Workers

02/09/2026

NDIS plans are built around a participant’s circumstances at a point in time. But those circumstances don’t always stay the same.

A change in living situation, support needs, informal supports or day-to-day circumstances can mean an existing plan no longer reflects what is actually required.

Our latest blog breaks down what can happen when a plan no longer meets a participant’s needs, what evidence may be important, and the options available to have those changes considered.

A clear overview for participants, families and anyone working alongside them.

Read the full article on the Newcastle Social Workers website.

12/08/2026

Support Coordination starts well before a provider is contacted or a referral is made.

It starts with understanding what is actually happening for the participant. What supports are already in place, where things are working, where they are not, how the plan is being used, and whether the current setup is safe, sustainable and clear.

That listening matters because good Support Coordination is not about making quick assumptions. It is about helping people understand their options, use their funding carefully, and build a support network that properly reflects their needs and goals.

Taking the time to listen is part of doing the work properly.

06/08/2026

Choice and control only means something when participants still have genuine options.

In our latest blog, Kurt reflects on Newcastle Social Workers’ submission to the Senate and the concern at the centre of it: support coordination does need stronger standards, accountability and oversight, but the order of reform matters.

If pricing remains frozen and independent, registered providers continue to be pushed out, the future system may be left choosing from whatever remains rather than the providers best placed to deliver quality, conflict-free support.

Read the blog on our website, where the full Senate submission is also available to download.

29/07/2026

Hunter Homeless Connect Day today! Newcastle Entertainment Centre.

27/07/2026

Tomorrow we are going to be at the Hunter Homeless Connect event, supporting people experiencing homelessness in our community.

We’ll be handing out practical items such as warm clothing and essential supplies, while also offering free advice and support for anyone needing guidance with the NDIS, social work services, housing, mental health, or accessing community supports.

If you’re attending, please come over and say hello. We’re proud to be part of an event that brings local services together to provide practical help, connection and support.

- Tomorrow! Wednesday 29 July 2026
- At Newcastle Entertainment Centre on Brown Road at Broadmeadow.
- Gates open at 9.00am. Finishes at 2pm.

20/07/2026

“Respect is the foundation of all meaningful relationships within the disability support system.”

That belief is a big part of why Kurt started Newcastle Social Workers.

With over a decade of experience in the disability sector, Kurt understands how important it is for participants and families to have support that is clear, respectful and independent.

Newcastle Social Workers exists to provide person-centred support that helps people navigate the NDIS with confidence, trust and the right guidance around them.

To meet Kurt and the rest of the Newcastle Social Workers team, head to our website.

newcastlesocialworkers.com.au

16/07/2026

If you’ve been on our website over the last couple of weeks, you may have noticed things look a little different.

We’ve refreshed the Newcastle Social Workers brand and built a new website that better reflects who we are, what we stand for and the standard of support coordination we’re committed to providing.

Same values. Same commitment. Just a fresh new look.

Discover expert NDIS support coordination, & psychosocial recovery coaching. Empowering you to navigate your journey with confidence and care.

08/07/2026

We've just lodged our submission to the Senate inquiry into the NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026.

As a small, independent support coordination provider here in Newcastle, we support lifting quality and accountability in our sector. But we're concerned the Bill's commissioning provisions will achieve the opposite.

Our key points:
- Parliament is being asked to approve replacing an entire market with no published design: no selection criteria, no definition of "quality", no panel size, no transition arrangements.
- A 7-year price freeze is pushing independent, registered, local providers out before panels are even formed in 2027-28. The providers that survive are largely those using support coordination to feed referrals to their own services.
- The sequencing is backwards. Fix pricing first, bring mandatory registration forward, and only then design any commissioning model.
- Supported independent living and support coordination should never be provided to the same participant by the same organisation.

If this Bill affects you or the people you support, please consider making your own submission. Submissions close on the 10th of July.

How to submit:

Online via the Parliament of Australia inquiry page: https://lnkd.in/gmPycSgW

By email: [email protected]

People with Disability Australia (PWDA) has community guides and templates to help as well if needed.