Disability Support

CatholicCare facilitates a range of social activities, with a focus on both social engagement and skill development.

Activities are open to individuals who have an NDIS Plan, with available funds in their core or capacity building budgets

Fees to attend the group will vary depending on your funding type and the duration of the group.

Certain activities may attract additional costs depending on the type of activity, these costs are to be paid by the individual on the day and are listed next to each activity.

To enquire about an activity or to make a to register your interest in joining in our activities

• Phone 02 4979 1120 or 0447 510 075 and ask to speak with the NDIS Team and leave a message if we are unable to answer
• Completing an intake form

Our NDIS team will then be in contact with you in relation to the start dates of these activities. 

Planning and coordinating your NDIS plan might feel overwhelming, however putting plans in place to achieve your NDIS goals offers an amazing opportunity for you to make your own choices and take control over your own life and future.

Our Support Coordinators will work in collaboration with you and your identified network of supports to help you understand and use your NDIS plan to its potential.

Our Coordinators will support you to connect you with NDIS providers, community, mainstream and other government services and will work with you and your identified network to explore what services might best suit your needs and help you to identify your preferred provider.

Our aim is to support you in building your confidence and skills to use and coordinate your own supports.

Our Coordinators will work with you and your identified network to map out your supports for the duration of your NDIS plan. This can take place wherever you feel comfortable.

Support Coordinators do not work from a casework model rather they will support you to connect with service providers that are able to assist you directly and practically to achieve the goals set out in your NDIS plan.

There are three levels of support coordination that can be included in your plan, CatholicCare is registered to provide all of these:

Level 1

Support connection – This support is to build your ability to connect with informal, community and funded supports enabling you to get the most out of your plan and pursue your goals.

Level 2

Support coordination – coordination of supports: This support will assist you in building the skills you need to understand and use your plan. A support coordinator will work with you to ensure a mix of supports is used to increase your capacity to maintain relationships, manage service delivery tasks, live more independently and be included in your community.

Level 3

Specialist support coordination – This is a higher level of support coordination. It is for people with complex situations and who need specialist support. A Specialist Support Coordinator will assist you in managing challenges in your support environment and ensuring consistent service delivery.

You may also wish to focus on a specific goal in your NDIS plan, such as those related to finding suitable home and living supports. You can use your support coordination funding to work with a support coordinator who has the skills, knowledge, and experience to meet your specific needs.

If you would like more information, please contact Kate Thornthwaite via kthornthwaite@catholiccare.org.au 

Our team can provide assistance in coordinating or managing life stages, transition and supports. This includes short and long-term supports that focus on strengthening your ability to coordinate your own supports, and to assist you to live at home and participate in your community. This might include supports with life planning, budgeting or resolving crisis situations.

Example 1

Hazel lives at home with her parents who have been helping her coordinate her supports. Hazel’s parents are getting older, and Hazel would like to transition to living independently and will need some support to help her coordinate her arrangements. She has a number of agencies responsiblefor providing her with assistance. Hazel purchases support coordination services to help monitor the quality of support she receives and to help source alternative agencies when required.

Example 2

Stevie wants to be actively involved in coordinating her own supports however finds it overwhelming to choose from the range of services available. She would also like support in being able to run her own meetings when liaising with agencies. Stevie purchases support coordination services to help her to liaise with agencies, upskill her in running meetings and support her in finding suitable agencies to work with her.

If you would like more information, please contact Kate Thornthwaite via kthornthwaite@catholiccare.org.au 

Our professional staff can help you with daily personal activities, including assistance with or supervision of personal tasks of daily lifesuch as:

• Personal hygiene, including showering, bathing, oral hygiene, dressing and grooming
• Toileting
• Meal preparation
• Help with medications
• Attending appointments
• High care support

Example 1

Harry lives independently however needs some support with motivation to start his daily routine. Harry’s support worker arrives at his house each morning to support Harry with his personal care routine, getting ready for the day and preparing his breakfast.

Example 2

Mary is able to get out of bed independently; however she requires support shower each morning. Her support worker arrives at her home on the days nominated by Mary to support her in undressing, showering, drying herself and get dressed.

If you would like more information, please contact Kate Thornthwaite via kthornthwaite@catholiccare.org.au 

The Development of Daily Living and life skills is a service that encourages and supports personal development, enhances independence, and increases opportunities to participate in the community. When providing this service, we focus on providing training and development activities to increase your ability to live as autonomously  as possible.

We provide individual and group activities to support skill building including

• Budgeting, grocery shopping, cooking nutritious meals
• Accessing public transport including reading timetables and using public transport
• Communicating with service providers and support networks
• Personal hygiene, personal care, toileting

If you would like more information, please contact Kate Thornthwaite via kthornthwaite@catholiccare.org.au to discuss the group activities we are currently running.

If you need support to access the activities you enjoy in your free time, our support workers can assist you to access the community, social and civic activities of your choice.

We will help match you with a support worker who has similar interests to you to support you in accessing the activities you enjoy.  

Example 1

Grace likes to watch the Newcastle Knights however is not able to get to live games. She selects a support worker who can pick her up from her house and accompany her to games.

Example 2

Nancy likes to go shopping but feels very anxious when going out by herself. She selects a support worker who arrives at her house each week and they go shopping together. Nancy’s support worker helps her skill development when communicating with people when they are out shopping for example ordering her lunch at the café or when buying her groceries.

Example 3

Sally loves going out to different places in the community such as the markets, the zoo, and the museum. However due to her disability she requires support to develop a better understanding of social boundaries. She selects a support worker who arrives at her house each week and together they decide where they will go. Her support worker models appropriate behaviour and teaches Sally social interaction skills.

If you would like more information, please contact Kate Thornthwaite via kthornthwaite@catholiccare.org.au 

Whatever your NDIS goals are, our Support workers can support and encourage you to participate in the activities of your choice. If you would like to focus on your health and wellbeing, our team can assist you, whether it be to work on your fitness by attending the gym, exercise classes or programs or to learn about nutrition and how to cook healthy and nutritious meals.

We will help match you with a support worker with similar interests to you to support you in accessing the activities you enjoy. 

Example 1

Elizabeth is enrolled in a fitness class at the gym each Monday. Due to her disability, she requires some support to participate. Elizabeth selects a support worker who picks her up from her house and helpss her to attend and participate in her gym classes.

If you would like more information, please contact Kate Thornthwaite via kthornthwaite@catholiccare.org.au 

You might need support to attend appointments or when accessing the community such as going to the movies, visiting friends or going to work.

Our support workers have comprehensive car insurance and will provide safe and reliable support assure you  get to your destination safely.

Example 1

John does his shopping at his local supermarket. Every week his support worker picks him up and provides transport to the supermarket. John and his support worker do the weekly shopping together and return home, where John and his support worker pack away the groceries together as John is unable to do this on his own.

Example 2

Sarah does not feel confident to catch the bus on her own. Her support worker creates a travel training program with her and each week they spend time together working through the program which includes learning the bus routines, how to read bus timetables, how to access a bus pass, communication with the bus driver and what to do if things don’t go to plan.

If you would like more information, please contact Kate Thornthwaite via kthornthwaite@catholiccare.org.au 

Our support workers are able to support you with your household tasks that allow you to live as independently as possible. These activities include supporting  your daily routine and household tasks such as making sure your house is tidy, doing your washing and hanging out the laundry, making your bed, changing your sheets, and cleaning the bathrooms.  

Example

Adam lives independently however needs support with his household tasks. Each week his support worker arrives at his house and they discuss what household tasks need doing. Adam’s support worker works with him to build his skills such as how to use the washing machine and vacuum and how to clean his dishes and bathrooms. Adam’s support worker does not do the household tasks for him, rather they work on agreed tasks together to support Adam towards doing them independently.

If you would like more information, please contact Kate Thornthwaite via kthornthwaite@catholiccare.org.au 

CatholicCare also provides the opportunity for people or other organisations to purchase services. This is a ‘fee for service’ program and acceptance into the program is based on our ability to provide a quality service.

If you would like more information, please contact Kate Thornthwaite via kthornthwaite@catholiccare.org.au 

Anyone can make a referral. A referral/intake form is available here or you may choose to call and ask to speak with someone in the team. We can be contacted on 02 4979 1120.

Once we receive a referral, a member from the Disability Support Team will be in touch.

You will be asked several questions and provided with forms to complete to help us identify your needs and service requirements.

We ask that you be as open as possible with your answers as this helps us identify your needs and explore options for services you can access. All your personal information is kept in absolute confidence.

If we cannot meet your support needs at the time of referral, you may choose to be placed on our waiting list. We will keep you on this list until you inform us you no longer want to be on it.

You have the right to re-apply and be reassessed for a service even if you have previously exited the service. Your application will be based on non-discriminatory basis and relative needs. You also have the right to refuse service at any time without prejudice.

If you would like more information, please contact Kate Thornthwaite via kthornthwaite@catholiccare.org.au 

CatholicCare’s Disability Support Services have individual fee policies for each program. These will be discussed with you during the referral and assessment process. Support Services are funded through individuals NDIS Packages. Fees are subject to change in line with the NDIS Price guide. There will be no additional cost to you. However, transport fees may be charged for travel undertaken during shifts depending on your personal situation.

As a registered provider of the NDIS, CatholicCare operates in line with the NDIS Price Guide and NDIS Support Catalogue. CatholicCare charges the maximum price allowable in the NDIS Price Guide and meets the eligibility requirement to charge the Temporary Transformation Payment. For a full list of prices please refer to the NDIS Price Catalogue.

If you would like more information, please contact Kate Thornthwaite via kthornthwaite@catholiccare.org.au