How to Book a Support Worker with Animo
Support workers are remarkable human beings who can help people in need achieve their personal and well-being goals. As a psychosocial NDIS service provider, our team at Animo strives to make this process as simple and effective as possible.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need about booking a support worker with Animo.
What is the Difference Between a Support Worker and a Personal Carer?
While both roles offer ongoing support services, a personal carer and support worker hold two separate distinctions:
Support Worker:
Specialises in assisting with daily activities and community engagement
Trained in specific areas such as mental health or disability support
Support workers offer a high degree of flexibility. They can assist with various tasks, from helping you attend community events to supporting you with your personal projects.
Their goal is to enable you to lead a fulfilling and independent life.
Personal Carer:
Focuses more on personal care tasks such as bathing, dressing, and administering medication.
May work in residential care settings or directly in clients' homes.
Typically supporting people with physical disabilities
Personal carers partner with individuals who need more hands-on assistance with daily living activities. They ensure that their clients' physical needs are met, which can be especially important for those with mobility issues or other health concerns.
At Animo, our support workers specialise in mental health, helping clients live empowered and independent lives. We recognise that every individual has unique needs, and our workers are trained to provide the specific support required to help you thrive.
How Do I Know If I'm Eligible to Receive an NDIS Support Worker from Animo?
The NDIS aims to support people with disabilities in living more independently and participating fully in their communities. If you have a psychosocial disability, you may be eligible for various forms of assistance, including mental health support, social activities, and more.
To book an NDIS support worker in Melbourne from Animo, you need to meet a few points under the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme):
Psychosocial Disability: Animo exclusively provides support for individuals with psychosocial disabilities.
NDIS Plan: You must have an active NDIS plan with allocated funding for Core Support or Capacity Building (category 09 or 15).
Location: Animo operates across Melbourne and Geelong, so you must reside in these areas.
For more detailed eligibility information, refer to the NDIS guidelines or contact Animo directly for assistance. Our team is always ready to help you navigate the process and determine your eligibility for our services.
Booking Process for Support Workers with Animo
We continually refine the process of booking a support worker with Animo to be as fast, user-friendly and straightforward as possible:
Step-by-Step Booking Process:
Referral Form: Begin by filling out our online referral form. Provide your contact information, NDIS details, and any specific preferences for your support worker.
Matching Process: We use the details from your referral to match you with a suitable support worker. Factors such as gender, age, and specific needs are considered to ensure a good match.
Initial Meeting: We arrange an initial meeting between you and your support worker to establish rapport and discuss your goals and expectations.
Organise Regular Sessions: Schedule regular sessions with your support worker. A regular weekly time is typically arranged during the initial Service Agreement meeting, but you can request changes later.
As you organise your booking, there are some key points to be aware of:
Minimum Appointment Time: The minimum appointment time is two hours, (but can be as long as you like), including at least 15 minutes of non-face-to-face work.
Adjustments to Appointment Time: You can end the session early if you don’t need the full appointment time. Your support worker can use the remaining time for other work or travel time. The NDIS will still be billed for the entire appointment.
Urgent Support: If urgent support is needed, discuss it with your support worker to create a backup plan. Animo staff may only be available briefly due to other commitments.
Non-Face-to-Face Appointments: Discuss with your support worker if you prefer telephone or video calls instead of face-to-face meetings, especially due to COVID-19.
Cancelling an Appointment: Contact your support worker by calling or texting to cancel an appointment. If you provide less than seven days’ notice, the NDIS will still be charged for the appointment to ensure your support worker’s income stability, in line with NDIS cancellation rules, effective July 1st, 2022.
For more information on the referral process, you can download our service guide. This guide provides detailed information on our services, the types of support we offer, and how you can make the most of your NDIS funding.
What Happens if I Need to Change My Days or Times, but I Don’t Get the Chance to Change the Booking?
Life can be unpredictable; sometimes, you might need to change your scheduled support sessions. Animo understands this and provides flexible options:
Advance Notice: If you need to change your booking, try to inform your support worker at least seven days in advance so they can help you reschedule without any charges.
Short Notice: If you inform less than seven days before the appointment, the NDIS will still be billed for the scheduled time to ensure your support worker is compensated.
To make these changes, you can contact your support worker directly by phone or text. Animo encourages maintaining open communication to handle such situations smoothly.
Why Choose Animo for Your NDIS Support Needs?
Choosing the right NDIS support worker agency can greatly influence your quality of life. Understanding this immense responsibility, Animo stands out with our:
Specialisation: Animo focuses solely on psychosocial support, ensuring you receive expert care
Experienced Team: With over 100 mental health support workers, Animo has a diverse and experienced team ready to assist.
Personalised Support: Animo tailors its services to meet your unique goals, whether it’s community engagement, personal development, or simply getting through daily tasks.
By choosing Animo, you are opting for a provider dedicated to empowering individuals with psychosocial disabilities to live their best lives. Our team is committed to helping you achieve your goals and improve your overall well-being.
With Animo, you are not just another client; you are part of a community that values your unique journey and strives to support you every step of the way.
Contact us today for more information.