Our Services
Support Work
Support Work at Inner West Paediatrics focuses on helping children and young people participate more confidently in everyday life.
What Support Work Looks like at IWP
Our Support Workers (SWs) support your child at home or in the community. Support is practical, relationship-based, neuro-affirming, and guided by your child’s interests, strengths, and needs.
SWs may support your child to:
- build confidence using public transport or accessing the community
- participate in social, recreational, or leisure activities – like going to the pool, library or park
- participate in daily living skills, such as personal care or household routines
- engage in learning, work, or volunteering opportunities
- practise communication, self-advocacy, and emotional regulation strategies already introduced by their therapy team
- Increase autonomy and independence away from primary caregivers
Support can start small
For example, short sessions or periods at home, and gradually expand as your child becomes more comfortable. Building trust and consistency is a key part of successful support.
Our SWs work flexibly and responsively, supporting your child to participate in the everyday activities that are important to them and your family. Where appropriate, Support Workers may work alongside your child’s therapist or Allied Health Assistant to support generalisation of skills into real-life settings. SWs do not provide therapy, assessments, or clinical recommendations.
How we support safety, consistency, and positive relationships
- We start by understanding your goals and priorities for support work
- We take time to match your child with a support worker who is a good fit
- Communication methods (spoken language, AAC, visuals) are respected and supported
- Boundaries and professional relationships are maintained at all times
- Families are encouraged to share feedback so support can evolve over time
FAQs
What is the difference between a Support Worker and a therapist?
A Support Worker provides practical, day-to-day support and assistance with participation in everyday activities. They do not assess, diagnose, or provide therapy. Therapists (e.g. Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists) provide clinical assessment, goal setting, and intervention plans.
How is a Support Worker different from an Allied Health Assistant (AHA)?
Allied Health Assistants work under the direct supervision of a qualified therapist and support specific therapy goals. Support Workers focus on participation, independence, and community access rather than delivering therapy programs.
Can a SW work with my child’s therapist?
Yes. With your consent, Support Workers can collaborate with your child’s therapy team to support consistency and generalisation of skills into everyday routines. They may also be able to receive training and involvement in therapy sessions to better understand your child’s goals and support needs.
Where can support take place?
Support can occur in your home, school holidays, community settings, or during everyday activities such as outings, appointments, or recreational programs.
How long do support shifts go for?
Session length and frequency are flexible and can be tailored to your child’s needs, goals, and funding. At Inner West Paediatrics our minimum shift length is 3 hours.
Is transport included?
Transport can be discussed as part of planning and must align with safety requirements and funding guidelines.
What funding can I use for a Support Worker?
At Inner West Paediatrics, you can use the following funding options to access your Support Worker:
- NDIS funding, including agency-, plan- and self-managed clients
- Self-funded
How do you ensure safety and quality?
All Support Workers at Inner West Paediatrics hold a current NDIS Worker Screening Check and receive onboarding, management, and ongoing support.
