A Support Coordinator’s Guide to Understanding Endeavour Foundation’s Services
What sets Endeavour Foundation apart? Scratch beneath the surface and you’ll discover a disability service provider that delivers so much more.
We’re rightly proud of the ever-evolving supports and services that we offer people with disability.
Whether it’s vibrant Learning and Lifestyle Hubs, inclusive workplaces, comfortable and secure independent living options and plenty more, we know it’s all profoundly meaningful for those we support.
But what makes us truly proud – and sets us apart – is the tireless work that happens behind the scenes. The dedication and expertise that make it all possible. This crucial work includes:
- Diving into the complexities of the NDIS and guiding our clients and their families through a challenging and often overwhelming scheme.
- Tirelessly advocating for improved NDIS funding outcomes for people with disability, including forging our own escalation pathways with the NDIA.
- Creating meticulous, robust systems aimed at providing the best environments for those we support.
- Devising intricate strategies geared towards maintaining the safest and most welcoming spaces for our clients and all stakeholders.
And that’s just the start.
When it comes to supporting people with disability, we’re all in.
Robust Systems and Support Functions
The support and guidance we deliver to NDIS participants and their wider networks are unparalleled in the industry.
This includes providing much-needed assistance to Support Coordinators.
We have every angle covered, from applying for NDIS funding and advocating for better funding outcomes right through to everyday living in safe, supportive and inclusive environments.
It starts with a rock-solid foundation: robust systems and support functions that have evolved over our storied past and which play a critical role in creating lasting change for people with disability.
At the heart of these support functions are specialised teams that diligently strive to create the best grounding for the people we support. They include the:
- Intake Team
- Client Advocacy and Assessment Specialists
- Safeguarding Team
- Complex Support Team
- Practice and Quality Improvement Team
Meet Our Specialised Teams
Each of our specialised teams has clear functions and purposes, albeit complex and intricate, that aim to positively impact our clients and their wider support networks.
Below is a mere snapshot of the role each team plays and the benefits they can provide to people with disability and their support networks.
Intake Team
This is the first point of contact for most of our clients – and we are determined to make it a positive one.
Central to the Intake Team’s purpose is playing a hands-on role assisting participants and their families to navigate the NDIS and demonstrating how our supports and services can positively impact their lives and support individual needs and goals.
Team members’ extensive knowledge of the NDIS is crucial, providing critical insights and extensive guidance no matter where participants are positioned on their journey. This provides invaluable reassurance to our clients.
Comprising a group of social workers, the team is well-versed in relationship building and understanding unique support needs.
Moreover, team members act as a primary point of contact, so participants know who to reach out to when needed.
Client Advocacy and Assessment Specialists
The primary function of these experts is to actively advocate for NDIS funding for participants.
Our Client Advocacy and Assessment Specialists are equipped with the skills to compile extensive documentation regarding a participant’s circumstances and their support needs. They then present this information to the NDIA, having built a compelling case for NDIS funding, including increased funding.
As part of this, our specialists have their own resolution pathways with the NDIA, offering an alternative escalation pathway for participants and their wider networks who are striving for improved funding outcomes.
These specialists regularly collaborate with Support Coordinators to advocate for NDIS funding, including Change of Situation and Review of Reviewable Decisions.
This assistance is critical for time-poor Support Coordinators. Our specialists are on-hand to do the ‘grunt work’, drafting applications for Support Coordinators to review and submit.
Safeguarding Team
This team plays a vital role in our organisation, ensuring client safety is paramount.
In fact, the team is focused on creating safe spaces for anyone involved in delivering the supports and services we offer to participants.
The Safeguarding Team emphasises proactiveness, analysing behavioural trends to minimise incidents of concern.
Within this team are Positive Behaviour Support Advisors who are tasked with undertaking risk assessments and creating effective behaviour support strategies.
Participants without positive behaviour support funding in their plan or who are awaiting such funding to be available can lean on these advisors for much-needed support.
Complex Support Team
Consisting of social workers and allied health professionals, this skilled team has a distinct focus on assisting participants with complex behaviours and ensuring both clients and staff are supported effectively.
These behaviours may include physical or verbal aggression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), schizophrenia and even instances where participants are struggling with self-care or are isolating themselves.
Team members are renowned for their out-of-the-box thinking, creatively helping clients’ support networks to navigate the complex challenges of the individual.
The team gathers insights from various stakeholders – including the participant – to devise detailed strategies aimed at ensuring clients and their network are supported effectively.
The Complex Support Team can also help clients with applications to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) related to the Public Trustee or Public Guardian.
Practice and Quality Improvement Team
Working closely with both the Safeguarding and Complex Support Teams, this group is primarily responsible for analysing a client’s support needs and recommending strategies geared towards creating a safe and inclusive environment for all.
Their key tasks include conducting client health checks and support profiling. The support profiling is a form of risk assessment aimed at mitigating risks to ensure we can create the safest environments possible for clients to engage with our supports and services.
The team’s diligence and proactive approach provide essential peace of mind for clients and their support networks – as all our specialised teams collectively do.
And this behind-the-scenes support should never be undervalued.
Making a Difference
Creating the best outcomes for people with disability begins with a strong foundation.
The Endeavour Foundation.
If you have a client who could benefit from our supports and services, get in touch with us today.