News • 17 Jun 2020

Meet one of our Specialist Support Coordinators

Olivia is a Specialist Support Coordinator with Open Minds—assisting clients to find the best support for their unique needs. As a Specialist Support Coordinator, Olivia’s role differs slightly from a Support Coordinator; she works with people who have additional or complex needs in their situation.

Specialist Support Coordination is an NDIS funded Support, designed to assist people to get the most out of their NDIS funding package.

As a Specialist Support Coordinator, the majority of people that Olivia works with have been in a secure mental health setting for many years and, in some cases, most of their lives.

Olivia’s role is life changing for the people she works with, as it often involves her helping to transition them out of these secure mental health settings and by ensuring they have the necessary supports in place so their transition back into the community is successful so they can live a full and happy life.

Choice and control is limited for people living in this setting, due to the structured environment.

When Olivia supports people to transition out and into supported living arrangements, they then have the freedom to choose who they want in their life, how they want their life to look and what activities they want to partake in.

“One of my clients had been living in a secure mental health setting for twelve years, and transitioning this person out into the community was totally life-changing for both them and their family,” Olivia said.

The NDIS provides a fantastic opportunity for people in secure mental health settings to receive the supports they need in order to live in the community instead, where this previously wasn’t an option for them.

“It’s pretty life-changing for their families, too. One mother of a client I support said to me that she’s ‘getting her son back’. It really gives them hope.”

Olivia’s role closely resembles Case Management, as she is heavily involved with all stakeholders surrounding the individuals.

This often includes QLD Health, QPS, corrective services, social workers, public guardian, public trust, psychiatrists, psychologists, occupational therapists, family members and more.

Olivia’s role involves supporting people to get good value out of their NDIS plans, understand service agreements, and confirm bookings with service providers and importantly assisting participants to achieve their goals

She uses her knowledge and experience within the mental health sector to recommend the most suitable providers for each person’s needs.

Olivia has worked in the mental health sector for more than ten years and has gained a Graduate Degree in Psychology, a Postgraduate Degree in Mental Health, and has almost completed her Masters in Mental Health.

I couldn’t imagine working in any other industry. The people I have met over the years continue to inspire and encourage me to delve further into the sector,” Olivia said.

Having been with Open Minds for three years, Olivia has worked in a number of roles and with a variety of clients during this time.

To find out more about accessing Open Minds’ Specialist Support Coordination service, contact us today.

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