Blade’s Support Worker was the big brother figure he needed

As a child, Blade’s mum managed his NDIS plan and employed Support Workers for him through Carer Solutions’ Direct Employ Service.

Now that Blade is 22, he is able to manage his supports, enabling him to directly employ his own employees – such as his Support Worker Jeremy. Thanks to Carer Solutions, Blade can decide when to schedule his supports, approve all of his employees’ timesheets, while Carer Solutions take care of the payroll including pay, super and WorkCover insurance.

Blade lives in the small rural town of Yolla in north-western Tasmania, which has a population of approximately 300 people. So, like many other small rural towns in Australia, they are feeling the pinch of the disability Support Worker shortage.

Jeremy explains how one of Blade’s previous Support Workers introduced him to Blade because she thought they would be a good match.

“She thought I would be a good fit for Blade because it was important at that time for Blade to have a ‘big brother’ kind of thing.” Jeremy explains.

Blade says he would describe Jeremy as funny, kind and energetic. “He’s caring, supportive and very patient, and he helps me with things.”

Thanks to Jeremy, Blade says he is learning to control his anxiety which is not easy, but he is managing thanks to Jeremy’s support.

Jeremy says he has seen so many improvements in Blade since he began working with him. Due to Blade’s anxiety, Jeremy has been supporting him to build up his confidence to be more independent and a to self-regulate his emotions.

Carer Solutions enables Blade to have the flexibility to schedule his support team when he needs it. For example, Jeremy was able to assist Blade to learn to drive and consequently get his license.

Jeremy says Carer Solutions’ Direct Employ service enables Blade to have the flexibility he needs when scheduling his Support Workers.

“It’s just very simplified, which I guess in this industry is a great benefit to have everything as simple as possible for both parties – for the employee and the Partner [employer]”.