How we work alongside support coordinators

A good match. Clear communication. Support that connects with everyday life.

Finding the right support worker takes more than finding an opening in a calendar. You’re looking for someone a participant feels comfortable with, who understands their goals and can turn an agreed plan into something that works in their week.

At Care in Movement, we support people across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter to get out, build connections and take part in the things that matter to them. For support coordinators, our aim is to make the next step straightforward: understand the person, talk honestly about fit and keep communication useful as support gets underway.

Start with the person

Before talking about activities or schedules, we want to know what a participant enjoys and what they would like to work towards.

Maybe they want to feel more confident visiting local shops. Maybe there’s a hobby they’d like to return to, a community group they’re curious about or a fitness goal they’d like some help with. Sometimes the starting point is simply wanting something to look forward to each week.

Your knowledge can help us understand what has worked before, what hasn’t and what might make the first session feel easier. The participant’s own preferences guide the conversation, including how they like to communicate and who they want involved.

Make room for a good match

A shared interest can be a great starting point. So can a similar sense of humour, an easy conversation or a worker who understands when to slow things down.

An initial conversation and meet-and-greet give the participant a chance to get to know us and decide whether the fit feels right. They can ask questions, talk about what they need and take time to consider the next step.

We’ll also talk through availability, location, transport arrangements and the support required. If someone’s needs fall outside our experience or service scope, we’ll say so early.

Turn goals into something practical

Broad goals become easier to work with when they connect to an ordinary day.

For someone wanting more independence, that could mean planning a shopping trip, making choices along the way and practising the parts they want to do themselves. For someone wanting social connection, it might mean finding a regular activity they actually enjoy and building familiarity over time.

Movement is a big part of our approach. That might look like a session at the gym, a game of tennis or some time outdoors. Our support also makes room for creative interests, errands, local events and quieter activities. The right starting point depends on the person.

Keep communication clear and useful

Good coordination works best when everyone knows what to expect.

At the start, we can agree on who should receive updates, what information is useful and how often to check in. Information sharing should reflect the participant’s consent and preferences, along with any relevant responsibilities.

Useful updates describe what happened, how the participant experienced it, the support they needed and anything that may need adjusting. A change in interests, a difficulty with transport or an activity that no longer feels like a good fit can all help shape the next conversation.

The goal is a shared understanding of how support is going, with space for the participant to speak for themselves.

Notice the details that show progress

Progress can be easy to miss when a note only records where someone went.

For example, a useful observation might be that a participant chose the destination, asked for help when they needed it or completed part of an activity with less prompting. These are examples of what a note could capture, rather than claims about a particular participant.

Clear observations, together with the participant’s feedback, can support conversations about what is working and what should change. When a summary is needed, we can discuss the purpose, timing and information required.

Start a referral conversation

If you’re supporting someone who may enjoy working with Care in Movement, email connect@careinmovement.com with their broad goals and interests, suburb, preferred days and plan management type.

With the participant’s permission, share enough to help us assess the fit. Detailed personal information can follow through an agreed channel if needed.

We’ll talk through availability and next steps, with the participant involved in deciding what happens next.

Get in touch with Care in Movement