In a previous post we discussed Psychosocial Work Hazards and how your mental health is important.
Currently, in the context of the NDIS, Support Coordinators are expressing growing concerns, and a lot are reaching a critical point.
Several factors are contributing to this situation:
Challenges arising from the implementation of PACE and its associated system difficulties.
Difficulties in communication with the NDIS, characterised by a lack of responsiveness and accessibility.
Rising frustration among participants due to unexpected calls from planners reviewing funding without proper documentation and the presence of support coordinators.
Extended delays in the approval process for plans and other requests.
Participant management choices undergoing changes without adequate consideration.
Inconsistencies in the actions of the Agency further add to the challenges faced by Support Coordinators.
One minute you have authority to act as a third party, the next day that paperwork has mysteriously disappeared.
Instructions out of nowhere that Local Area Coordinators (LAC) are taking over without consulting participants, some of whom are complex.
Support Coordination hours cut to ridiculous levels without an understanding of the participants circumstances, that require and have proven to need more than twelve hours over a two-year period.
Support coordinators are starting to feel the burnout, often experiencing mental and physical exhaustion, which can lead to potential risks of depression.
Considering the naturally caring nature of support coordinators and the demands of their job, this stress may have lasting effects beyond the improvements targeted by the NDIS review. The ones they have promised will fix everything.
The symptoms can be obvious from what is happening in the sector but what are the factors that contribute?
o Lack of control – Not having a say in how you do your job, caused by delays, indecision and lack of communication has an effect.
o Lack of clarity about what is expected – If you are not sure what the NDIS expects from you in terms of your service, changing the goal posts every other week, you are going to feel it.
o Lack of support – No one expects their hand to be held, but when you are doing exactly what has been expected of you in terms of the NDIS guidelines and legislation then you would expect a level of respect and support to do your job.
o Lack of recognition - A lot support coordinators would agree that they are beginning to feel demonised within the industry, because of the few that don’t do their job properly and are running down participants funding.
o Work life balance – Many support coordinators extend beyond their roles, with some even providing pro bono assistance to ensure participants make it to their next review. Some participants require this as they have no informal supports and rely a little too much on their coordinators to provide above and beyond the scope of the position. This additional pressure can significantly impact your overall sense of wellbeing.
If you are feeling the following it is time to step back and reevaluate.
o Questioning the value of your work.
o Finding it difficult to focus.
o Not finding any satisfaction in your work.
o Doubting your skills and abilities.
o Losing your patience much more quickly.
What are the costs of job burnout?
o Not able to cope.
o Not able to sleep.
o Feeling sad, angry, or irritable
o More likely to get sick.
o Turning to alcohol or other substances.
So how do we handle this burnout as the NDIS is out of everyone's control?
o If you work within an organisation, voice your concerns with your team leader and set realistic goals on what can be achieved. Maybe you need to take some time off to regroup.
o Seek support from your coworkers or your peers within the industry. They are going through the same things you are. Often talking through your frustrations can help.
o If you have access to employee assistance programs, call and have a chat. There are psychologists and counsellors specialising in workplace issues.
o Try to turn off at a certain point every day, shut down your phone and computer and do something that relaxes you, that could be taking the dog for a walk, doing some art or baking, whatever gets you into a happy place.
o Get some regular exercise, do it with a friend and talk about anything but work.
o Make sure you get to bed a regular hour, do some reading, or listen to soothing music to help you nod off. Sleep restores your well being and helps protect your health.
o Practice mindfulness, you may have talked to your customers about this and have forgotten that it also applies to you. Mindfulness can help you to be more aware of what is going on inside and around you without judging or reacting.
Unfortunately, sometimes we have to step away from a job because it is causing too much turmoil, which can have a real effect on our daily life both personally and professionally.
There are times when it is necessary to reassess and understand that you can’t do this anymore and that’s ok. It is hard to walk away from customers with whom you have developed a professional relationship with, but the simple reality is that they lived their lives before you came along, and they will continue on without you.
We have heard that many Support Coordinators are turning away from the job because they feel that they can no longer do the work effectively. Navigators are not in place yet and one can’t help that feel that the participants of the NDIS are the real losers in these changes.
We all do what we can, sometimes we need to take care of ourselves, so we can take care of others.
We wish you well, as always
The Lama Care Team
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