FAQ

Friends Who Care provides disability support across Melbourne’s eastern and south-eastern suburbs. Our team is spread across a wide area, which helps us match clients with support workers who live reasonably close to them.

We support clients across areas including Knox, Maroondah, Yarra Ranges, Casey, Cardinia and surrounding suburbs. If you're unsure whether we service your area, contact our office and we'll let you know if we have suitable support workers nearby.

Friends Who Care supports people with disability who are looking for reliable, personalised support at home or in the community. Most of our clients receive NDIS funding, although we can also provide privately funded support.

Before services begin, we take the time to understand the person's needs, goals, preferences and the type of support they are looking for. This also helps us determine whether Friends Who Care is the right fit and whether we have suitable support workers available.

We believe the right match is one of the most important parts of good support. We look at your support needs, personality, interests, preferences and the kinds of things you would like to do. Where it matters to you, we can also consider things such as age and gender when looking for the right match.

We don't believe support workers and clients should simply be put together because somebody happens to be available. Our aim is to build a consistent team of workers you feel comfortable with and enjoy spending time with.

Yes. We understand that feeling comfortable with your support worker is important. Where possible, we can arrange for you to meet a potential support worker before regular supports begin.

If the match doesn't feel right, tell us. We would much rather find someone who suits you than expect you to continue with a worker who isn't the right fit.

Yes. Social and community participation is a large part of what we do. Our support workers can help you get out into the community, take part in activities you enjoy, try new things, attend groups or events, catch up with friends and work towards your individual goals.

Support should have a purpose, but that doesn't mean it can't also be enjoyable. We work with you to find activities and opportunities that suit your interests while helping you build confidence, independence, skills and social connections.

Yes. Friends Who Care support workers can provide transport as part of your support, including taking you to appointments, shopping, social activities, events and other places in the community.

Your support worker can stay with you and provide assistance during the appointment or activity where this is part of your agreed support. We can also help you work towards becoming more confident and independent when getting out and about.

Yes. Friends Who Care provides wheelchair-accessible transport for clients who need to travel while remaining in their wheelchair. This can include transport to appointments, activities, events and other community outings.

Please contact our office to discuss your individual transport and support requirements so we can make sure we can safely provide the right vehicle and support for you.

Yes. Friends Who Care can provide support with personal care and everyday activities at home, based on your individual needs and preferences. This may include assistance with showering, dressing, morning routines, meal preparation and other daily living tasks.

We aim to provide support in a way that respects your privacy, dignity and independence, helping you do as much for yourself as you can while providing assistance where you need it.

Yes. Friends Who Care can provide respite support where a client has appropriate funding. Respite can give clients a change of routine and new experiences while also giving families and carers a break from their usual caring responsibilities.

We plan respite around the individual, taking into account their support needs, interests and preferences. Contact our office to discuss what you're looking for and whether we can provide suitable support.

Yes. Friends Who Care can provide practical support at home, including cleaning, meal preparation and assistance with everyday household tasks.

Support is based on your individual needs and goals. Where appropriate, our workers can also support you to take part in these tasks yourself, helping you build or maintain everyday living skills and independence.

Sometimes a support worker and client simply aren't the right fit, and that's okay. If you don't feel comfortable with a worker or don't think the match is working, please contact our office and let us know.

We will listen to your concerns and look for another suitable support worker. We want you to have a team of people you feel comfortable with and look forward to seeing.

Yes. We want you to have a say in who supports you. We will talk with you about what you're looking for in a support worker, including things such as personality, interests, age, gender, experience and availability.

We will suggest workers we think may be a good match, but you can tell us if you have a preference or if someone doesn't feel right for you. Where possible, we aim to build a small, consistent team around you rather than having lots of different workers coming and going.

Contact our office and tell us a little about yourself and the support you're looking for. We'll talk with you about your needs, goals, preferences, location and the days and times you require support.

If we believe Friends Who Care can provide the right support for you, we'll work through the next steps with you and start looking at suitable support workers who may be a good match.

Friends Who Care charges the current NDIS price limit for the support provided. This means our rates change when the NDIS updates its pricing arrangements.

We will explain the rates and any applicable charges before your services begin, so you know what you will be charged.

You can contact the Friends Who Care office by phone, email or through the contact form on our website. We're happy to have a chat about the support you're looking for, answer your questions and let you know whether we have suitable support workers available in your area.