Working With Allied Health Professionals and Support Workers
Allied health professionals and support workers can both contribute to a participant’s goals, but they have different roles. Clear boundaries, consent and communication help the participant get consistent support without asking support workers to make clinical decisions outside their role.
The allied health professional provides clinical assessment and therapy
Qualified allied health professionals assess functional needs, set therapy goals, provide evidence-based interventions and make recommendations within their professional scope. Their recommendations should be specific enough for the participant and support team to understand.
Support workers focus on everyday assistance and implementation
Support workers can assist with daily routines, community participation, appointments and agreed strategies. They should follow documented instructions and escalate concerns rather than independently changing a clinical program.
Consent determines what information can be shared
The participant should know what information is being shared between providers and why. Consent should be proportionate to the purpose, and sensitive information should not be circulated simply because multiple services are involved.
Written instructions reduce inconsistency
If a therapist expects a support worker to assist with a strategy, written instructions can clarify what to do, how often, what to record and when to stop or seek advice. This is particularly important where safety or physical assistance is involved.
Regular review helps keep everyone in scope
The participant’s needs can change. A review can confirm whether the strategy is still appropriate, whether the support worker needs additional training and whether the therapist needs updated information.
Helpful related pages
Continue with the guide or service page that best matches the next decision you are working through.
Official NDIS information used for this guide
NDIS rules and terminology can change. These official pages are useful for checking the latest position.
Important: This AIC Services guide is general information, not clinical advice or an NDIS funding decision. Clinical therapy must be delivered by appropriately qualified professionals. Confirm provider qualifications, the participant’s current plan and official NDIS information before purchasing a therapy support.
Frequently asked questions
Should a support worker change a therapy program themselves?
No. Clinical programs should be changed by the appropriately qualified professional responsible for the therapy, not independently by a support worker.
Can information be shared between the therapist and support provider?
Yes, where there is an appropriate purpose and the participant has given the necessary consent. Only relevant information should be shared.
Why are written instructions useful?
They help the participant and support team understand the agreed strategy, reduce inconsistency and make escalation points clearer.
Contact AIC Services
AIC Services
54 Main Road
Moonah, TAS 7009
Phone:
1300 023 456
Email:
support@aicservices.com.au
Office Hours:
Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
54 Main Road, Moonah TAS 7009
To reduce unnecessary third-party requests, interactive mapping is available from our Contact page and Moonah office page.
Contact details & map