Service Providers: 10 Places to find your next NDIS Client

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It seems like a never-ending juggle to keep the lights on as a NDIS Service Provider. Razor-thin margins, huge compliance obligations (for obvious reasons) and the need to have a steady stream of clients requiring services, waiting at the ready, to minimise downtime costs.

If you’re starting out or are building in some foundations to your local network marketing efforts, these locations could be worth checking out.

Always be professional in your approaches to each of these network opportunities; just like when you reach out to all your local Support Coordinators. While knowing what NDIS Services are available for these community links to refer to, it’s not their primary function and some may be approached on a regular basis, so take this into consideration each time.

Put your energy into the spaces where NDIS participants and their families hang out.

As an NDIS Service Provider, you’re one of the links in the chain that empowers people with disabilities to live the life of their choosing. Knowing who your closest links in the chain are in your community means that you’ll be able to deliver a more coherent, inclusive service for your clients. Check out where the party’s at!

10 Places to find your next NDIS client

1. Community Centres

Many community centres host events and activities for people with disabilities and their families. Try your local council offices for a directory of all the community facilities in your area. Not only will these centres hold events that are designed for residents in the area, they are also usually low-cost, cater to specific demographics and are supported by a strong network of community members.

2. Local Hospitals and Clinics

Partnering with healthcare providers can help you reach individuals in need of NDIS services that they come into direct care of. Keeping in mind that these centres see a high volume of patients and may not be as open to individual service providers contacting them directly for referrals. It may be as simple as a brochure or business card in the waiting room or asking if they have a community noticeboard.

3. Schools and Educational Institutions

Special education departments and schools for children with disabilities can be valuable connections, especially if your skills and expertise are in these areas. Education centres are generally more difficult to create relationships with due to protecting the interests of children, so being introduced to decision-makers via mutual contacts would be most appropriate and more likely to be received well.

4. Support Groups and Clubs

Attend meetings and events of local support groups for people with disabilities and their caregivers, especially if the meetings relate to the services you offer or the people that you work with. These groups can be anything from condition or disability-specific support groups, (accessible) sporting clubs, special interest clubs (think DND, chess, photography, birdwatching) or anything else that is relevant to you and your (current and potential) clients.

5. NDIS Events and Expos

Participate in or attend NDIS-specific events, expos, and conferences to network with potential clients and other providers. There are many types of events to chose from, with many price points and attendee types. Research events thoroughly and ask peers in similar lines of work who have attended events in the past for their insights and outcomes from attending.

6. Local Libraries

Libraries often have bulletin boards for community resources and events where you can post information about your services. Libraries are often a regular hangout for participants and have great community resources for everyone to access.

7. Rehabilitation Centres and Allied Health Groups

Make contact with rehab centres and allied health professionals providing services to individuals recovering from injuries or surgeries and you become a potential resource for them to refer patients onto. As with other medical and health professionals, be aware of asking for too much and aim to be a valuable contact for them, rather than asking for favours, i.e. referrals.

8. Non-Profit Organisations

Collaborate with non-profits that focus on disability support, advocacy, and services; especially if you are working with people with specific conditions or needs.

9. Online Forums and Social Media Groups

Engage in online communities and groups dedicated to NDIS discussions and support. Everything from Kinora, Facebook groups and even LinkedIn for industry collaboration, referrals and support. Showing support, offering advice and creating referrals yourself will generate much more positive momentum than simply asking for new client referrals in each of these spaces.

10. Residential Care Facilities

Make yourself known to staff and residents at assisted living and long-term care facilities to offer your services. This could also be in the form of brochures of business cards or something more personal in approach, depending on the situation.

Where have you been the most successful in expanding your client base?

We’d love to hear your stories in the Providers Only community of Kinora.