Since the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was legislated in July 2013 and fully rolled out in 2020, 260,000 NDIS providers have popped up throughout Australia. Incredibly, only 16,000 providers are registered.
Being a registered provider was a top priority for the founder of iCan Support Services, Amelia Greany, who was not afraid to meet the strict criteria required to be registered, cementing the company’s status as a trusted provider. Since 2021, the company has been offering a wide range of services for those living with a disability on the Sunshine Coast and in Rockhampton.
In delivering those services, Amelia is not content to just tick off a list of regulatory boxes. She is determined to deliver them differently, drawing on her own family history and prior working experience with IFYS, Southern Cross, Anglicare, volunteering for the Pyjama Foundation and being a passionate advocate for the Queensland Disability Association.
“The idea first came to me in 2016 when I got tired of everyone being treated as a number and not a human being. I had experience in child safety, as well as disability in my own family and I realised how shocking the services were,” she says. “Yes, being a registered provider gives people confidence that iCan Support Services is a reputable provider with its clients’ best interests at heart, but I want people to choose me because I practise what I preach.
“I look after my clients and go above and beyond for them and that’s what I expect from my team, my managers and myself. We’re trying to deliver a holistic approach to healthcare that is rooted in shared values by all our team members. Our company was built by workers, for workers.”
Those values are reflected in the name iCan Support Services and they mirror Amelia’s attitude to life. “I don’t like it when people say, ‘I can’t’. Even if someone is on the brink of losing everything, is in jail or rehab, that makes me try harder. Some providers will say that’s too hard or not worth their time or money, and that’s when I come in. No one is too complex or hard to help.”
Amelia understands how challenging it must be to live with a disability, having been confined to a bed and chair due to complications with the birth of her only child. “It can make you feel very helpless.”
She is determined that her clients will never feel helpless. “We offer a wide range of services to support our clients. They include core support and support coordination, social and community participation, in-home personal care and helping to find affordable housing and supported independent living accommodation.”
The company recently expanded into affordable housing – iCan Village – and has three properties in Maroochydore. “I love to empower clients to have both choice and control and to be able to live on their own. We encourage our clients to make breakfast with us rather than being served breakfast,” she says.
One of the services in demand is social and community participation. “Our clients may be interested in a team sport, shopping or attending medical appointments. We also organise activities tailored towards specific interests, such as caring for animals, arts and craft lessons, learning a skill or going to the beach or a farm.”
Another in-demand service is support coordination and affordable housing, assisting clients to live independently and be involved in their community. They also connect clients to different support systems to make the most of their NDIS plan.
Assistance to complete everyday tasks, such as gardening or getting ready in the morning, is available through the in-home care plan.
Originally intended to support around 410,000 people with disability, the NDIS scheme now supports just under 740,000 and is projected to grow to a million by 2034. Just under half of the participants are aged under 15 and the federal government recently announced that many of those children would transition to the Thriving Kids scheme.
Currently, the clients at iCan Support Services range in age from early twenties to over 50. “I know our clients’ birthdays and milestones, but I also know where their trauma comes from,” says Amelia. “It’s not just a service agreement, it’s about working together because if we can do it together, we’re unstoppable.”
let’s get candid
How long have you been on the Sunshine Coast?
We moved from Rockhampton to Maroochydore for a better life in February 2022. We wanted a fresh start. I love the coastal vibe here and the healing power of sunshine and the ocean.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
When my clients message me and say they’re so thankful for finding me. And seeing them smile. One of my clients had so much anxiety she could not drive herself to the shops. I love seeing them progress and empowering them to be the best they can.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
Finding team members that share our values.
Do you have time for hobbies or sport?
I love gardening and anything that smells nice. I make my own essential oils, hand creams and balms, which I love giving to our clients.
Who is your cheerleader?
Joel, my husband and my mum, Joy. They have always been my backbone – my biggest support system. Joel was a team leader and that’s how we met. My mum has been a registered nurse for over 30 years, hence my caring nature.
If you didn’t work in the care industry, what else would you do?
If I had my life to live again, I would be a vet because animals don’t have a voice.
What else is on the horizon?
I recently formed another company, 2nd Chances Australia. I’m a fierce human rights advocate and everyone deserves a second chance, no matter what they’ve done.