OT Unplugged: Community of Practice Insights

• S7E08 - Inconsistency, Delays and Risk: The NDIS Reality Check

  As the year comes to a close, many OTs are feeling stretched. Illness, client demand, school schedules and end-of-year fatigue all shape the workload long before the NDIS is even factored in. When you add shifting guidelines, slow processes and decisions that seem to change without warning, it’s clear why many practitioners are questioning how to keep their work sustainable. A new NDIA inquiry and why it matters A parliamentary inquiry into the administration of the NDIA has been announced, with submissions due in January 2026. Its scope includes financial sustainability, regulatory performance and how the agency oversees compliance and reporting. While this can feel removed from day-to-day clinical work, inquiries of this scale influence the policies and operational rules that eventually shape practice. They also offer a pathway to highlight recurring systemic issues rather than isolated individual cases. Many OTs, however, find the terms of reference vague, which makes it difficult to know what kind of feedback is genuinely useful. Despite that uncertainty, one theme dominates in almost every OT’s experience… Inconsistency across decisions and processes Inconsistency remains the issue practitioners raise most often. The scheme no longer resembles the “half-built plane” analogy from its early years. Instead, it feels like a fully built aircraft whose destination keeps shifting. Practically, this means similar requests can produce wildly different outcomes. Sensory equipment may be approved under core funding for one child but rejected for another. Progress reports may be viewed as essential in one region yet unnecessary in another. Even assistive technology requests that appear to match published pathways can be knocked back for technical reasons that feel arbitrary. For example, a vision-adapted induction cooktop designed to replace an unsafe gas system may be rejected under the replacement pathway because it requires installation, forcing OTs to reposition the request as a minor home modification instead. These inconsistencies are compounded by the fact that some Operational Guidelines have not been updated in several years, leaving practitioners expected to comply with rules that do not always align with current practice. This complexity makes it difficult for OTs to provide clear guidance to families, and unrealistic to expect that professionals can “just know the rules” when the rules behave unpredictably across teams, regions and time. Change of circumstances and the new threshold for risk Change of circumstances processes have been increasingly slow, and recent legislative updates have raised the threshold for acceptance. It is no longer enough to demonstrate increased need. There must now be explicit evidence that the participant’s health, safety or wellbeing is at risk if the plan is not reviewed. For adults, clear risks may include missed medication, unsafe personal care, housing instability or unmonitored behaviours. In paediatrics, this is more complex. When a parent becomes unwell, dies or can no longer provide care, the remaining caregiver typically absorbs far more support than is sustainable. A child’s needs may appear to remain met, but only through significant sacrifice by the caregiver. OTs face the ethical challenge of needing to describe these pressures clearly enough to justify support while also protecting families from unnecessary scrutiny. This requires sensitive, precise documentation that identifies the unmet need that emerges when caregiver capacity changes, and links this directly to the child’s health, safety and wellbeing. The emotional load of review and tribunal processes More NDIS decisions are progressing to external review, and many OTs are being drawn into tribunal processes despite having no training in giving evidence. The tribunal’s task is to determine whether the NDIA’s decision was legally correct, yet many therapists feel personally scrutinised when asked to justify their assessment or clinical reasoning. In theory, an OT’s role is straightforward: explain the assessment, reasoning and recommendations. In reality, practitioners report uncertainty about preparation, what can be billed, how to answer targeted questions and what their legal obligations are. The emotional strain is significant, especially when paired with the desire to support families through stressful disputes. Without clearer processes or consistent communication, this part of the system risks contributing to burnout among already stretched clinicians. Using evidence and case law without becoming overwhelmed Some therapists are beginning to reference tribunal decisions in their reporting, particularly in complex areas such as specialist disability accommodation. These decisions can be powerful when they clarify how legislation must be interpreted, especially where NDIA policy and practice do not align. However, tribunal documents are lengthy and technical, and older decisions often relate to supports no longer considered part of the NDIS. Expecting clinicians to stay across an expanding body of case law is unrealistic. Shared resources that provide plain-language summaries and organise decisions by support type would be far more sustainable. Until such tools are widely available, OTs need to remain selective about which decisions they reference and focus on those that are recent, relevant and legally aligned with current legislation. What AI offers – and what it cannot replace AI has quietly become part of many OTs’ workflows. It is particularly useful for non-billable or background tasks such as summarising supervision sessions, structuring report sections or organising information. It can also improve the clarity of written work and reduce cognitive load during busy periods. Its limits, however, are clear. AI still misquotes transcripts, mixes up names or roles, and occasionally produces inaccurate information. It must be carefully reviewed. Because of this, AI is not likely to increase KPIs in any meaningful way. The time it saves is mostly time that clinicians were never billing for in the first place. AI is best understood as a tool that supports clarity, quality and sustainability rather than a way to increase billable output. Key takeaways for OTs • Inconsistency across regions and decisions remains the biggest systemic challenge and often cannot be resolved at the individual clinician level. • Change of circumstances requests must now clearly demonstrate health, safety or wellbeing risk, not just increased need or carer burden. • In paediatrics, documenting unmet need after changes in caregiver capacity requires sensitivity, clarity and careful risk framing. • When involved in review or tribunal processes, OTs are there to explain their reasoning rather than decide the outcome, and clearer guidance is essential. • Tribunal decisions can strengthen recommendations, but only recent and relevant cases should be used. • AI supports documentation quality and reduces administrative load but does not replace clinical judgement or meaningfully increase KPIs.

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• S7E07 - Crunch Time Again: Inside the New Pricing Analysis and Disability Sector Report

  Navigating sector uncertainty and what OTs need to know right nowThe disability sector continues to shift rapidly, with new reports, pricing discussions and workforce pressures influencing how providers operate. For many OTs, the mix of policy noise, business demands and day-to-day practice pressures can feel overwhelming. This week’s developments highlight the importance of staying informed, planning deliberately and understanding the broader context shaping service delivery. Life and business behind the scenes Many OTs are juggling work demands alongside family responsibilities, volunteering commitments and the realities of running a business. The pressures of the past year have left many clinicians stretched thin. For some, even basic self-care and community involvement have been pushed aside in favour of immediate business demands. This is a reality across the sector, not a personal failing. It is a reminder that capacity fluctuates over time and that professional expectations must be balanced against what providers can realistically sustain. As workloads intensify and uncertainty continues, reassessing commitments has become essential. Many clinicians are now reconsidering their volunteer roles, workload distribution and business structures to prevent burnout and protect long-term career sustainability. New analysis on physiotherapy pricing and what it signals for all allied health The Australian Physiotherapy Association recently released an independent analysis of the 2024–25 Annual Pricing Review. Although focused on physiotherapy, the findings mirror concerns shared across allied health. Three major issues were identified...Session durations were modelled inaccurately: The APR assumed longer average session times than what occurs in practice. This inflated the perceived hourly rate and contributed to lower price caps. The review found typical private consults were closer to 30 minutes, not 45. Data sources were limited and unrepresentative: The APR relied heavily on publicly listed prices, selective Medicare data and a single private health insurer. Most physiotherapy clinics do not publicly publish fees, and the data used did not reflect the complexity, load or structure of disability work. NDIS-specific complexity was not sufficiently captured: Productivity expectations, non-billable time, compliance requirements and travel obligations differ significantly between NDIS and private practice. The model did not account for this, underestimating the cost of delivering disability-specific services. Independent benchmarking estimated a realistic 75th percentile hourly rate closer to $215–$260 per hour, considerably higher than the APR’s estimate of $150. While this report focuses on physio, its themes are highly relevant to OTs. Many of the same pressures exist across disciplines, including heavy administrative loads, higher complexity and significant non-billable work. Importantly, this is not a moment for allied health professions to compete or criticise one another’s peak bodies. Sector sustainability will only be strengthened through unified advocacy, shared messaging and coordinated responses to policy change. What the 2025 State of the Disability Sector Report tells us National Disability Services has released its latest State of the Disability Sector report, offering a comprehensive snapshot of provider sentiment, business viability and workforce conditions. Several findings stand out... Financial pressure remains severe: A large proportion of providers are operating at a loss, with some reporting deficits of $500,000 or more. Around half continue to operate in the red, with another quarter only breaking even. Market exits have not increased as sharply as anticipated: Although some providers have withdrawn, the overall exit rate has not risen dramatically in the past year. The highest levels of exit were recorded during the previous period. However, these data are likely drawn predominantly from registered providers, meaning the real picture for non-registered providers is less clear. Workforce shortages remain a significant risk: Recruitment and retention continue to challenge providers across all disciplines. High turnover, wage pressures and competition from other sectors such as aged care are contributing to instability. Complex clients face the greatest vulnerability: Some providers are reducing services or narrowing the complexity of clients they support. As financial strain grows, those with higher needs are at increased risk of losing access. Despite the challenges, the report highlights ongoing resilience and adaptation. Many providers are diversifying, improving processes, investing in technology and strengthening internal capability. What this means for OTs and the future of practice... The current environment reinforces the need for deliberate planning and strategic development. Several themes are emerging for OTs... Reassessing business models is essential: Understanding true cost of service delivery is more important than ever. This includes labour, compliance, supervision, non-billable time, travel, insurance and overheads. Pricing structures should reflect the genuine cost of providing high-quality services across all client types. Internal workforce development is becoming increasingly important: With reduced funding and tighter margins, external supervision and training may become harder for some businesses to sustain. High-quality internal competency frameworks, clinical pathways and structured supervision systems are now critical. They ensure early-career practitioners are safe, supported and progressing towards advanced practice. Complex caseload expertise will be in demand: As the sector shifts, practitioners with capability in complex needs, high-cost assistive technology, positioning, behavioural complexity and multi-disciplinary collaboration will be increasingly sought after. Building skills in complex practice areas protects service continuity for vulnerable clients and strengthens professional sustainability. Providers must build clear client risk plans: Contingency planning is becoming essential. Participants need transparent information about provider availability, funding limitations and alternative pathways if services change. These conversations support informed decision-making and ethical practice. New Evidence Advisory Committee consultation now open The Evidence Advisory Committee has opened its December 2025 consultation round, seeking input on several supports: art therapy, music therapy, functional electrical stimulation, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, prosthetics containing neural interfaces, therapy suits... This follows recommendations from the Stephen Duckett review, which suggested a more detailed analysis of art and music therapy for specific cohorts. Anyone who previously made submissions to the Duckett review can resubmit the same material to this consultation round. Submissions close at 11.59pm AEDT on 20 January 2026. Feedback can be provided via online survey, PDF, written submission or video. Given the timing across the Christmas and summer period, practitioners who wish to contribute should plan ahead to ensure their voice is included. Upcoming changes to payday superannuation One confirmed change on the horizon is the introduction of payday superannuation, commencing 1 July 2026. Under this reform, employers will be required to pay super at the same time as wages, rather than on a quarterly cycle. For employees, this will mean faster super growth. For employers, it will require more consistent cash flow and financial planning. Service providers with multiple staff members will need stronger budgeting processes to ensure super obligations can be met weekly or fortnightly. Now is the time to begin modelling how this shift may affect business operations, payroll schedules and financial forecasting. Key takeaways for OTs• Sector pressures continue to intensify, making sustainable pricing and clear business models essential.• Workforce development and internal training systems are becoming increasingly important as caseload complexity rises.• Complex clients are at greater risk of losing services, creating an urgent need for clinicians skilled in advanced and high-needs support.• Financial strains across the sector reinforce the need for unified allied health advocacy rather than discipline-by-discipline competition.• The Evidence Advisory Committee is now seeking input on several supports, including art and music therapy, with submissions closing on 20 January 2026. Useful Links https://consultations.health.gov.au/evidence-advisory-committee-eac/december-2025/ https://nds.org.au/images/State_of_the_Disability_Sector_Reports/NDS8221%20NDS%20State%20of%20the%20Disability%20Sector%20Report%202025_FINAL.pdf https://australian.physio/advocacy/NDIA-annual-pricing-review-report https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/business-bulletins-newsroom/payday-super-legislation-introduced

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• S7E06 - The Year End Squeeze: Protecting Your Energy as NDIS Changes Accelerate

  The emotional load of the festive season As the year winds down many OTs are running on empty. December brings concerts, Secret Santas, toy drives and family events but it also brings rushed reports, urgent NDIS requests and long mental lists of what needs to be bought, wrapped or organised. Even joyful activities add planning and cost and for OTs with school aged children the competing dates and expectations can compound the strain. If you are feeling flat, irritable or overextended it is simply a sign that your capacity is stretched. The mix of home demands and workplace responsibilities makes this time of year uniquely tiring for clinicians. The quiet impact of funding shifts Layered on top of the festive season overwhelm are the effects of ongoing NDIS funding changes. Travel cuts, paediatric plan reductions and shifting referral patterns rarely make headlines but they are affecting participants and clinicians every day. Many families are receiving plans that drop mid term leaving significant gaps in supports with no simple way to bridge them. For OTs this means disrupted therapeutic relationships, difficulty maintaining caseloads and pressure to absorb the stress families are experiencing. Emotional fatigue becomes a predictable response when the system feels unpredictable. What the therapy supports pilot signals This pressure is occurring alongside major structural changes including the Therapy Supports Quality Pilot. The pilot is an invitation only initiative for medium to large registered providers that meet strict thresholds for revenue, caseload size, remote area service delivery and multidisciplinary practice. While framed as a way to understand therapy quality and cost many OTs believe the pilot will contribute to future block funding models dominated by large NGOs. Smaller services, sole providers and regional practices are unlikely to meet the criteria even though they often deliver the most consistent therapy in remote areas. For frontline clinicians this could mean funding decisions drawn from incomplete data that does not reflect the realities of travel time, caseload complexity or community need. Staying informed and documenting the true cost of service provision is one practical way to protect your practice. The widening compliance gap Alongside the pilot sits a growing focus on fraud, audits and compliance. New legislation is expected to expand penalties for wrongdoing, increase the NDIS Commission’s powers and tighten expectations around documentation and evidence. There is also increasing attention on misleading marketing aimed at people with disability. While these measures appear reasonable OTs are reporting long delays in Commission responses and limited feedback when serious concerns are raised. The compliance burden is rising for individual clinicians and small services even as unsafe practices elsewhere are not always addressed with equal urgency. You cannot control regulatory timelines but you can protect yourself with clear functional documentation, transparent billing, strong service agreements and caution with any claims you would not be comfortable defending. Saying no to unsafe or non compliant requests OTs are receiving more requests for items or interventions that do not meet NDIS criteria or clinical scope. These might include high cost alternate therapies, cars or granny flats or equipment from the NDIS no list. It is understandable that families push when they are facing reduced funding but your role remains to ensure recommendations are evidence based, safe and compliant. A reliable guiding question is Would I stand by this recommendation at external review? If not, the answer is no. You can acknowledge participant preferences without compromising your recommendation. For example: The participant’s preference is X. Based on my clinical assessment and current guidelines my recommendation is Y. For early career OTs supervision is essential. Confidence in navigating these decisions grows with mentoring, structured reflection and clear clinical frameworks. Why end of year boundaries matter All of this plan reductions, shifting rules, emerging pilots, compliance pressure and the emotional load of December creates the perfect environment for blurred boundaries. It becomes tempting to say yes to every urgent request, chase down problems created elsewhere or work late into the night to keep families supported. But each yes signals that your wellbeing is negotiable. Clear boundaries do not require long explanations. Short statements preserve clarity and rapport: “I cannot complete a quality report in that timeframe. I can have it ready by [date]”, “I do not offer weekend work so we will need another solution” or “this sits outside what I can recommend as reasonable and necessary”. Within teams shared language helps. Phrases such as I have discussed this with our clinical lead and we are not able to proceed on that basis frame boundaries as professional standards rather than personal reluctance. A federal senator recently reminded clinicians that rest is essential. We say this to carers often but we rarely model it. Boundaries are safeguards for clinical quality. Protecting your energy this December Finishing the year well does not require perfection. Small intentional decisions can help you start the break with more capacity. Set a clear cut off date for new assessments or reports. Block your rest time first and build your workload around it. Triage new requests so that safety critical tasks are prioritised and non urgent work can move into the new year. Delegate wherever possible and release anything that does not require your clinical skill. A genuine break is not a luxury. It is a risk management strategy. Rested clinicians make clearer decisions and provide safer, more sustainable care. Advocacy, community and leadership development Despite the turbulence the OT community continues to show strength in advocacy and collaboration. OTs are contributing to submissions, contacting MPs, signing petitions and sharing stories that highlight the true impact of funding cuts. Professional associations are engaging directly with government and leadership programs are supporting clinicians to develop self leadership, boundaries and resilience. Resources from educators such as Michelle Bihary offer frameworks around burnout, ethical decision making and sustainable practice. Connecting with OT learning communities such as Verve OT Learning can also provide clarity, direction and solidarity during a period of rapid change. Key takeaways for OTs • The festive season brings a heavy mental load for OTs at work and at home. Feeling exhausted is a normal response • The therapy supports pilot focuses on large registered providers and may feed into future funding models • Fraud focused reforms increase compliance pressure while systemic issues remain unresolved • Only recommend what you would defend at external review. If it does not meet that test the answer is no • Clear documentation and supervision help you capture preferences without compromising clinical reasoning • Travel cuts, paediatric funding changes and shifting referrals are reshaping practice. Your concern is valid • Advocacy, professional collaboration and leadership development strengthen the sector • Planning rest, setting limits and standardising boundaries are essential for end of year wellbeing

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• S7E05 - Wrapping Up the Year While the NDIS Ramps Up

  As the year closes, many OTs are juggling exhaustion, rising referrals, shifting NDIS rules and pressure from both paediatric and adult caseloads. The overlapping demands can feel chaotic, yet they share common themes that help explain why so many clinicians are feeling stretched. When recovery time disappears After conferences or big clinical weeks, many OTs return home depleted, only to find their calendars already full. Some practitioners restore energy through activity and constant movement, while others need slow days, naps or quiet routines. However you recharge, the year’s end highlights how little structured downtime most clinicians give themselves. More OTs are now blocking recovery days after conferences or travel, recognising it as essential rather than indulgent. The familiar end of year surge in NDIS work While families start winding down in November, NDIS referrals often spike. OTs are fielding urgent equipment requests, last minute home mod deadlines and frantic plan review preparation. Many are returning from brief leave to find complex home mods incorrectly declined or paperwork misplaced, forcing them to spend precious clinical time fixing administrative errors. This mismatch between urgency and system reliability is becoming one of the biggest contributors to burnout. Escalations, external reviews and the shifting ART landscape A pattern is emerging in complex cases. Once an ART application is lodged, some matters are being intercepted by an NDIA external review group that checks whether the dispute can be resolved without a full hearing. In several cases, the Technical Advisory Branch has stepped in to clarify details or review clinical reasoning, leading to new plans being issued quickly. Although far from consistent, this pathway has saved some participants months of delay. The downside is that it still depends heavily on OTs providing clear explanation, extra evidence or recorded walkthroughs, adding to already stretched workloads. Staffing growth, fraud focus and inconsistent decision making NDIA staffing numbers have grown sharply, yet the quality of decision making has not improved proportionately. Considerable money has been channeled into fraud investigations with modest results. At the same time, the scrutiny placed on participants and providers continues to intensify. The gap between the agency’s internal overspending and the tight control expected of participants is feeding frustration among clinicians who face constant checks, queries and payment delays. Alternate therapies and the renewed push for quality supports Confusion about what constitutes therapy persists. Non-allied health businesses continue marketing high cost interventions, such as hyperbaric oxygen sessions, as NDIS-fundable “therapy”. These practices directly conflict with the NDIA’s Quality Supports for Children resource, which outlines what good practice looks like and what families should question. For paediatric OTs, it is a timely reminder to ground recommendations in evidence, communicate clearly with families and redirect them away from interventions that do not meet reasonable and necessary criteria. Compliance expectations across sectors OTs supporting NDIS participants must comply with the NDIS Code of Conduct whether registered or not. The NDIS Worker Screening Check does not replace a Working With Children Check, although it can now meet screening requirements in some aged care roles. As payment integrity checks increase, clinicians need clear documentation, fee transparency and consistent processes, because the assumption that non-registered providers are exempt from obligations is no longer sustainable. Fraud crackdowns and looming system changes Government announcements signal further tightening around NDIS fraud, including closing payment blind spots and strengthening oversight. While details are pending, similar reforms have historically meant greater surveillance and more administrative burden for clinicians. OTs can expect ongoing payment checks and heightened interest in how decisions are justified. Thriving Kids uncertainty in paediatric practice Paediatric OTs face additional pressure from the proposed Thriving Kids reforms, which have met strong resistance from states and territories. Conflicting messages and limited clarity make strategic planning difficult. Some services are preparing for major shifts while others are holding steady. Clinicians involved in advisory groups are working to ensure evidence-based, accessible programs shape the final model, but timelines remain unpredictable. Support Needs Assessments and their consequences The proposed Support Needs Assessments are generating intense concern. They involve a structured conversation rather than allied health evidence, assessors may not be clinicians, and participants cannot review or correct the resulting report. Because the report will determine a single total budget, the only available review pathway appears to be requesting a completely new Support Needs Assessment. This creates a clear conflict of interest and reduces transparency. For OTs, the implications for functional assessments, reasoning and advocacy are significant. Paediatric caseload rhythms at year’s end Paediatric services face a different pattern to adult work. Families often avoid beginning therapy late in the year, supervision drops away and school access planning for next year becomes a priority. The final few sessions before shutdown can feel insignificant, yet reframing them as a short, purposeful block can help clinicians end the year with direction rather than drift. Planning for next year in an unstable landscape Clinicians who manage the year’s end most effectively tend to plan early, protect rest, stay selectively informed about reforms and avoid spreading themselves across every debate. For business owners, mapping school terms, public holidays and known conferences creates structure, while deliberately reserving breaks helps prevent the creeping normalisation of overwork. Key takeaways for OTs End of year fatigue is not a personal failing. Build recovery days around peak periods. NDIS workloads typically intensify in November and December. Expect administrative fires and plan buffer time. External review pathways are emerging, sometimes resolving complex home mods without full ART processes. Increased NDIA staffing and fraud efforts do not guarantee better decision making. Keep documentation strong. Be cautious of alternate therapies marketed to NDIS families. Anchor guidance in evidence and quality standards. Compliance obligations apply to all NDIS providers. Ensure your checks, systems and billing practices are current. Support Needs Assessments may radically change planning. Advocacy and awareness are essential. Paediatric caseloads slow at year’s end. Use remaining sessions intentionally and plan term 1 early. Protect your wellbeing by planning holidays, resets and workload rhythms before the year begins. If you need additional guidance on navigating NDIS complexity, paediatric practice design or sustainable business systems, connecting with OT-focused learning communities can provide clarity and support as the sector continues to shift.

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• S7E04 - From Knowledge to Practice: Making OT Conferences Matter

  Conferences are more than name badges and slides. Done well, they sharpen clinical judgement, build community and turn tricky ideas into steps you can use right away at work. Fresh from Rotorua during the Oceania Seating Symposium, plus a packed OT Week at home, here’s a practical round-up for clinicians who want learning that sticks – and guidance on turning your own experience into an accepted abstract. Why clinician-led conferences matter Academic rigour is essential, but frontline clinicians often ask a different question: what can I do differently tomorrow? Events designed for clinicians focus on clear takeaways, real case examples that include what worked and what didn’t and opportunities to compare notes across settings, regions and funding models including the NDIS. When a session helps someone put learning straight into practice, that’s the real measure of success. Knowledge translation made simple Bridging research to practice doesn’t need to be complicated. Start by distilling new information into a short explanation of what it is and why it matters. Decide when you would and wouldn’t use it with your caseload, then document the first few actions you’ll take, any risks to watch for and the outcomes you’ll measure. Adding these mini protocols to your team handbook helps everyone apply evidence consistently. Case studies that teach The most effective case studies are specific, ethical and authentic. Set the scene with person, environment and task demands before walking through your reasoning, including the options considered and constraints you encountered. Describe the adaptations you trialled, report the outcomes for function and participation and close with how the approach could be applied elsewhere. This structure translates well across paediatrics, adult rehabilitation, mental health and assistive technology. Ready to present? How to craft an abstract that gets up Most conferences allow only 250 words for an abstract, so every line counts. Choose a specific stream such as assistive technology, paediatrics, knowledge translation, mental health or rural practice. Follow the call for papers closely, using concise headings for background, aim, approach, outcomes and implications. End by promising three practical takeaways. A clear title using everyday clinical language helps reviewers and future attendees find your work. Abstract scaffold Background – briefly outline the issue and its relevance to practice.Aim – describe what you set out to explore or improve.Approach – summarise the context, participants and any tools or AT used.Outcomes – highlight functional results and lessons learned.Implications – show how others can apply the findings in their own setting.Takeaways – conclude with three direct, action-based points. Make it stick back at work Turn conference inspiration into change by creating a shared folder for slides, checklists and case examples your team can access. Hold a short debrief where each person commits to one small improvement they’ll trial in the next fortnight. Update protocols with a “first five minutes” section to guide new staff through initial steps of key assessments or interventions. Tracking a single metric, such as time to complete an AT script or participation outcomes, keeps progress visible and grounded in practice. Internal resources to explore Verve OT Learning hosts resources on NDIS essentials, assistive technology and professional supervision – all designed to support clinicians in everyday decision-making. These align with Verve OT’s focus on evidence translation, community and sustainability in practice. Travel, seating and participation We also discussed air travel for wheelchair users and how this continues to challenge accessibility. We may need to travel for conferences and not think twice, but what about our participants and when they want or need to travel? What is our role? OTs can assist in preparing a pre-flight planning guide, maintaining clear measurements for seating and mobility devices and developing contingency plans in case equipment is stowed or damaged. Clarifying team roles – from advocacy at the gate to follow-up after landing – helps make the process smoother for everyone. Advocacy is part of practice Another point discussed in today's episode...from local rallies to meetings with elected representatives, allied health professionals play an essential role in shaping policy. Learn who represents your area and how to arrange a conversation. Pair real stories with straightforward data, connect with advocates or professional bodies to strengthen your message and follow up with a concise written summary that includes a clear request. Advocacy doesn’t have to be grand to be powerful; steady, consistent communication creates lasting impact. Giving back: Wheelchairs for Kids And finally - volunteer-built, low-cost wheelchairs are transforming access to education, social participation and independence for children who would otherwise miss out. Sharing these stories with local networks or service clubs can inspire donations and partnerships. It’s a simple way to extend occupational therapy values beyond the clinic and into the community. Key takeaways from this episode • Prioritise knowledge translation through clear, practical steps• Use structured case studies to share approaches others can replicate• Build advocacy into regular practice using stories and simple data• Write abstracts to the rubric, highlighting three actionable takeaways• Prepare travel and seating tools in advance to improve accessibility

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