The world witnessed some very difficult times during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Perhaps, it is safe to say that we’ve finally defeated the pandemic.
But millions were left affected by the brunt of the deadly coronavirus. So many are now disabled and in need of care and support.
Undoubtedly, this is the right time to opt for a career in the Disability Support Services sector. This sector also unfolds a unique business opportunity for those who wish to make a difference in the lives of the disabled and also earn a decent livelihood.
So if you already have some experience in this field and wish to dive deeper by starting your own Disability Support Service Organization, you’ve come to the right source for information and guidance.
Let’s begin with the basics.
Deciding about the Business Entity
When you start a new business, you need to decide how it will be identified. You have two broad options: you can either establish a sole proprietorship or a company.
Starting as a sole proprietor allows you the flexibility to keep the structure and operations less formal. It is ideal if your investment is small and you want to restrict operations to your locality.
If you’re interested in operating at a larger scale, maybe opening several branches in the city, or expanding your services to other states, it makes more sense to get your business registered as a public or private company.
Remember, that as a sole proprietor, you can be held personally liable if there are lawsuits or debt recovery proceedings against the business.
Getting Registered
Every business must get registered with the government before it starts its operations. Once you’ve decided about the business structure, selected a name, found the office location, etc. apply for the Australian Business Number (ABN).
The ABN number acts as an ID for your business for all commercial and official purposes, especially for filing GST and other commercial taxes.
Disability Service Providers also need to apply for registration under the Disability Act 2006. The application can be submitted after you conduct a self-assessment and declare that your organization meets the prescribed Human Services Standards.
Setting Up the Taskforce
It is quite obvious that as a Disability Support Service Provider, you will need a team of well-trained and qualified staff.
Take the staffing aspect very seriously because if you hire unmotivated or unskilled employees, your organization will not be able to deliver the best services to your clients.
The staff should be competent and also compassionate. All your clients would expect personal attention so make sure that you’re not understaffed. If possible, hire a few trainees and enroll volunteers too.
If you think your team needs more training or needs a bit of upskilling, offer a brief training program for all employees before they start the fieldwork. You can make a customized training program to suit the requirements of your organization with the help of RTO materials and resources.
Finding Business and Stability
The tips we discussed before are related to the foundations of your business. Naturally, the next step is “doing business”!
The Disability Support Services sector is also a very competitive one, with a few strong players being the top preference of a majority of clients. But don’t let this stiff competition deter you.
A good reputation is the strongest marketing strategy for any disability support service provider. You just need to start with the first couple of clients. If you deliver exceptional services from the very beginning, the word about your work will spread quickly.
You can find clients by promoting your services online and by volunteering at charities and healthcare facilities. Don’t forget to collect genuine client reviews and publish them across social media and your website.
Conclusion
Being a disability support service worker is indeed an off-beat career choice. But this field is not short of wonderful opportunities for personal development and professional growth.
Sure, you will face some challenges in the initial phase of starting your business, but that’s going to happen no matter what career path you opt for.
If you are passionate about helping the disabled lead a happier and more fulfilled life, you should definitely pursue this business opportunity.
