Information for Support Workers
Bringing a participant to our Bairnsdale gaming hub
We love welcoming support workers from other providers into our space. If you're bringing someone you support to ESports Collective, this page sets out what we ask of you while you're here - and why it matters so much to us.
You're welcome here
ESports Collective was created for our local community - a place in Bairnsdale where young people and adults can game, play, connect and belong. It's a family business, and we've invested a considerable amount of money to make it a reality.
What keeps the doors open is our NDIS Programs and Allied Health Supports. They're what make it possible for the space to stay here for everyone, from the kids dropping in after school to the participants who come every week.
That doesn't mean we want to be the only provider in the room. If you've built a great relationship with someone you support, we don't want to break what isn't broken - you're welcome to bring them in.
What we do have are expectations, and they're the same for every worker who comes through our doors. The rest of this page sets out what those expectations are, and why they exist.
Every seat in the room matters to a space like ours.
What do we expect from support workers?
If you're an NDIS support worker bringing a participant into our space, there are a few things we expect of you.
Be present in the session with the person you support. Chat, encourage, notice what they're enjoying and what they're working towards.
Pick up a controller, grab the next seat, join the game. Playing together is where connection happens, and it's the best support you can give here.
Say hello to the people around you, help your participant meet others, and be part of what makes this room feel welcoming.
Sitting on your phone or on the sidelines is not NDIS support
Whether you're scrolling right next to the person you support or watching from the back of the room, that isn't support. NDIS funding pays for the support - you, alongside the participant, working towards their goals. The games and the room are shared with everyone. So put the phone away, come off the sidelines and be involved.
Why does it matter so much?
Every session here takes real work. Our Supported Work Crew set up the space and welcome visitors. Programs they don't run yet, like Dungeons & Dragons on Tuesdays, rely on Dungeon Masters we employ to run each table, who prepare before and after every session.
Our community programs were never meant to pay the bills. We run them anyway, because they're what make this a space for everyone.
When you bring a participant in, your time here is paid support. Most of the support workers who come through our doors are brilliant, and we're so glad to have them. But when a provider is paid for time spent at one of our tables and nothing is added back to the room, that goes against the strong autistic sense of justice many of us share.
We put a lot into this space. All we ask is that you put something in too.
Do support workers pay to come in?
Not at the moment. We don't charge support workers who come in with a participant. But if you're taking up a space without contributing, that may change.
We don't want it to. Keeping it free for support workers simply means everyone playing their part.
Support workers can bring participants to casual gaming from 3pm Monday to Friday and from 12pm on Saturday, and to our community sessions. Some sessions, like Tabletop Mondays and Chess Wednesdays, are free - for others, the participant pays the standard rate. Our NDIS sessions are delivered by our own support team.
Questions from support workers
Can support workers bring participants to ESports Collective?
Yes, and we love having you. Support workers can bring participants to casual gaming from 3pm Monday to Friday and from 12pm on Saturday, and to our community sessions. Some sessions, like Tabletop Mondays and Chess Wednesdays, are free - for others, the participant pays the standard rate.
Do support workers have to pay?
Not at the moment. We don't charge support workers who come in with a participant. If support workers are taking up a space without contributing, that may change.
What does ESports Collective expect from support workers?
We ask you to be involved in the session, play alongside the person you support, and help build the community in the room.
Can I use my phone while I'm there?
For what the job needs, of course. But sitting on your phone, even next to the person you support, is not NDIS support. Please keep your phone away and be part of the session.
What if the participant is happy for me to hang back or be on my phone?
We respect that - choice and control matter, and some people genuinely want space. But giving someone space isn't the same as sitting out. You can play at the next seat, join a game nearby or chat with others in the room, and still be present and ready when you're needed. If someone doesn't need support while they're here, that's a great sign of growing independence, and worth talking through with them and anyone who helps with their plan. Either way, our expectation is the same for every worker who comes in: be involved, play alongside the person you support, and help build the community.
What if we're working towards the participant attending on their own?
We'd love that! It means a lot that someone would choose our space as the place to take that step, and it's a testament to the space and community we're building. If there's a plan to pull back support so they can start attending on their own, let us know what it looks like and the time frame you're working to. That way, when we see you stepping back a little more each week, we know it's part of the plan - and we can support it too. Seeing someone walk through our doors on their own is exactly what we're here for.
Can I attend an NDIS session with my participant?
Our NDIS sessions are delivered by our own support team, so participants use ESports Collective supports for those. Support workers from other providers are welcome at casual gaming.
Can I refer the person I support to ESports Collective?
Yes, referrals are welcome. We're a collaborative team - we send participants to other providers when we're not the right fit, and you can do the same. It can be really beneficial for the person you support, with access to ratio supports such as shared 1:2 sessions, and no fee to access the space - their NDIS funding covers the support from our team. Depending on their goals and plan, we can often use Capacity Building funding, which means their Core Social and Community Participation funding remains for the supports you provide out in the community. Make a referral and we'll be in touch.
Where is ESports Collective?
At our purpose-built gaming hub at 58 Macleod Street, Bairnsdale VIC 3875, in the heart of East Gippsland.
Come in and be part of it
We're glad you're bringing someone into our space. Be involved, play alongside them, and help us keep building a community that's here for everyone.
or call 0485 835 536