Meet Cecilia Libor Lictaoa, Plan Manager in Windermere’s NDIS team

“When I saw the plan management role, I instantly knew it was my dream job.”

After a long career in finance spanning 22 years, Cecilia felt the need to bring her expertise to the disability sphere and make a difference in the lives of others. She found in Plan Management her ideal career.

Complete with a bachelor’s degree in commerce, Cecilia had the knowledge and experience in dealing with numbers and figures. In order to venture into disability services, Cecilia completed a Certificate III in Individual Support and Certificate IV in Mental Health which allowed her to support NDIS participants as an Independent Support Worker for over two years.

The reasons to choose a career in disability services were also of personal nature. Cecilia has firsthand experience in dealing with the NDIS. She relies on NDIS funding to access a range of supports for her a son who has complex needs due to his disability.  

“He has wonderful carers and this makes my life easier. I can go to work knowing that he is taken care of. I decided that I could do the same for someone else,” she says.

Becoming a plan manager

The Plan Manager role was a dream come true for Cecilia as Plan Management unites her two loves, numbers and disability support. Cecilia was also no stranger to not for profit Windermere as she had sought services for her son many years ago.

“I have always wanted to work at Windermere and here I am. When I saw the plan management role, I instantly knew it was my dream job. I am really happy to be working here.”

First as an NDIS participant, then a support worker and now a plan manager, Cecilia has gained a unique and well-rounded perspective of NDIS. As a plan manager she tackles a range of financial admin tasks such as keeping track of the NDIS funds, fulfilling reporting requirements and organising payments on time. Backed by her experience in finance, she understands clearly, the doubts and concerns of someone who is very new to NDIS.

“I can talk it through with them about what they can and cannot do with their plan and what is reasonable and necessary. There are grey areas with the NDIS that I can help clear up for them,” she says.

Plan Management also helps individuals make the most of their fund as plan managers can draw from their knowledge and understanding of the price guide structure and advice on how funds can be utilised for supports that help meet their goals.

“For someone with mobility issues swimming lessons may help with improving leg strength and muscle development, but you can’t simply claim for swimming lessons. If one of the goals set in your NDIS plan is to walk without support or develop independence, you would need to align swimming lessons with that goal through a session with a physiotherapist and provide supporting documents,” explains Cecilia.

Windermere’s Plan Management services: the difference

As someone who accesses plan management services, Cecilia is quick to note the difference Windermere plan managers offer especially in the way support is delivered.

“We take that extra step to communicate with those we support and let them know that we are here and are available if they need assistance. That communication I believe is very important especially when you've just started with your plan and have no idea what to do with it."

"I can also vouch for the quality of service now that I work here,” says Cecilia. 

Lynn* who recently signed up for Windermere’s Plan Management services affirms the difference in Windermere’s services. She quickly gained confidence in Cecilia as her plan manager and appreciated the time taken to listen to her and discuss her funding.

“Cecilia is just so warm and genuine. I knew I could trust her. It was because of my interactions with Cecilia that I decided to use Plan Management services.  I had confidence in her to get things done and she does all the right things,” says Lynn.

Cecilia also offers advice and insights drawing from her own experience and is able to listen and understand the thinking of those she supports. Sometimes it’s simply lending a listening ear as she does with Lynn.

“I simply listen to her when she needs someone to talk to and I love talking to those I support. It’s very rewarding that I can help someone,” adds Cecilia.

Working at Windermere

When she commenced her role as plan manager, Cecilia quickly realised that there is much more to plan management such as understanding processes and procedures in addition to financial admin tasks.

She expanded her knowledge and expertise to effectively deliver services with the support of other plan managers in the team. 

“My team and my team leader are wonderful. They helped me whenever I needed support and I am very confident with what I do now. It’s been a wonderful learning journey for me,” says Cecilia.

Cecilia also notes that this supportive and welcoming environment extends to the wider organisation.

“The work culture here is very good, people are very friendly and supportive and I am really happy,” she adds.

When Cecilia is not living out her dream job, she spends time with her son and enjoys the quiet time on Sundays with him when there are no carers. She also enjoys gardening and tends to all the plants in her garden and takes on DIY home reno projects to transform her living spaces.

Looking for a suitable NDIS Plan Management provider that understands your needs? For more information and to sign up, please click here.