You've received a matched support worker profile, the compliance checks are done, and now it's time for the meet and greet. For many participants and families, this first meeting can feel nerve-wracking — especially if you've had negative experiences with workers before, or if it's your first time using NDIS supports.
The good news is that a meet and greet is a low-pressure, no-obligation opportunity to see if the fit is right. Here's what to expect, what to ask, and how to know when you've found the right person.
What Is a Meet and Greet?
A meet and greet is an introductory meeting between the participant (and often their family or support coordinator) and the potential support worker. It's not a formal interview — it's a chance for both sides to see if the personal connection works.
With Support Match, meet and greets are always free and come with no obligations. If the fit isn't right, you simply let us know and we'll find another match. There's no pressure to commit.
How to Prepare
A little preparation goes a long way. Before the meeting, think about what matters most to the participant — and write it down if that helps.
📝 Preparation Checklist
- Write down the participant's key needs and daily routines
- Note any specific preferences (gender, age range, interests, language)
- Think about what didn't work with previous workers (if applicable)
- Prepare a few questions you'd like to ask the worker
- Choose a comfortable, familiar location for the meeting
- Let the participant know what to expect so they feel at ease
What to Ask During the Meeting
You don't need a formal question list, but having a few topics in mind helps. Here are some conversation starters that reveal a lot about whether the fit is right.
This tells you about their motivation. You're looking for genuine interest in people, not just someone filling shifts.
Relevant experience matters. A worker who's supported someone with similar challenges will adapt faster and need less guidance.
Shared interests build rapport. If the participant loves cooking and the worker does too, sessions become more natural and enjoyable.
This reveals their communication style and problem-solving approach. You want someone who stays calm, communicates openly, and seeks solutions.
Practical, but essential. Confirm availability upfront so there are no surprises after you've committed.
What to Watch For
Beyond the answers, pay attention to how the worker interacts with the participant during the meeting. The non-verbal cues often tell you more than words.
Positive signs: They make eye contact with the participant (not just the family), they listen actively and ask thoughtful questions, their body language is relaxed and warm, they show genuine interest in the participant's life and interests, and the participant seems comfortable around them.
Red flags: They talk mostly to the family and ignore the participant, they seem distracted, rushed, or uninterested, they can't give specific examples of previous experience, they make promises that sound too good to be true, or the participant seems uncomfortable or withdrawn.
Trust your instincts — and trust the participant's reaction. If something feels off, it probably is. There's no obligation to proceed, and finding the right fit is worth waiting for.
What Happens After the Meet and Greet
After the meeting, take time to talk it through — with the participant, with family members, and with your support coordinator if you have one. There's no rush to decide on the spot.
If the fit is right
Let Support Match (or your coordinator) know you'd like to proceed. We'll help set up the service agreement, confirm the schedule, and get supports started — usually within a few days.
If you're unsure
That's completely fine. You can request another meet and greet with the same worker, ask for additional information, or take a few days to think it over. There's no deadline.
If it's not the right fit
No problem at all. Simply let us know and we'll go back to our network and find another match. This happens, and it's exactly why the meet-and-greet process exists — to make sure you're confident before support begins.
Tips for a Great First Meeting
✨ Top Tips
- Keep it casual — a meet and greet works best when it feels like a conversation, not an interview
- Include the participant — make sure they're part of the discussion and their voice is heard
- Meet in a comfortable space — the participant's home, a favourite cafe, or a familiar park
- Don't feel pressured — it's okay to say no, and it's okay to need time to decide
- Ask about interests — connection matters as much as competence
- Follow up — after the meeting, debrief with the participant to get their honest reaction
Ready to meet your matched worker?
Submit a request and we'll find, screen, and match a support worker for you — then organise a free meet and greet.
Get Matched