What do I do if I don't know where to start with Sparks Flow?

Just say so. Tell the team roughly what's going on in your own words, even if it's messy, and they will help you work out the next step. You don't need the right question sorted before you reach out.

What if I message Sparks Flow and just say 'not sure' or 'just looking'?

That's completely fine. You're not expected to arrive with a clear question. Say what's going on as best you can and the team will help from there.

Do I need to understand my whole plan before I start using Sparks Flow?

No. You don't need to know the whole plan before you begin. The dashboard's setup checklist walks you through the basics one step at a time, so you just do the next thing on the list.

What is the setup checklist in Sparks Flow?

When you first create your account, the dashboard shows a setup checklist. It walks you through adding a participant profile, bringing in your workers, and setting up your first roster, one step at a time.

Who built Sparks Flow and why?

Kim Matthews built Flow. She is a mother of three neurodivergent children and owns two disability support providers, so she knows what it's like to be so deep in the day to day of running support that you can't find the words to ask for help.

Is it okay to feel overwhelmed when setting up support with Sparks Flow?

Yes. Kim, the founder, has been there herself, saying some days her honest answer was 'I don't know, everything feels like too much'. If that's where you're at, you're in good company.

Guides/Explainer

Not Sure Where to Start With Sparks Flow? Just Say So

Not sure what you need? Tell Sparks Flow in your own words and the setup checklist guides you step by step. Written by Kim Matthews.

Kim Matthews · Self-managing parent, and founder of Sparks Flow · 3 min read

In short

If you don't know where to start with Sparks Flow, just tell the team roughly what's going on in your own words, even if it's messy, and they'll help you find the next step, while the dashboard's setup checklist walks you through adding a participant, bringing in your workers and setting up your first roster one step at a time.

If you land on Sparks Flow and don't quite know where to start, or you message us and all you can manage is "not sure" or "just looking", that's completely fine. Tell us roughly what's going on in your own words, even if it's messy, and our team will help you work out the next step. You don't need to arrive with the right question already sorted.

What if I don't even know what to ask?

I built Flow because I know what it's like to be so deep in the day to day of running support that you can't even find the words to ask for help. Between three neurodivergent kids and two provider businesses, some days "I don't know, everything feels like too much" was the most honest answer I had. So if that's where you're at, you're in good company.

How does Sparks Flow help me get started without a plan?

A few things that make this easier inside Flow itself.

When you first create your account, the dashboard shows a setup checklist. It walks you through the basics, one step at a time.

Adding a participant profile
Bringing in your workers
Setting up your first roster

You don't need to know the whole plan before you begin. You just do the next thing on the list.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

What do I do if I don't know where to start with Sparks Flow?: Just say so. Tell the team roughly what's going on in your own words, even if it's messy, and they will help you work out the next step. You don't need the right question sorted before you reach out.
What if I message Sparks Flow and just say 'not sure' or 'just looking'?: That's completely fine. You're not expected to arrive with a clear question. Say what's going on as best you can and the team will help from there.
Do I need to understand my whole plan before I start using Sparks Flow?: No. You don't need to know the whole plan before you begin. The dashboard's setup checklist walks you through the basics one step at a time, so you just do the next thing on the list.
What is the setup checklist in Sparks Flow?: When you first create your account, the dashboard shows a setup checklist. It walks you through adding a participant profile, bringing in your workers, and setting up your first roster, one step at a time.
Who built Sparks Flow and why?: Kim Matthews built Flow. She is a mother of three neurodivergent children and owns two disability support providers, so she knows what it's like to be so deep in the day to day of running support that you can't find the words to ask for help.
Is it okay to feel overwhelmed when setting up support with Sparks Flow?: Yes. Kim, the founder, has been there herself, saying some days her honest answer was 'I don't know, everything feels like too much'. If that's where you're at, you're in good company.

This article is general information only and is not legal, financial or NDIS advice. Check the NDIS (ndis.gov.au) or the Fair Work Ombudsman (fairwork.gov.au) for your own situation.