Emily Sandison
Warranwood,Australia
Summary
AHPRA-registered Registered Nurse and Registered Disability Practitioner with postgraduate qualifications in Mental Health Nursing and a background in psychology. Specialises in supporting individuals with psychosocial disability, Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), and complex chronic health conditions using recovery-oriented and practical counselling approaches. Combines clinical expertise with lived experience of disability to support individuals navigating complex healthcare and disability systems, particularly the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Experienced in helping individuals articulate functional impact, access appropriate supports, and develop strategies that improve independence, wellbeing, and community participation. Scope of practice includes psychosocial recovery coaching, mental health and disability support, nursing roles, and assistive technology mentoring, alongside contributing to disability-sector improvement through governance and advisory roles across health, disability, and education organisations.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Founder, Healthcare Advocate & Peer Support Specialist
The Recovery Toolkit / Self-Employed
Melbourne
01.2021 - Current
- Founded The Recovery Toolkit, providing practical recovery tools, education, and advocacy for individuals with chronic illness, psychosocial disability, and complex neurological conditions.
- Provide peer support, practical counselling, and guidance navigating healthcare and disability systems, including the NDIS.
- Assist with NDIS access and plan reviews by documenting functional impact and gathering supporting evidence.
- Support individuals to build routines, coping strategies, and recovery plans that improve independence and wellbeing.
- Provide guidance on assistive technology and self-regulation tools that enhance functional capacity and self-management, while advocating for greater awareness of invisible disability.
Client Relationship Consultant
InCare Supports
Melbourne
05.2025 - 09.2025
- Supported NDIS participants and families to access disability support services.
- Acted as a primary point of contact for clients seeking information about available supports and service options.
- Built strong relationships with participants through empathetic and person-centred communication.
- Assisted with onboarding new participants and identifying individual support needs.
- Coordinated communication between support workers, allied health professionals, and care teams.
- Maintained client documentation in line with privacy requirements and NDIS standards.
Mental Health Nurse
Ramsay Health Care
Melbourne
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Supported individuals experiencing acute and chronic mental health conditions within a clinical setting.
- Assisted patients with daily living activities including hygiene, routine management, and social engagement.
- Monitored behavioural and emotional wellbeing and reported concerns to the multidisciplinary care team.
- Facilitated psychoeducation groups and therapeutic activities under supervision.
- Maintained clinical documentation and treatment records.
Education
Postgraduate Certificate - Mental Health Nursing
University of Tasmania
01-2020
Bachelor of Nursing / Bachelor of Psychological Science - undefined
Deakin University
01-2019
Skills
- Psychosocial Recovery Support
- Mental Health Support
- Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) Support
- Complex Chronic Illness Support
- NDIS Navigation and Advocacy
- Practical Counselling and Emotional Support
- Assistive Technology Mentoring
- Recovery-Oriented Practice
- Peer Support and Lived Experience Advocacy
- Community Participation and Capacity Building
Certification
Registered Nurse – AHPRA Registered Disability Practitioner
Governance & Advisory Roles
Innovation / Lived Experience Contributor Summer Foundation 2023 – Present
Provide lived-experience perspectives to initiatives focused on improving housing, independence, and support systems for people with disability.
Course Advisory Committee Member – Physiotherapy Program La Trobe University 2023- Present
Provide lived-experience insight to support physiotherapy curriculum development and improve understanding of disability and chronic illness within healthcare education.
Professional Development Committee Member Victorian Disability Worker Commission 2026 – Present
Contribute lived-experience expertise to workforce capability initiatives and professional standards within the Victorian disability sector.
Lived Experience Contributor Victorian Social Services Regulator 2025 – Present
Provide insight to support safeguarding and quality improvement across social service systems.
Advisory Committee Member Storm by Beauty 2026- Present
Provide strategic input on accessibility and disability inclusion within product development and community initiatives.
Timeline
Client Relationship Consultant
InCare Supports
05.2025 - 09.2025
Founder, Healthcare Advocate & Peer Support Specialist
The Recovery Toolkit / Self-Employed
01.2021 - Current
Mental Health Nurse
Ramsay Health Care
01.2019 - 01.2020
Bachelor of Nursing / Bachelor of Psychological Science - undefined
Deakin University
Postgraduate Certificate - Mental Health Nursing
University of Tasmania