Maura Hanney
Katoomba,Australia
Summary
Dynamic leader with extensive experience at Allowah, driving NDIS compliance and quality improvement across diverse disability services. Expert in strategic planning and stakeholder engagement, I successfully managed budgets exceeding $11M while fostering multidisciplinary team collaboration to enhance participant outcomes and service delivery. Passionate about continuous improvement and operational excellence.
Overview
8
8
Certifications
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Director Support Service Provision
Allowah
01.2018 - Current
- Executive and operational leadership across a broad portfolio of NDIS-funded disability and support services, including SIL, respite, day programs, allied health, nursing, community services and complex support.
- NDIS compliance, governance and quality
- Lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of NDIS-funded services within a registered disability provider.
- Apply the NDIS Practice Standards and relevant regulatory requirements to operational service delivery, governance, quality and participant outcomes.
- Lead organisational preparation for accreditation and NDIS audit processes, including review of policies, procedures, participant records, evidence, risk systems and service delivery practices.
- Develop practical compliance systems and tools to support staff to consistently meet organisational and NDIS requirements.
- Identify compliance, operational and clinical risks and implement corrective and preventative actions.
- Oversee quality improvement activities across multiple service streams and ensure identified issues are translated into practical operational improvements.
- Review service documentation, agreements, support models and operational processes to ensure they align with participant needs, funding requirements and organisational obligations.
- Develop and refine policies, procedures, forms, templates and operational frameworks to strengthen governance and audit readiness.
- NDIS service delivery and operations
- Provide strategic oversight of SIL, respite, day programs, allied health, nursing and complex disability support services.
- Lead service design and implementation across multiple NDIS-funded programs.
- Manage client funding portfolios exceeding $8 million, with responsibility for service utilisation, sustainability and alignment between participant needs and funded supports.
- Oversee complex participant support arrangements involving high physical support needs, behavioural challenges, clinical requirements and multidisciplinary care.
- Work closely with families, support coordinators, clinicians and other stakeholders to resolve complex service issues and achieve appropriate participant outcomes.
- Monitor changing NDIS requirements and translate these into practical implications for service delivery, billing, workforce and operational planning.
- Leadership and continuous improvement
- Lead multidisciplinary teams and support workforce development, capability and performance.
- Develop practical systems for rostering, support ratios, participant documentation, incident management and service delivery.
- Provide executive-level advice on operational risk, workforce requirements, participant safety, service quality and compliance.
- Lead change and improvement initiatives across a complex service environment.
- Manage competing priorities while maintaining high standards of accuracy, governance and participant-centred practice.
Physiotherapist / Therapy Coordinator
Allowah Hospital
01.2011 - 01.2018
- Led multidisciplinary paediatric therapy services within a hospital and disability service environment.
- Established and developed an Early Intervention Service under the Better Start program.
- Supported the organisation's transition to the NDIS and development of NDIS-aligned service models.
- Provided clinical supervision, multidisciplinary leadership and service development.
- Developed clinical systems and processes supporting safe, evidence-based and person-centred service delivery.
- Worked collaboratively with families, clinicians and external stakeholders across complex disability and rehabilitation services.
Children's Services Manager
Cerebral Palsy Alliance
01.2004 - 01.2007
- Managed regional disability services across four sites and a workforce of approximately 50 staff.
- Led service delivery, workforce planning, operational improvement and stakeholder engagement.
- Managed complex disability service environments with responsibility for quality, staff performance and participant outcomes.
- Supported multidisciplinary teams to implement consistent service systems across geographically dispersed locations.
Senior Manager
Northcott
01.2002 - 01.2004
- Led outreach services and assistive technology programs within a large disability service organisation.
- Managed cross-site service coordination and operational delivery.
- Provided staff supervision, conflict resolution and stakeholder management.
- Supported service improvement and coordination across complex disability support environments.
Education
Postgraduate Diploma - Physiotherapy
University of Sydney
Lidcombe, NSWLidcombe, NSW
Bachelor of Science - Anatomy
University of New South Wales
Kensington, NSWKensington, NSW
Skills
- NDIS Practice Standards & Compliance
- Audit Readiness & Evidence Preparation
- NDIS Registration & Provider Requirements
- Quality & Clinical Governance
- Policy & Procedure Development
- Risk Management & Incident Governance
- Participant Documentation & Service Systems
- SIL, Respite & Complex Support Services
- Allied Health & Clinical Services
- NDIS Service Design & Implementation
- Continuous Improvement
- Workforce & Operational Leadership
- Stakeholder & Family Engagement
- Service Agreements & NDIS Funding
- Strategic Planning & Service Development
- Budget & Financial Oversight ($11M)
- Multidisciplinary Team Leadership
Professional Value
- Provider-side expertise: Extensive first-hand experience of the operational realities of NDIS compliance, including implementing requirements across frontline services rather than viewing compliance solely from a theoretical or audit perspective.
- Compliance translation: Able to interpret complex regulatory and Practice Standard requirements and convert them into practical policies, systems, evidence and actions that staff can implement.
- Operational credibility: Combines senior executive leadership with clinical and frontline disability experience across multiple service types.
- Consultative approach: Strong relationship-building and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with providers while maintaining high standards of governance, accountability and compliance.
- Systems mindset: Experienced in developing practical frameworks, templates, processes and quality systems that improve consistency, evidence and audit readiness.
Personal Information
Title: Senior NDIS Compliance & Disability Services Leader
Registration And Clearances
- Registered Physiotherapist – AHPRA, PHY0001148085
- NDIS Worker Screening Check, Current
- Working With Children Check, Current
Core Expertise
- NDIS Practice Standards & Compliance
- Audit Readiness & Evidence Preparation
- NDIS Registration & Provider Requirements
- Quality & Clinical Governance
- Policy & Procedure Development
- Risk Management & Incident Governance
- Participant Documentation & Service Systems
- SIL, Respite & Complex Support Services
- Allied Health & Clinical Services
- NDIS Service Design & Implementation
- Continuous Improvement
- Workforce & Operational Leadership
- Stakeholder & Family Engagement
- Service Agreements & NDIS Funding
- Strategic Planning & Service Development
- Budget & Financial Oversight ($11M+)
- Multidisciplinary Team Leadership
Certification
DSC- NDIS Eligibility Reassessments 2026
Timeline
Director Support Service Provision
Allowah
01.2018 - Current
Physiotherapist / Therapy Coordinator
Allowah Hospital
01.2011 - 01.2018
Children's Services Manager
Cerebral Palsy Alliance
01.2004 - 01.2007
Senior Manager
Northcott
01.2002 - 01.2004
Postgraduate Diploma - Physiotherapy
University of Sydney
Bachelor of Science - Anatomy
University of New South Wales