How Microboards Australia uses Podio
Microboards Australia is an officially registered Progress Podio partner
We use Podio to help families, Microboards, and support teams stay organised, connected, and confident in managing the day-to-day information involved in supporting a person with disability. Podio is a highly customisable system that allows small teams to build tailored digital workspaces. We use it as the foundation for creating personalised systems that support communication, coordination, and record keeping.
Our aim is to empower families and teams to build and manage their own systems with confidence — whether in Podio or another platform — with the structure and support they need to make it work in real life.
Why we use Podio
When we first began supporting people, it became clear that there was a need for a central system where everyone involved in a person’s life could safely share information, track supports, and stay up to date. After reviewing available tools, we chose Podio because of its flexibility, longevity, backing by big businesses and ability to be fully customised.
Over time, we adapted it into a quality-of-life management system for people with disability, designed specifically around the needs of each individual and their support network.
We have since developed more than 200 custom apps and structured workflows within Podio to support families and teams.
Podio was established in 2009, has a large international support group and is used by some very large international companies. We value the longevity, stability and support of the company.
How we help families use Podio
We work directly with families and support teams to build their own Podio workspaces. These are tailored systems designed around the person they support, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. We provide
- Pre-built apps that can be copied and then customised if needed
- Guidance on how to structure information in a clear and usable way
- Training for families and support teams
- Support to design workflows that match real-life routines
Setting up a system is not instant — it is usually developed over a few months to ensure it works well for everyone involved and reflects how the person is supported day to day.
What families can use Podio for
Once set up, Podio can be used to bring together all the important parts of a person’s support in one place, including:
- Communication and updates across support teams
- Daily or shift reporting from support workers
- Health and wellbeing tracking (physical and emotional)
- Recording important procedures, observations and changes over time
- Goal setting, task allocation, and follow-through
- Keeping everyone informed and aligned
This helps reduce missed information and ensures that everyone involved in a person’s life has access to what they need to provide consistent support.
Training and ongoing support
We don’t just set up systems — we also teach families and their teams how to use them confidently. This includes how to:
- Enter and update information
- Adapt the workspace as needs change
- Maintain and improve the system over time
- Use workflows and task systems
We also provide ongoing support as families and teams grow into using the system and refine how it works for them.
Impact on families
Families and support teams often describe the system as a “game changer” because it brings clarity, structure, and visibility to what is happening in a person’s life. It helps build confidence that important information is being captured, shared, and acted on appropriately, especially in situations where the person may not be able to communicate verbally.
Our approach
Every Podio system is built around the individual person and their support network. The focus is not on the software itself, but on creating a practical system that helps people stay connected, informed, and organised in everyday life.
Book a free session to find out more
If you'd like to know more about Podio or take a look at the workspaces and apps we have built using it, complete this form to request a free one-hour online session.