About Stepwise
Stepwise was created to bring calm, clarity, and consistency to the NDIS experience.
Sonia believes everyone deserves support that is personal, reliable, and built around their goals, not just their plan.
Stepwise is a small, independent practice where you work directly with Sonia every step of the way. You can expect steady support, clear communication, and a genuine relationship built on trust and understanding.
Our values at Stepwise
Clear, consistent communication.
A calm, steady approach to complex situations
Respect for your goals and choices.
Reliable, professional support
Get to know Sonia
Sonia Payne is an Accredited Social Worker with more than 20 years of experience supporting people through major life changes.
After graduating from the University of Western Australia in 2003, Sonia worked across rural Western Australia, the United Kingdom, and Perth. She developed her skills in palliative care, rehabilitation, surgery, and burns before becoming a Senior Social Worker on the Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit at Shenton Park in 2004. For 16 years Sonia supported people with Acquired Brain Injuries across Shenton park and Fiona Stanley Hospital. She has also supported individuals with other complex needs, including those with spinal injuries, amputations, early onset dementia and neurological conditions. She understands the emotional and practical challenges that come with a new diagnosis for both individuals and families.
Sonia has extensive experience helping people move from hospital back into the community. This is her passion. She focuses on ensuring her clients have the right resources, connections, and supports to achieve their goals and maintain independence.
For the past five years, Sonia has specialised in NDIS Support Coordination and Case Management. She has a strong understanding of NDIS processes, reviews, and Home & Living applications, and is known for her calm, organised, and thorough approach.
Sonia founded Stepwise to make the NDIS feel clearer and more manageable for people adjusting to life with an acquired disability. Her work is professional, ethical, and grounded in care. She walks beside her clients, helping them build confidence and move forward with support that truly fits their lives.
What Social Work Means at Stepwise
Social work is a university-qualified, accredited profession. Social workers are trained to support people across many parts of life: health, disability, family, community, and the systems that connect them.
At its heart, social work is about seeing the whole person and the bigger picture. It means understanding how services like hospitals, the NDIS, Aged Care and community supports fit together, and helping you find a path through them that makes sense for you.
For Sonia, this is the foundation of Stepwise. She brings professional knowledge and experience, but also warmth and care; walking alongside people so they feel supported, respected, and less alone when things get complex.