NDIS is a crucial part of the lives of people with disabilities in Australia. It helps them get the support they need and access a much more independent life. However, many participants and their family members often find it difficult to navigate the system and secure optimal care. The most common reason for this is due to a lack of understanding. That is why many choose to engage a ‘Support Coordinator.’
If you or someone you know is also considering hiring one, this article is going to help you understand it better. Read until the end, and you will find the next steps easier.
First things first—
Definition of Support Coordination
NDIS funds many disability services that are designed to help participants access the right care for their personal growth. Through this support, people with diverse disabilities can create suitable plans for their needs and reach their goals through them. The participants can also connect with various suitable disability support service providers and community groups through the NDIS. With such immense support, participants can build confidence and the ability to navigate the NDIS system on their own.
The experts who offer this service are called support coordinators.
Main Responsibilities of an NDIS Support Coordinator:
- Comprehending the NDIS plan:A support coordinator will help you understand your NDIS plan, its purpose, and how to use the allotted funds in the best way possible.
- Finding other service providers: They can also help you connect and link up with the right disability service providers for needs like therapy, personal care, or community activities.
- Coordinating support: Your chosen support coordinator will also make sure all your different services blend well together and that your needs are being looked after.
- Monitoring progress: Keeping an eye on how things are going with respect to your care is key, and a support coordinator will do it for you. This ensures that your services match your personal goals.
- Crisis management: Any problems that pop up along the way can be sorted out effectively with an expert by your side.
- Building capacity: Your support coordinator will also guide you how to manage your support on your own over time and become more independent.
The Three Levels of Support Coordination:
- Support Connection - Aimed at people who only need basic support, this service helps you manage your NDIS plan mostly on your own.
- Support Coordination - This is for those who need regular support to manage their disability support services and handle more complex situations.
- Specialist Support Coordination - This is for participants with high-risk needs who struggle to understand the NDIS system or need extra support in managing their plan.
The Funding for NDIS Support Coordination:
The NDIS Support Coordination funding comes from the participant’s capacity-building resources. Each allocation is uniquely tailored, hinging on what’s deemed “reasonable and necessary.” This assessment considers both the participant’s abilities and the lifelines offered by loved ones.
While funding amounts may waver between participants, the NDIS Support Coordination budget is often fixed. Participants are thus limited to spending only a prescribed amount on these essential services.
In case, your plan doesn’t mention anything about your support coordination levels, you have the freedom to select an amount that suits your needs perfectly.
Support Coordination vs. Plan Management:
- NDIS plan management focuses on funding oversight. It tells you how funds operate, pays service providers, and enhances participants’ money management abilities
- In contrast, NDIS Support Coordination is tailored for those struggling to access their support independently. It equips participants with skills to eventually navigate their own support without assistance.
The Typical Tasks of an NDIS Support Coordinator:
- Helping you understand your NDIS plan
- Clarifying how your NDIS plan works.
- Planning and coordinating your support
- Working together to set up your support services
- Connecting you with services
- Locating the right services for you
- Setting up and maintaining supports
- Making sure the services are running well
- Drafting service agreements
- Setting agreements and bookings for support services
- Learning what providers can charge for
- Comprehending the service costs
- Finding potential problems in getting support
- Devising ways to overcome obstacles to access support
- Coaching you on how to get the ideal support
- Delivering reports to the NDIA
- Working with you, your support workers, and family to devise optimal care
- Helping everyone function together for your benefit
- Supporting your independence
- Encouraging you to do things on your own
- Planning for unforeseen changes
- Getting ready for things like relocation or hospital visits.
- Strategising to avoid or handle crises.
- Raising requests for NDIS plan reassessments
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