If you’re new to the NDIS or feeling overwhelmed by your plan, you’re not alone. Many Australians find the world of funding, providers, and service agreements confusing at first. That’s where NDIS Support Coordination comes in. But what does a Support Coordinator do?
In a nutshell, Support Coordinators are your guides in the intricate NDIS system. They assist you together with implementing your plan efficiently, growing your independence, and linking you up with the appropriate supports to help you reach your desired outcomes.
Let’s break down the key roles and advantages of NDIS Support Coordination so you can get the most out of your funding.
What is NDIS Support Coordination?
NDIS Support Coordination is a funded type of support to help participants:
- Understand and utilise their NDIS plan
- Connect with mainstream, community, and funded supports
- Develop skills and confidence to self-manage their supports
Support Coordination, as per the National Disability Insurance Agency differs from everyday case management or daily support. It is concerned with supporting you in putting your plan into action, and not direct care or therapy.
The Key Roles of a Support Coordinator
The following are the primary things that your Support Coordinator does for you:
1. Understanding Your Plan
Your NDIS plan might be a thick report full of funding categories, goals, and jargon. A Support Coordinator will meet with you to clarify:
- What each budget category is about
- What you can and can’t spend your funds on
- How do your goals relate to your funding
This simplicity provides you with control and confidence from day one.
2. Connecting You with Services
Their most familiar aspect, perhaps, is connecting you with the appropriate providers. They:
- Identify appropriate therapists, community programs, personal carers, or work supports
- Check provider appropriateness based on your cultural requirements, location, and preferences
- Help with service arrangements and bookings
For instance, if you plan to develop social skills, your Support Coordinator can arrange for you to be linked with a local community program with your interests.
3. Developing Your Capacity
Support Coordination is not merely coordinating your services. Its more fundamental purpose is to develop your capacity to arrange your support in the future. This might involve:
- Educating you on self-advocacy with providers
- Assisting you in making phone calls and inquiries independently
- Assisting you with your rights in the NDIS
4. Crisis Support and Troubleshooting
Sometimes, things don’t go as expected. If your situation changes or a service plan falls through, your Support Coordinator can:
- Assist you with switching your supports at short notice
- Work around funding restrictions or issues with providers
- Accompany you to plan reviews or reassessments
5. Plan Review Preparation
Your yearly or timely plan review is a significant chance to revise objectives and confirm that your funding continues to meet your needs. Support Coordinators:
- Gather reports and documentation from your providers
- Help you prepare transparent goals for your subsequent plan
- Accompany you at plan review meetings if necessary
Levels of Support Coordination
The NDIS finances various levels of Support Coordination based on participant requirements:
Support Connection – brief support to link with services
Support Coordination – continuing coordination to develop skills and put plans into action
Specialist Support Coordination – for participants with more significant needs requiring specialist support and teamwork
Your level of funding depends on your circumstances, objectives, and the intricacy of your support.
Who Can Access Support Coordination?
Not all participants automatically receive Support Coordination funding as part of their plan. The NDIS will consider:
- Your capacity to coordinate supports by yourself
- The intricacy of your support needs
- Will Support Coordination assist you in reaching your goals?
If you think Support Coordination would suit you, talk about this with your planner or Local Area Coordinatorat planning sessions.
Is Support Coordination Worth It?
Most participants say that having a Support Coordinator provides them:
- Peace of mind knowing that someone will be there to get them through the tricky bits
- Confidence to make things happen
- More time and energy to enjoy everyday life instead of form-filling
It’s especially worth it for individuals with multiple supports, complex health requirements, or NDIS newbies.
Selecting the Appropriate Support Coordinator
In picking a Support Coordinator, look at:
- Their expertise in your individual disability and cultural requirements
- Their communication skills and willingness to empower you
- Their openness about using funding (they will charge from your Support Coordination budget)
A good Support Coordinator works with you, not for you. They are committed to developing your independence over time.
The Support Coordination is more than paper-based assistance. It’s a person-centred service that can turn your NDIS experience from confusion and stress to confidence and clarity.
If you need caring and professional NDIS Support Coordinators, ADCS provides one-on-one support to help you effectively carry out your plan. Our experts stand with you, bring you together with appropriate services, and develop your skills for increased independence.
Contact us today to find out how our Support Coordination services can make a tangible impact on your NDIS journey.
