Are you trying to make sense of your NDIS plan? It helps to have a well-connected and resourceful Support Coordinator by your side. Your Support Coordinator is responsible for facilitating your NDIS Plan to make sure you are happy, healthy, and empowered to live the life you choose.
What is an NDIS Support Coordinator?
Accessing a Support Coordinator is a type of service that is often included in an NDIS Plan under the ‘Capacity Building Supports’ category. If you are living with disability, you may have an allocation of funding for someone to help you manage all the different supports offered to you.
From community access toSIL, there’s a very wide range of support available under the NDIS. However, it can be overwhelming for someone who doesn’t have expert knowledge of the system to research, speak to and schedule services with the different providers. A Support Coordinator helps to make sure you’re getting the most value for your money while helping you to access all of the support services you need.
In a nutshell, a Support Coordinator will:
Get to know you and your goals
Help you to engage in supports of your choice
Manage your budget and your NDIS plan effectively
Encourage you to accomplish your plan!
The role of a Support Coordinator under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has evolved to provide comprehensive and tailored support to participants.
10 Ways a Support Coordinator Can Help You
1. Understanding Your NDIS Plan
Your Support Coordinator knows the NDIS like the back of their hand. They help you grasp the ins and outs, from budget breakdowns to understanding how funding is managed. If you need to know when quotes are required or how service bookings work, they’re knowledgeable, responsive and in your corner.
2. Planning and Coordinating Your Supports
Tailoring your plan to your goals and preferences is the name of the game. Your Support Coordinator helps you decide how you want services delivered, arranges schedules that match your goals, and introduces you to providers who can achieve your aspirations.
3. Connecting You with Supports and Services
Local services, community assistance, and government support – your Support Coordinator knows the ropes. They connect you to the right NDIS, community, or government services, so you engage with supports that align with your goals.
4. Establishing and Maintaining Your Supports
Setting up service agreements, understanding provider charges, and troubleshooting issues – your Support Coordinator makes sure your supports align with your needs. Plus, they’re there to help you adapt and find new providers if things aren’t quite hitting the mark.
5. Coaching, Refining, and Reflecting
Your Support Coordinator is more than a planner – they’re your personal coach. They help build your skills and confidence, showing you how to navigate NDIS systems, liaising with providers, and optimising your plan for the best outcomes.
6. Report to the NDIA
Reports to the NDIA are part of the deal. Your Support Coordinator provides crucial updates, including initial plan implementation, mid-term progress, and plan reassessment reports. It’s all about keeping your plan effective and relevant.
7. Capacity Building for Independence
Empowering you to take control is a priority. Your Support Coordinator works with you, your family, and your carers to explore ways you can exercise choice and control. They provide information in your preferred language and communication style, respecting your decision-making autonomy.
8. Crisis Situations – Plan, Prevent, Mitigate, and Act
Preparation is key. Your Support Coordinator helps you access crisis services when needed and makes sure there’s a plan in place. They may connect you with various services based on your circumstances. For complex situations, Specialist Support Coordination steps in. It addresses barriers and designs specific service plans tailored to your unique support needs.
9. Acting in Your Best Interest
Your Support Coordinator is your advocate, recommending supports that best suit your needs. They avoid conflicts of interest and adhere to the NDIS Code of Conduct to ensure your best interests are always prioritised.
10. Advocacy
If you need advocacy services, your Support Coordinator guides you to organisations through the National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP). While they don’t act as an independent advocate, they help you recognise when formal advocacy may be required.
Interaction is a registered NDIS provider. We offer a wide range of services and supports, including Support Coordination services to help you get the most out of your NDIS Plan.Get in touch with our friendly team to find out more.
Who Qualifies for Support Coordination Services?
Support Coordination isn’t a necessity for everyone with an NDIS Plan. While you may currently meet the criteria for a Support Coordinator, the NDIS might anticipate that, over time, you’ll develop the skills and confidence needed to navigate their system independently. In such cases, a Support Coordinator can assist in building your capacity, making it easier for you to manage on your own in the future.
Plans are tailored on an individual basis, allowing you to request Support Coordination if you deem it necessary. However, if you don’t make such a request but meet the criteria, Support Coordination might be automatically assigned to you.
Find Support Coordinators in Sydney
Your Support Coordinator is here to make your NDIS plan work for you in 2024. Their goal is simple: empower you to lead a fulfilling life with the right supports and services.
At Interaction, our team of Support Coordinators are experienced in understanding the specific needs of people with any type of disability, including Prader-Willi Syndrome. We can help you to secure the right type of funding in your NDIS Plan and support you in choosing the best services for your needs.
