The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) offers funding for a range of services that cater to your specific needs, whether you require daily in-home support or ongoing mentoring. Either way, if you or your loved one has a disability, you should be aware of the support that you're entitled to.
That's where a support coordinator comes in – they can facilitate and help you access the care that you need. But how does this service work, and why should you consider working with a support coordinator?
We'll explain the key roles that a support coordinator plays in helping you exercise choice and control through your NDIS plan.
What Is Support Coordination?
Support coordination falls into the capacity building support category, which is designed to help you build the independence and skills necessary to pursue your goals.
This NDIS funding will be used to help you find an appropriate support coordinator with the relevant knowledge, skills, and experience for your unique needs.
A support coordinator plays an important role in identifying and connecting clients to the appropriate disability support services, which they may not have been aware of otherwise.
They will organise the assistance that you need independently from other services, such as community access or daily living support. This means that they will be dedicated to finding the best support based on your unique needs, without the pressures of making a sale for their organisation.
Support coordinators won't make any choices for you – instead, they will empower you to make your own decisions, simply providing the support needed to take control of your care.
Types of Support Coordination
When it comes to choosing the right type of support coordination for you, there are 3 distinct levels that can be included in your NDIS support plan. These are:
- Support connection: Support coordinators will help you connect with either informal, community, or funded supports to get the most from your plan.
- Support coordination: A support coordinator will work with you to facilitate a mix of supports. These will be specially selected to help you live independently, maintain strong relationships, and participate in your local community.
- Specialist support coordination: Offering a higher level of assistance, a specialist support coordinator will help you manage challenges in your everyday support environment. This is designed for those with more complex disability or psychosocial needs, and ensures that you receive consistent delivery of service.
Benefits of Support Coordination Services
Regardless of the level or type of support you need, a support coordinator will be with you every step of the way. Here are 6 key benefits that they offer:
1. Help You to Understand Your NDIS Plan
Even once your NDIS plan has been approved, understanding how to start using it can be confusing.
One of the biggest advantages of support coordination is that it can help you navigate this complex system. Your specialist support coordinator will be trained to understand exactly how NDIS funding works, and can make you aware of exactly what you're entitled to within your budget.
They can eliminate the burden of administrative work that comes with using your plan, giving you the time and space to focus on achieving your goals. For example, they may help prepare for plan reassessment meetings, which ensures that your plan is properly catering to your needs.
Support coordinators can also check service agreements before you sign them, to ensure that the disability support service you choose will provide you with the appropriate care.
2. Connect You with the Appropriate Support Services
Another huge benefit of NDIS support coordination is that it can help you gain access to the support services that you need.
A good support worker will make referrals on your behalf and work to find the best value for the budget provided by your plan.
For example, they may connect you with NDIS support providers like Gracious Australia, who can help you find suitable home and daily living supports. This can range from assistance with making suitable living arrangements, to getting home modifications that allow you to live more safely and comfortably.
3. Assist With Goal Planning
Support coordinators will also ensure that you understand how you can use your NDIS support plan to meet specific life goals. For example, some coordinators have specialist knowledge, meaning they may be able to assist you in areas such as moving home and into an environment that better suits your needs.
For those wanting employment-related assistance, support coordinators can access assessments and training schemes that help you find and keep a job, including the school leaver employment supports.
Once you've planned and accessed the right services, support coordinators will then regularly evaluate whether your plan is allowing you to achieve your goals. If not, they can help you to adjust your supports and how they are delivered to cater to your wants and needs.
4. Prepare You for Unexpected Events
Along with supporting you on an everyday basis, a support coordinator will also ensure that you are prepared for crisis situations.
As part of your plan, they will help you put contingencies in place for situations such as suddenly needing to move house or go to hospital. This may require plan reassessment, which they can help you submit a request for.
If required, they will also connect you with the appropriate crisis services outside of your NDIS supports, including the education, justice, and child protection systems.
5. Help You Live Independently
NDIS support coordination can also help you build the skills you need to live independently, and improve your overall quality of life.
A good support coordinator will help you gain the confidence to work through challenging situations yourself, rather than completely arranging everything for you.
For example, a support coordinator's role may involve helping you access NDIS funding for supported independent living. This is a budget that provides help with daily tasks such as cooking and cleaning to help you live more independently, while building skills such as money management.
They can also connect you with a mentor, who will provide you with the tools to make informed positive, informed choices in areas such as finding employment and setting goals.
6. Offer Tailored Support
What's great about having a support coordinator is they are dedicated to you. They will listen to your individual needs with care and compassion, and find services that can assist you in reaching your desired outcomes.
Some support coordinators have a special understanding of specific disabilities, which makes your experience even more personal. For example, they may have a disability themselves, or have specialist experience working alongside others with the same disability as you.
By providing the support you need to make informed choices, and giving you control over your own care, specialist support coordination can help you feel empowered and in control.
Looking for Tailored Support?
Here at Gracious Australia, we regularly work alongside support coordinators to help our clients lead the happiest, healthiest lives possible.
As an NDIS approved provider of disability support services, we can help you or your loved one with everything from completing chores to connecting with your local community.
To find out more about how we can offer the personalised care and support that you need, contact our friendly team today.
