Support Coordinators- What To Know

Support coordinators are vital in assisting participants with their NDIS plans and implementing these supports. This is inclusive of the mainstream, informal, community connections and funded supports. Depending on the level of support, a worker’s hours vary depending on the situation. As a general rule of thumb, most participants receive up to 2 hours of support per week (50-100 hours annually). However, this is not set and participants can also receive more hours. Keep in mind that funding is set on what is ‘necessary and reasonable’ and is not given out for no good reason. So, while anyone can apply for a support coordinator, you must be eligible to actually access this type of support. The amount provided for support coordination is fixed, which they can assist in planning around.

To Be Included In the Plan:

Just a few things to keep in mind

• Ensure to look at your NDIS plan, as it should state the level of funded support coordination. If it states a specific plan, then you are only eligible for this level of support coordination
• However, if the plan does not specify a level of support coordination funded, then you are able to choose and purchase whichever support satisfies your needs.

Support coordinators are here to help you and will do so in the best way they can.

Who is Most Likely to be Eligible for Support Coordination?

About 4/10 NDIS participants have support coordination included within their plan. This is a rough figure for a general idea, however, the actual number does vary from state to territory. It also depends on the age of the participant, whereby young children tend to receive less.

More likely participants to receive this support are:

• Young people in nursing care
• Those of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage
• Individuals with psychosocial disabilities/ episodic mental or ill-health support requirements
• Participants with conditions of a degenerative nature, and supports that require regular active management and ongoing adjustment due to participant needs constantly changing

In a Nutshell, What Do They Do?

Support workers overall, are capacity-building support people who assist you in:

• Becoming knowledgeable on how to use the NDIS plan to pursue goals and passions
• Increasing your confidence and the skills required to coordinate individual supports
• Create links between you and the NDIS providers: community, mainstream, and other various services
• Provide reasonable and reliable solutions for any points of crisis or problems which may arise unexpectedly. They also act as a system of support that can provide moral and mental support
• using the NDIS myplace portal
• Assist in creating a budget for each type of support and letting plan managers know how the money should be split up

Community Connection and Knowledge

Support workers play a key role in connecting participants to knowledge and also the wider community. This includes providing referrals and opening up support systems for the participant. This way, this allows participants to develop knowledge about the world around them and to connect with individuals in similar situations. Furthermore, this ensures that you receive the most out of your plan and live your life to the fullest potential.

Support Coordination

This specific plan increases your ability to develop the skills you need to fully understand and use your plan effectively. Your support coordinator also has the role of ensuring that a mix of supports is utilized. These will be beneficial in the area of maintaining interpersonal relationships. Additionally, living independently and responsibly, being accountable for service delivery tasks, and being included in the community.

Specialised Support Coordination

This support coordination is of a higher level and is aimed at those who require higher levels of support. Specifically, it is for individuals who have a more complex disability and require special support and care. Specialist support coordinators assist you in managing challenges that may come your way and ensure that service is consistent and reliable.

As an overall motivation for support coordinators, they can also help you focus your attention on a specific goal in your NDIS plan. This can be inclusive of finding a suitable home, or appropriate living supports. These individuals have the skills that they can tailor to you to meet your needs.

What to Expect from Support Coordinators?

There are a few things you should keep in mind when choosing your support coordinators. They should:

• Be registered providers
• Contact you as soon as possible after a handover with the planner. It is ideal to be within 2-5 days and they should also arrange a meet-up with you
• Be wary and understand in depth the NDIS legislation and rules, as well as the NDIS price guide and the budget flexibility
• Cooperate with you to work towards goals, and create reports on these goals to provide with the NDIA

What Should I Do Now?

After reading this and deciding that a local support coordinator may be what you want, the first thing is to see if you are eligible. From here, you can contact your Plan manager, for them to put you in touch with an eligible coordinator so that you can get closer to achieving your goals!