Support Coordination within the NDIS
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is an Australian government program designed to support people with disabilities in achieving their goals and improving their quality of life. One of the key components of the NDIS is Support Coordination, a service that helps people with disabilities access the supports and services they need to achieve their goals.
What Is Support Coordination?
Support Coordination is a service provided by the NDIS to help people with disabilities navigate the complex system of disability supports and services. Support Coordinators work with individuals to develop a plan that identifies their goals and needs, and then assist them to access the appropriate supports and services to achieve those goals.
Support Coordination can be provided to people with disabilities who have complex needs, or who require assistance to coordinate a range of supports and services. Support Coordinators can help individuals to access services such as housing, employment, education, health care, and community support.
The Levels of Support Coordination
The NDIS provides three levels of support coordination, and the level a participant receives depends on what is funded in their plan.
Support Connection (Level 1)
This is short-term support that helps a participant build the skills and confidence to connect with support independently.
Coordination of Supports (Level 2)
This is the standard, ongoing level of support coordination. A coordinator helps the participant organise and manage a mix of supports so the plan works as a whole. Unify provides this through its coordination of supports service.
Specialist Support Coordination (Level 3)
According to the NDIS, this is a higher level of support for participants in more complex situations, helping keep services consistent through challenges. Unify offers this through its specialist support coordination service.
The Role of Support Coordinators
Support Coordinators play a vital role in the NDIS by helping people with disabilities to access the support and services they need to achieve their goals. Some of the key roles and responsibilities of Support Coordinators include:
Developing a plan
Support Coordinators work with individuals to develop a plan that identifies their goals and needs, and outlines the supports and services required to achieve those goals.
Finding and coordinating supports
Support Coordinators help individuals to access the appropriate supports and services to achieve their goals. This may involve finding and coordinating a range of supports, including health care, education, employment, and community support.
Advocacy
Support Coordinators advocate for individuals with disabilities, ensuring their needs are heard and that they can access the supports and services they require.
Monitoring and review
Support Coordinators monitor the progress of the individual’s plan, ensuring it remains relevant and effective, and making any necessary adjustments.
The Benefits of Support Coordination
There are many benefits to accessing Support Coordination within the NDIS, including:
Increased independence
Support Coordination can help individuals with disabilities to access the supports and services they need to increase their independence and participate more fully in their communities.
Improved quality of life
Support Coordination can help individuals to achieve their goals and improve their quality of life by accessing the supports and services they need.
Reduced stress
Support Coordination can reduce the stress and complexity of navigating the disability support system by providing individuals with a dedicated support person.
Cost-effective
Support Coordination can be a cost-effective way to access the supports and services required to achieve an individual’s goals by ensuring they receive the most appropriate services for their needs.
How to Get Support Coordination in Your Plan
Support coordination is a capacity-building support and is usually included for a set amount of time. It needs to be funded in a plan before it can be used. If it is already included, the participant is free to choose their own provider. If it is not, the NDIS suggests asking the NDIA planner to include it at a planning meeting or plan review, explaining how it would help the participant work towards their goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is support coordination?
Support coordination is an NDIS-funded service that helps a participant understand their plan and connect with the right supports. A support coordinator helps them find, organise and review their services.
Is support coordination the same as plan management?
No. Plan management deals with the financial side, such as paying providers and tracking a budget. Support coordination helps the participant find and organise the actual supports. Some participants have both.
How do I get support coordination in my plan?
Raise it with your NDIA planner or Local Area Coordinator at a planning meeting or plan review, and explain how it would help you meet your goals.
Conclusion
Understanding what support coordination is makes it easier to see how it can help a participant get the most from their NDIS plan. From explaining the plan and organising services to advocacy and review, a support coordinator provides practical, ongoing help. As an experienced NDIS provider in Australia, Unify has support coordinators ready to guide you. You may also find our guide on what disability support services are useful. To find out if support coordination is right for you, visit our support coordination page, or start your referral and we will match you with a coordinator. To take the next step, simply complete our Support Coordination Referral Form and let us help you achieve your goals.
