
NDIS support coordination is a capacity-building support whose primary objective is to assist participants in accessing support services.
The support coordination process helps a person with a disability to :
- Understand their NDIS plan and use it to maximize their funding
- Build confidence, skill and knowledge to navigate the NDIS scheme.
- Connect them to other support sources such as the local community, social environment and government assistance.
- It ensures that people with disabilities receive essential support and services under the NDIS. It is the bridge between the individual with a disability and the various support organisations or service providers willing to assist them.
Each support coordinator serves a different purpose and ensures that various levels of assistance are given as needed. The three different types of support coordination depend on the level of support required:
Level 1 - Support Connection:
Support Connection is the entry-level support coordination service that helps the participant develop the skills required to connect with the services they need to reach their goal. It is designed to connect them with the resources and services they need to live independently.
It also helps the participant to understand and implement their NDIS scheme. Support connection is designed to make people with disabilities understand their privileges and responsibilities and the service system as a whole.
Level 2 - Support Coordination
The second level of Support Coordination provides additional assistance to people with disabilities in a broader range and is a more comprehensive service. This assistance is used to coordinate services to live independently. Support Coordinators at the second level work with individuals with disabilities to develop the needed plan, connect them with appropriate services when required, and provide existing and ongoing support.
This support benefits the people who need considerable assistance navigating the NDIS system online or offline. The support coordinator administers the budget and supervises the needs and services to ensure prompt and effective delivery without overspending the funds.
The Support Coordinators can help find the most appropriate services and providers to meet the individual’s requirements, manage the budget, and ensure prompt and effective service delivery. Through ongoing support, they ensure that the individual’s requirements are met and their goals are attained.
Level 3 - Specialist Support Coordination
Level 3 support is Specialist Support Coordination, which is known as the highest level of Support Coordination. Individuals with special requirements can access this assistance.
Specialist support coordinators have special training in housing essentials, mental health, and complex needs. They work with individuals with unique needs regarding housing essentials and complex support needs and also support their mental health. They connect the participants with the required support and resources to navigate the NDIS plan easily.
Specialist Support Coordinators provide many services, which include:
- Assess the individual’s needs, goals, and aspirations
- Develop a support plan tailored according to the individual’s need
- Coordinates and supervises the provision of services and supports by connecting them with the assistance and resources
- Monitor the progress and the support plan
- Advocate on behalf of the individual to ensure their needs are fulfilled