Support coordination helps you make the most of your NDIS plan by connecting you with the right services and supports. Access Support Coordination is here to guide you in understanding your plan, linking you with providers and community services, and building your confidence to manage everything independently.
There are Three Levels of Support Coordination
Level 1 Support Connection – Support to help a participant navigate their NDIS plan, connect with providers and access community and mainstream supports to get the most out of their NDIS plan. This support also focuses on boosting participants’ confidence and skills to manage their plans independently.
Level 2 Coordination of Supports – Support to put in place a tailored mix of services that helps participants maintain relationships, manage daily tasks, live more independently, and participate in their community. This support also strengthens their confidence and skills, empowering them to direct their own lives, not just their services.
Level 3 Specialist Support Coordination – Enhanced support for participants with complex needs requiring specialist assistance. A specialist support coordinator can help participants navigate challenges in their support environment, ensuring consistent and reliable service delivery.
Whether you’re seeking the right supports or focusing on a specific goal, Access Support Coordination is ready to help you every step of the way.
A Support Coordinator is there to support you to...
1: Helping You Understand Your NDIS Plan
Your support coordinator will work with you to ensure you understand your NDIS plan, including:
- Your support budgets, how the funding is broken down, and the types of supports and services you can use it for.
- How your funding is managed—whether it's Agency, Plan-managed, or Self-managed—and the processes you need to follow for each.
- Any additional requirements, such as when quotes are needed, what can or cannot be claimed, how much can be claimed, and when service bookings are required.
2: Plan and Coordinate Your Supports
- Your support coordinator will help you find providers, services, and supports that work together to help you pursue your goals.
- They will assist you in choosing a mix of services and supports based on your circumstances and preferences.
- You and your support coordinator will discuss community, government, and funded supports available in addition to your NDIS funding to help you achieve your goals.
- Together, you'll decide how you'd like your supports and services to be delivered and find the right providers.
- They will arrange a schedule of services that fits within your NDIS plan budget and aligns with your goals and needs.
- You’ll be able to try different providers and supports, working with multiple providers as needed.
- Your support coordinator will help you explore and connect with community and government services.
- They can also connect you with providers and services that will help you pursue your goals, including advocacy services if required.
- They will guide you on when to choose NDIS-registered providers (for agency-managed plans) and unregistered providers (for self-managed or plan-managed plans).
- They will ensure that providers comply with quality and safeguards, such as verifying that they haven’t been banned by the NDIS Commission.
- If you need quotes or assessments, such as for home or car modifications, your support coordinator will assist you with the required processes.
- They can also help you explore how your family, friends, and community can assist you in pursuing your goals.
3: Establish and Maintain Your Supports
- Assist in setting up service agreements with providers that reflect the supports you need and how you want them delivered.
- Help you understand what providers can and cannot charge, including travel and cancellation policies.
- Identify any problems that may prevent you from using your plan and how these can be addressed.
To maintain your supports, your support coordinator can help you:
- Review how your current supports are working for you.
- Create a plan for handling issues, such as a provider cancellation or dissatisfaction with a service.
- Find new providers or change existing ones to ensure you continue receiving the supports you need.
- Make a complaint to the NDIS Commission if you're not satisfied with the quality or safety of NDIS supports and services.
- Manage and monitor your NDIS budget to ensure you have the necessary supports and services until the end of your plan.
4: Coach, Refine, and Reflect
Your support coordinator can help you build confidence and skills to manage your plan independently by showing you how to:
- Use NDIS systems and processes.
- Set up your supports and negotiate with providers.
- Maximise the benefits of your NDIS plan.
You can work with your support coordinator to review and adjust your plan by:
- Evaluating how well your current supports are working and making necessary changes.
- Tracking your progress in using your plan and pursuing your goals.
- Considering if your supports still meet your needs and exploring new options.
When preparing for your plan reassessment, your support coordinator can help you reflect on:
- What worked well, including achieved outcomes.
- What you’d like to try, change, or improve in your next plan, and the evidence required for the reassessment.
5: Report to the NDIA
Your support coordinator will provide the NDIA with reports on how they've helped you use your plan and pursue your goals. These reports include:
- An initial plan implementation report outlining your progress after starting your new plan.
- A mid-term implementation report assessing how you’re using your plan and outlining future actions.
- A plan reassessment report reflecting on the plan's implementation and recommendations for your next plan.
Your support coordinator will assist you to:
- Submit reviews if your funded supports and services aren’t meeting your needs.
- Request an increase in funding if your circumstances change and impact your day-to-day needs.
6: Capacity Building for Independence
You can work with your support coordinator to build confidence and skills so you can choose and control your supports. Your support coordinator should work with you, your family, and carers to:
- Explore ways to exercise choice and control.
- Help you communicate how you want your supports delivered.
- Find providers who can meet your needs.
- Create opportunities to increase your independence.
- Prepare for unexpected events.
Your support coordinator should provide information in your preferred language and communication method to help you make decisions about your supports. They should support you to make your own decisions and respect your right to take risks.
7: Crisis Situations – Plan, Prevent, Mitigate, and Act
Your support coordinator can help you prepare for unexpected events by connecting you to crisis services when needed. They will also assist you in creating a plan for these situations and act if a crisis occurs. Depending on your circumstances, they may help you submit a plan reassessment request.
Work with your support coordinator to:
- Understand how changes, such as family support or moving house, could affect your plan.
- Identify potential obstacles to using your plan and prepare for them.
- Put supports in place to manage these challenges.
8: Acting in Your Best Interest
Your support coordinator must always act in your best interest. They must:
- Recommend and provide supports that best suit your needs.
- Declare and avoid any conflicts of interest.
- Avoid engaging in or promoting unethical practices.
All NDIS providers, including support coordinators, must comply with the NDIS Code of Conduct. If you have concerns about the quality or safety of your services or feel your support coordinator isn’t acting in your best interest, you should raise them with the NDIS Commission.
9: Advocacy
If you need independent advocacy support, your support coordinator can link you with an advocate. They cannot act as a formal advocate but can help you understand when an independent advocate is needed.
You can access advocacy services through the National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP), which provides support to promote and protect the rights of people with disabilities, especially those facing complex challenges.
For advocacy support, you can contact the Disability Gateway at 1800 643 787, Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm.
You can also find resources for National Disability Advocacy Program to see how a disability advocate can help.