The NDIS is Australia’s first national Scheme for people with disability. It provides funding directly to individuals. 

There are around 4.3 million Australians who have a disability. Within the next five years the NDIS will provide an estimated 500,000 Australians who have permanent and significant disability with funding for supports and services. For many people, it will be the first time they receive the disability support they need.

So how do you know if you are eligable for the NDIS? And once you have it, how do you use it?

Once you have completed the application process and have been submitted your documents to the NDIS and have been excepted you will be allocated a Local Area Coordinator (LAC). This person is direct linked to the NDIS and will assist you with the next step of the NDIS Process.-Creating your plan.

To find out more about the NDIS click here

Most people that recieve there first NDIS Plan will feel extremely overwhelmed. This is completely normal. The NDIS can be complex and difficult to navigate, that is why you will be allocated a Local Area Coordinator (LAC).

The role of the LAC is to be your community connector. Where your funding includes Support Coordination is where you will find someone like me.

Sometimes NDIS Plans can be a little more complicated. Support Coordinators will read your goals, look at your budgets explain the different categories and should connect you with the best value for money.

Sometimes people may require a little more assitance or they may have addittional therapies incorporated into the funding as the disability may be a little more complex.

Agood support coordinator will work with you or/and your family to make sure your needs are being met.

 Engaging services is all about connection. Finding the right "FIT" for you or your family is paramount.

You want people that are proactive working with you so that your needs are being met whilst dignity, choice and control are being upheld.

The main concept of service providers is to work towards your goals with you. The NDIS is all about goals and building capacity. We want you to shine and enjoy what makes you happy.

Your support coordinator should build solid, transparent relationships with you and all services engaged to maintain continuity. I like to call this awrap around approach. 

Support coordinators work out service agreements, identify needs and build trust with you and your providers so that stress is minimized and that you are also recieving the best value for money,the most appropriate level of care. We should always be promoting independance to the highest quality.

A good support coordinator will find you what you need.

This is completely your right to choice. Sometimes someone may be unhappy with the service being provided. Individuals that are on the NDIS have the right to cease services if they are not satisfied with what they are recieving.

Whether this be support coordination, support providers, allied health or any other enghagement.

Service providers should maintain ethical standards and respect the choice that you have made.

At times it may be difficult for someone to end  a service, they may have built a rappor with the provider or feel the service has become complacent or maybe you feel guilt at changing providers?

Your support coordinator has a duty of care in provisions of services and should act on your preferences and the choice that you are making.

Support coordinators are responsible for engagement of services and if you are not happy you should be able to express this to your support coordinator.

All support services should have a complaint process in place and you should have access to this within your service agreement.

If at any time you feel you need to make a more formal complaint you can lodge this with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. You can find more information here about the complaint process.