A good Support Coordinator will know your NDIS Plan inside and out. They should also get to know you and your goals very well.
They will be familiar with NDIS, community and mainstream services in your area. They will help you try new and existing supports to find those that work for you.
Eligibility
Whether or not you’re NDIS registered is up to you, but it may add value as it will help participants trust you. It also ensures you are aware of and adhere to the NDIS Code of Conduct.
If you aren’t NDIS registered, you can still be a great support coordinator ndis. However, you might have more paperwork to do and may have to work harder to build rapport with participants.
A good support coordinator will understand all aspects of the NDIS, including the different supports available and their price guides. They’ll be able to assist with service bookings, and provide guidance on developing goals for their participant. They’ll also be able to assist with plan reviews, reassessment and develop new plans for their participants as required.
It’s also important for a support coordinator to have empathy for the participants they are working with. They should be able to understand their challenges, what makes them happy and what their needs are.
What is a support coordinator?
A support coordinator is a specialist who helps you use the funded supports in your NDIS plan and link to community, mainstream and government services. They will also help you build skills to direct your life and support you in making decisions about what you want to achieve.
A good Support Coordinator will take some time at the beginning of your plan to honestly discuss what you can realistically achieve given your funding allocation. This enables them to set clear expectations and explore the roles that are most important to you.
As well as their core role of building capacity for participants, many support coordinators have a range of other responsibilities, including helping with service agreements, reviewing and negotiating fees, assisting with review of plans and supporting participants to prepare for their NDIS plan review. The best support coordinators will put the participant in the driver’s seat, allowing them to make decisions and express their agency.
What is the role of a support coordinator?
The role of a support coordinator can be hard to define as the official NDIS definition - "a capacity building support to implement all supports in a participant’s plan, including informal, mainstream and community, as well as funded supports".
Support Coordinators are expected to help participants connect with their network and build their ability to manage their own support needs. They should also help them understand how their funding can be used to best achieve their goals.
The most important skills for a support coordinator are communication, problemsolving and decision-making. They need to be able to build rapport with participants and their families, and communicate effectively so that everyone is on the same page. They also need to be able to make decisions that are aligned with a participant’s values and goals. Finally, they need to be able to identify gaps and inefficiencies in service systems. This may include raising these issues with the NDIS or other service providers, and encouraging them to develop better responses.
How do I get a support coordinator?
A support coordinator can help you understand your plan, connect with services and providers, and be an active member of your community. However, finding a good one is not always easy. They need to be able to meet your individual needs, provide great service and maintain good communication with you. They also need to manage multiple clients and funds, be efficient with their time and invoicing, and comply with National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) guidelines.
If you’re looking for a good NDIS support coordinator, start by researching providers. Find out whether they’re registered and what services they provide. You can also use the NDIS price guide to compare prices and services.
Look for independent businesses that specialise in providing support coordination services. This way, they’re focused on you and your goals. They’ll also be more honest with you about what services work best for your situation. Ensure they have no conflicts of interest when recommending support workers or services to you.
Sovereign Lives Victoria is an NDIS provider serving Altona region.
We offer NDIS care and support services to people eligible for NDIS funding in Altona.
