Get the Most from Changes to NDIS Support Coordination
The NDIA has decided to indefinitely extend the use of core funding to access Support Coordination, making it easier to get the most from your NDIS plan*.
Originally prompted by the onset of COVID-19, this latest move means that participants who were not originally funded for the service, or who have spent their dedicated support coordination budget, can still access help to get the most out of funded supports.
Alana Bretherton, Support Coordination Team Leader with Synapse, described it as an “positive development”.
More flexibility with Support Coordination
“During COVID, access to support coordination was made more flexible – this was due to expire 30 September but was extended indefinitely at the beginning of October.”
At that time, it enabled those whose plans and supports had been thrown into chaos by a pandemic to access the help they needed to adapt.
“This is a move we really welcome, as increased access to support coordination gives greater flexibility and consistency of service experience for participants,” Alana said.
“We see how much Participants value having a trusted support coordinator consistently available to them and, where there are more complex needs or a major event occurs, how important it is to have access to the support you need to implement change. For example, the Synapse team has recently helped some participants transition back home from aged care facilities.”
Optimise your NDIS plan
Support Coordination can assist Participants to ‘optimise’ their NDIS plan, by using funding creatively but within the scope of the scheme. The service can support you to understand and implement the funded supports in your plan and link you to community, mainstream and other government services.
At a practical level, that means assisting you to negotiate with providers about what they will offer you and how much it will cost out of your plan and ensuring service agreements and service bookings are completed. Support coordination can help build your ability to exercise choice and control, to coordinate supports and access your local community. Support Coordinators can also assist you in planning ahead to prepare for your plan review.
Speak with us find out more about Support Coordination, and how it could help you move closer to your goals.
Assistive Technology
A further positive development is the decision to allow participants to use plan funding to purchase low-cost Assistive Technology, including smart devices for health care appointments. Although this has only been extended until Feb 2021:
- Participants need to have a provider of relevant supports specifically recommend a device
- Devices are for facilitating plan’s stated goals, not for general use
- Devices should be used for the continuation of therapy and health care services e.g. telehealth appointments.
Learn More about Assistive Technology and the NDIS
Got more questions about the NDIS? Get in touch with us today.
*UPDATE 2023: Please note these conditions are no longer available.