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Understanding the NDIS can sometimes make me feel confused. Budgets, providers, and rules can be difficult to comply with. There are lots of individuals who require assistance in converting their plan into some real assistance which would enhance their daily life.
And that is where Support Coordination comes. A support coordinator will let you know your plan, locate the right services and ensure that your support works towards you.
We hold that good support coordination can make a difference at Care Compatible, which enables you to achieve your goals and more independently live.
What Is Support Coordination?
Support coordination is a service funded by the NDIS to help you use your plan effectively.
Your support coordinator can:
- Explain your NDIS plan in simple terms
- Help you find and connect with suitable service providers
- Make sure your supports are working well together
- Build your confidence to manage your plan yourself
Think of them as your personal NDIS guide, someone who helps you make the most of your funding and supports your independence.
The Different Levels of Support Coordination
There are three main levels of support coordination under the NDIS:
1. Support Connection
This level helps you understand your plan and start using your supports.
2. Coordination of Supports
This tier can assist you in organising your support, collaborating with several providers, and ensuring that your services align with your objectives.
3. Specialist Support Coordination
It is for individuals with more complex needs and who need additional assistance to facilitate their supports.
What a Good Support Coordinator Does
A good support coordinator should make your NDIS journey easier and less stressful. Here’s what they do:
1. Explain Your Plan
They assist the understanding of what every aspect of your plan is, what you can use your money on, and what your budget is like.
2. Connect You with the Right Supports
They locate reliable service providers to your needs such as support workers, therapists, or community services and assist you in establishing service agreements.
3. Check That Your Supports Are Working
They ensure that your support is assisting you to reach your objectives. In case of one not working, they can assist you in making changes.
4. Build Your Confidence
A great coordinator can assist you in figuring out how to make choices, approach providers, and handle your plan in such a way that you will be more independent in the long run.
5. Prepare for Your Next Plan
They will assist you in reviewing what has worked, gathering reports, and preparing your next plan meeting.
Why Support Coordination Matters
Having support coordination can make your NDIS plan easier to use and more effective. Here’s how it helps you:
- Sends less time and stress: Your coordinator makes calls, reservations, and paperwork.
- Makes it easier to support: They make your services fit your objectives and budget.
- Allows you to choice and control: You will be able to make informed choices about your support.
- Develop confidence: With time, you get to know how to go about the plan all by yourself.
Who Can Get Support Coordination?
Not everyone automatically gets support coordination in their NDIS plan. It’s usually included if you:
- Are new to the NDIS
- Have complex needs or multiple supports
- Don’t have strong informal supports (like family or friends)
- Are going through major life changes
If your plan doesn’t include it, but you think you need it, talk to your planner or Local Area Coordinator (LAC) and explain why.
How to Choose a Good Support Coordinator
When looking for a support coordinator, choose someone who:
- Listens and communicates clearly
- Understands your goals and needs
- Has good local knowledge
- Is independent and unbiased
- Helps you build skills and confidence
At Care Compatible, our coordinators focus on your goals and empower you to make your own choices.
A Real-Life Example
Meet Emma. She recently got her first NDIS plan but didn’t know how to start using it. She reached out to Care Compatible for support or coordination to help her understand her plan and organise her services.
Her support coordinator told her the plan in simple terms and assisted Emma to get a good therapist and a friendly support worker. They also assisted her in establishing service accords and paid periodic visits to ensure that things were progressing well.
After a few months, Emma felt more confident. She understood her plan better, was using her funding wisely, and had more control over her daily life. She said support coordination made everything easier and helped her reach her goals faster.
Conclusion
Support coordination assists you to manage your NDIS plan and to achieve the most out of your funds. It saves time, minimizes stress and you have self-confidence to handle your supports.
We are proud to provide friendly and reliable support coordination services in Melbourne at Care Compatible. We will be committed to making sure that you know about your plan, locate the appropriate support, and achieve your goals without any doubts.
Contact Care Compatible today to learn more about how our team can help you make the most of your NDIS plan.