What will an NDIS support coordinator do for me?

What is Support Coordination in the NDIS? Understanding this crucial service

The official NDIS definition – “a capacity building support to implement all supports in a participant’s plan, including informal, mainstream, community and funded supports” – can be difficult to translate into a day-to-day understanding of what exactly Support Coordination does for an NDIS participant. Let’s break it down into more practical terms.

Support Coordinators are people who have been trained in the NDIS, so they can help you understand what services and funds are available to you. Although everyone is entitled to ask for Support Coordination to be included in their NDIS plan, not everyone receives it. The allocation depends on individual circumstances and needs.

What does a Support Coordinator do? A closer look at their responsibilities

The role of a Support Coordinator is challenging, as they are limited by the number of hours they can spend with a Participant based on that Participant’s funding. This time constraint can impact the depth of support provided.

I’m sure that all Support Coordinators will agree that they never have enough funding for the time they want to spend with a Participant. They make the best of what is available and will prioritise your most needed support. This requires careful planning and efficient use of resources.

Here is an overview of what a Support Coordinator CAN do for you:

Support you to understand and implement the funded supports in your plan
Help you to ‘optimise’ your plan ensuring that you are getting the most out of your funded supports
Help build your ability to exercise choice and control, coordinate supports and access your local community
Help link you to community, mainstream and other government services
Focus on supporting you to build your skills and independence (the fancy word to describe this is ‘capacity building’)
Find and connect you with NDIS providers
Assist you in negotiating with providers about what they will offer you and how much it will cost out of your plan
Ensure service agreements and service bookings are completed
Assist you in planning ahead to prepare for your plan review

Each of these responsibilities contributes to empowering you as an NDIS participant.

How can I get Support Coordination in my NDIS Plan? Understanding the eligibility criteria

Support Coordination is not available to all NDIS participants. The NDIS only funds Support Coordination in cases where participants…

Are likely to develop the skills and confidence needed to be able to navigate the NDIS independently. This is called capacity building and it’s an important part of the NDIS and Support Coordination – but more on that later.
Don’t have an informal support network that could otherwise provide a similar style of support. So, if you don’t have family, friends or other contacts with the time and knowledge to help you find and connect with service providers, the NDIS might fund a Support Coordinator to provide that support.
Are likely to gain a tangible benefit from having the assistance of a Support Coordinator.
Are new to the NDIS and receiving their first plan or going through a significant life change? We’ll take a closer look at the role timing plays in Support Coordination eligibility shortly.

The NDIS assesses each participant on a case-by-case basis to see whether they are eligible or not. If you request funding for Support Coordination in your planning meeting, the NDIS looks at your individual situation to decide whether you meet the criteria. This assessment ensures that resources are allocated where they’re most needed and can have the greatest impact.