Navigating the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can feel overwhelming. From understanding your plan to connecting with the right services, the process isn’t always straightforward. That’s where an NDIS Support Coordinator steps in. A Support Coordinator works with you to understand your NDIS plan, connect with relevant services, and build your capacity to manage your supports and achieve your goals independently.

In this article, we’ll explore what a Support Coordinator does, outline the three levels of support coordination, and explain how Support Coordinators can help you make the most of your NDIS plan.

Table of Contents

• What is Support Coordination?
• What are the Three Levels of Support Coordination?
• What are the Duties of a Support Coordinator?
• What Does an NDIS Support Coordinator Do?
• What Makes a Good NDIS Support Coordinator?
• About Ability Assist Support Coordination Services

What is Support Coordination?

Support Coordination is a capacity-building service within the NDIS designed to help participants access and manage their supports effectively. A Support Coordinator’s role includes:

• Helping you understand your NDIS plan and how it can support your goals.
• Connecting you with NDIS service providers, community resources, and government services.
• Empowering you to build skills and confidence in managing your supports independently.

From understanding your support budget to mapping out the right services, a Support Coordinator enables you to make informed choices and navigate any challenges that arise. They also provide guidance during major life changes, such as moving homes or unexpected hospital stays, ensuring consistent and effective support.

The Three Levels of NDIS Support Coordination

Depending on individual needs, NDIS participants may be eligible for one of three levels of support coordination:

• Support Connection: Helps you develop the skills needed to connect with community, informal, and funded supports to make the most of your NDIS plan.
• Support Coordination: Assists you in understanding and using your NDIS plan to achieve greater independence, participate in the community, and build and maintain relationships.
• Specialist Support Coordination: For participants with complex needs, a Specialist Support Coordinator provides high-level support to manage and navigate services, ensuring consistent delivery across all your supports.

Duties of an NDIS Support Coordinator

A Support Coordinator’s primary responsibility is to empower you with the tools and resources to reach your goals. This includes:

• Plan Management: Helping you understand your support plan, budget, and eligible services.
• Service Connection: Introducing you to services within the community that align with your needs and helping set up service agreements.
• Problem Resolution: Addressing any challenges with providers, acting as a mediator if necessary, and making adjustments as needed.
• Building Capacity: Supporting you in learning the skills to manage your own plan and preparing you for reassessments to adjust supports as your needs evolve.

Specialist Support Coordinators additionally assist in complex cases by developing tailored plans, ensuring all providers are coordinated, and helping to address any barriers that might limit access to necessary supports.

What Does an NDIS Support Coordinator Do?

A Support Coordinator helps you succeed in using your NDIS plan by focusing on areas like:

• Connection: Using their knowledge of NDIS services, they connect you with providers that suit your needs, enhancing the quality of your supports.
• Understanding Your Plan: They’ll explain your NDIS plan in simple terms and make tailored recommendations to suit your individual needs.
• Providing Choice: Support Coordinators empower you to choose from a range of support options, helping you make decisions that best meet your unique goals and preferences.
• Crisis Resolution: If issues arise with a provider, your Support Coordinator can help resolve them or assist in finding alternative solutions.
• Reflection and Refinement: Support Coordinators routinely review your plan’s effectiveness and suggest adjustments to enhance outcomes where possible.

In every interaction, a Support Coordinator’s role is to encourage your active participation in managing your supports, giving you control over your choices while guiding you through any complexities. More information can be found on NDIS website here.

What Makes a Good NDIS Support Coordinator?

The best NDIS Support Coordinators share key qualities that make them effective in their roles, including:

• Strong Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Effective Support Coordinators listen actively, communicate clearly, and work collaboratively with you, your family, and providers.
• Deep Knowledge of the Disability Sector: They understand the landscape of available services, funding options, and policies, helping you make the best use of your plan.
• Cultural Sensitivity and Inclusivity: Good Support Coordinators respect diverse backgrounds and identities, ensuring your support plan is inclusive and tailored to your personal circumstances.
• Problem-Solving Abilities: They are skilled in identifying challenges, finding solutions, and supporting you through any obstacles to ensure you receive the right care.
• Commitment to Empowerment: A great Support Coordinator is dedicated to fostering your independence and supporting you in building confidence and control over your supports.

Support Coordination at Ability Assist

At Ability Assist, we work with experienced Support Coordinators across Melbourne to ensure our clients receive the highest quality support. With over 30 years in the community, we’re committed to partnering with NDIS Support Coordinators who understand the value of compassionate, reliable, and goal-oriented support. Contact us to learn more about how Support Coordination can help you achieve your NDIS goals.