What is support coordination?

Support coordination is a service that assists you in optimizing your plan’s supports. It falls under the category of capacity building support and serves several essential functions, including:

1. Understanding and Utilizing Your NDIS Plan: It helps you comprehend and effectively use your NDIS plan to pursue your objectives.
2. Connecting You with NDIS Providers and Community Services: Support coordination links you with NDIS providers, community resources, mainstream services, and other government support options.
3. Enhancing Your Confidence and Skills in Support Management: It empowers you to build the confidence and skills required to efficiently use and coordinate your supports.

These support coordination services can be provided by a support coordinator or a specialist support coordinator. Depending on your needs, your NDIS plan may include one of three levels of support coordination:

1. Support Connection: This level focuses on building your ability to connect with informal, community, and funded supports, enabling you to make the most of your plan and work towards your goals.
2. Support Coordination – Coordination of Supports: This support level helps you develop the skills necessary to understand and use your plan effectively. A support coordinator will work with you to ensure a mix of supports that increase your ability to maintain relationships, manage service delivery tasks, live more independently, and participate in your community.
3. Specialist Support Coordination: This level is for individuals with more complex situations who require specialized support. A specialist Support Coordinator helps you manage challenges in your support environment and ensures the consistent delivery of services.

You can also choose to focus your support coordination funding on specific goals within your NDIS plan, such as finding suitable home and living supports. The inclusion of support coordination in your plan is based on what is considered “reasonable and necessary” to pursue your goals, in addition to any support from family, friends, and other community and government services. If your plan specifies the level of support coordination funded, you must adhere to that level. However, if it doesn’t, you can select the level that aligns best with your needs.

If you are an NDIS participant, a support coordinator can play a vital role in helping you access a range of necessary supports and services. To identify an excellent support coordinator, look for the following qualities:

1. Empathy and Understanding: Listen attentively, respect your unique needs, and collaborate to create personalized strategies for your goals.
2. Knowledge, Experience, and Expertise: Possess in-depth knowledge of the NDIS, its processes, and available supports, staying up-to-date with policy changes and service offerings.
3. Strong Communication Skills: Explain complex concepts clearly, actively listen, and facilitate effective communication with service providers.
4. Organization and Time Management: Excel at prioritizing tasks, managing schedules, and ensuring timely support.
5. Problem-Solving and Resourcefulness: Creative problem solvers, identifying alternative solutions and navigating complex situations.
6. Advocacy for Your Best Interests: Represent your interests, negotiate on your behalf, and address concerns or conflicts.
7. Collaboration and Networking: Establish and maintain relationships with service providers, community organizations, and relevant stakeholders.
8. Continuous Learning and Professional Development: Actively seek opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge through training and industry conferences.

When selecting a support coordinator, ensure they are the right fit for you, capable of answering your questions, making you feel at ease, and instilling confidence that they will work in partnership with you to maximize your NDIS plan and available supports.