Understanding the Role of an NDIS Support Coordinator
NDIS Support Coordinators are the main drivers of the NDIS plan. If you are an NDIS Participant, then the role of an NDIS Support Coordinator is to help you with:
- Understanding your NDIS Plan.
- Using your NDIS plan to pursue your goals.
- Making the most of your NDIS-funded support.
- Connecting you with disability service providers, community, mainstream and other government services.
- Building your confidence and skills to use and coordinate your supports.
- Preparing you to handle your NDIS Plan independent.
How support coordinator gets included in your plan?
Not every NDIS Participant automatically receives an NDIS Support Coordinator.
To determine if you are eligible for this support, check the funding under CAPACITY BUILDING in your plan.
NDIS considers various factors when deciding to include NDIS Support Coordination in your plan, such as:
- Do you need additional help with connecting with disability service providers, community, mainstream and other government services.
- Do you need help with understanding your NDIS Plan and how NDIA works.
- If you do not have a family member to help you with NDIS Plan.
- Do you have the capacity & confidence to coordinate your support and handle additional responsibilities associated with the Support Coordination tasks?
Roles and Responsibilities of NDIS Support Coordinators
The Roles and Responsibilities of NDIS Support Coordinators are divided into three levels of Support Coordination:
Level 1:
The core responsibility of Level 1 NDIS Support Coordinator’s is to build your capacity to connect you with the informal support in the community.
For example, connect you with any free support available in the community and connect you with the disability service providers to complete your NDIS goals and help you connect with outside of NDIS support.
Level 2:
The core responsibility of Level 2 NDIS Support Coordinator’s is to help you understand your NDIS Plan and help you build skills to slowly handle your NDIS Plan independently.
Under this level, an NDIS Support Coordinator will also help you increase your capacity to maintain relationships, manage service delivery tasks, live more independently, and be included in your community.
Level 3:
For individuals with complex needs, both mental and physical, the core responsibility of Level 3 Support Coordination is to help them manage challenges in their support environment and ensuring consistent service delivery, providing a sense of security and care.
Qualifications Needed for NDIS Support Coordinators
While the NDIA has not provided any set qualifications for NDIS Support Coordinators, the Roles and Responsibilities of NDIS Support Coordinators are divided across three levels, allowing for a degree of flexibility.
I believe it is essential that:
- Level 1 & 2 NDIS Support Coordinators should have at least one qualification in Certificate III in Individual Support, Certificate IV in Ageing Support, or Certificate IV in Mental Health.
These qualifications are recommended as they provide a solid foundation for understanding the needs of our participants and the skills required to coordinate their support services effectively. - Level 3 Specialist Support Coordinators should have a Bachelor’s or higher degree in Mental Health, nursing, or social work so that they can assist NDIS participants with their complex needs.
It is crucial to remember that NDIS Support Coordinators must adhere to the NDIS Code of Conduct and NDIS Practice standards.
This commitment is not just a requirement, but a vital part of ensuring the safety and well-being of our participants, providing them with the reassurance they need.
Specialized Tasks
A few of the special tasks that NDIS Support Coordinators must do are:
- Take steps to raise and act on concerns that may impact the quality and safety of support and services provided to people with disability.
- take all reasonable steps to prevent and respond to all forms of violence against, and exploitation, neglect and abuse of, people with disability.
- As NDIS Support Coordinators, it’s important to always act with respect for individual rights. Your understanding and empathy in this area are crucial to our work.
- As NDIS Support Coordinators, it’s your responsibility to provide support and services safely and competently. Your competence in this area is key to our success.
- As NDIS Support Coordinators, it’s crucial to act with integrity, honesty, and transparency. Your commitment to these values is integral to the trust and respect we have for each other.
How CARE WITH US can support NDIS Support Coordinators?
At CARE WITH US, we recognize the daily challenges faced by NDIS Support Coordinators and are dedicated to easing their workload.
Our user-friendly client intake process is designed based on the feedback of numerous NDIS Support Coordinators, NDIS Participants, plan nominees, and Independent Support Workers.
As a leading disability service provider, we specialize in Short-Term Accommodation and Respite Assistance.
We take pride in our policy of no conflicts of interest with any service provider and our commitment to maintaining professional boundaries with our customers.
If you’re looking for a partner that values integrity, contact us at info@carewithus.com.au to learn more about our role within the community.
NDIS Respite/STA Organiser & Planner in Victoria
I hold a Master’s degree from the University of Melbourne and have dedicated my career to supporting NDIS participants. With extensive experience in providing Respite and Short-Term Accommodation services, this journey has been both personally and professionally enriching. It has allowed me to meet remarkable individuals within the NDIS community and continuously learn and grow alongside them.