Finding the right local services can be difficult when you are managing an NDIS plan, especially when you do not know which providers or community services can help. A support coordinator can help you understand your options, find suitable services and coordinate the supports you choose.
I wanted to write about this after noticing how often people focus on finding an NDIS provider but overlook the local community and mainstream services that may also support their goals. I checked current NDIS guidance to understand what support coordinators can actually help with and where their role starts and ends.
This article is for NDIS participants, families, carers and nominees who want to understand how support coordination can help them connect with services in their local area.
Table of Contents
What Does a Support Coordinator Actually Do?
A support coordinator helps you understand and use your NDIS plan. One important part of their role is helping you connect with NDIS providers, community services and mainstream services that fit your goals and circumstances.
The NDIS explains that support coordinators can help you choose providers, connect with community and mainstream services, understand your funding and build the skills needed to manage your own supports.
For example, your goal might be to become more independent in your community. Your support coordinator may help you identify suitable supports, contact providers, understand how different services work together and set up the services you choose.
The goal is not simply to give you a list of phone numbers. It is to help you understand your options and make your own decisions.
What Local Services Can You Connect With?
Local services can mean different things depending on your needs and where you live. They may include NDIS providers as well as services outside the NDIS.
Depending on your situation, you may need help finding:
- Disability support providers
- Community participation programs
- Employment or education services
- Transport and community access options
- Allied health services
- Mental health and wellbeing services
- Local community groups
- Recreational or social activities
- Housing or tenancy-related services
- Mainstream government or community services
The NDIS also provides a Provider Finder where participants can search for providers by support type and location.
Your support coordinator can help you understand which options may fit your goals rather than expecting you to work everything out yourself.
How Support Coordination Helps You Find the Right Service
Finding a service is one thing. Finding a service that actually fits your needs is different.
A support coordinator can start by understanding what you want to achieve.
For example, imagine your goal is to become more socially connected. You may not need another support worker simply visiting your home. You might benefit from a local community activity, social group, volunteering opportunity or recreation program.
Your support coordinator can help you explore these options and work out how they fit with your existing supports.
The NDIS says support coordination should be based on the participant’s goals, NDIS plan and individual circumstances.
They can also help you establish and maintain your supports after you choose them.
Connecting NDIS Supports With Mainstream Services
Your NDIS plan is only one part of your life. Some services you need may sit outside the NDIS.
For example, you may need to connect with a local health service, community organisation, employment service or other mainstream support.
Support coordinators can help participants connect with community and mainstream services as part of their role.
This can be useful when several services are involved. Instead of treating every support separately, you can look at how they fit together around your goals.
For example, if you want to improve your employment situation, your support coordinator might help you understand your NDIS-funded supports while also helping you connect with suitable employment or education services.
How to Make the Most of Your Support Coordinator
Your support coordinator can do more when you clearly explain what you want from your supports.
Before your meeting, think about:
- What do I want to achieve?
- Which parts of daily life are difficult right now?
- What services am I already using?
- What services have I tried before?
- What type of local support would make life easier?
- Are there services I want to access but do not know how to find?
- Do I have concerns about changing or adding providers?
You can also ask your coordinator to explain why they are suggesting a particular service.
You should understand your choices before agreeing to anything.
The NDIS states that support coordinators should provide information that helps participants make their own decisions about their plans and supports.
You Still Choose Your Providers
Having a support coordinator does not mean they automatically choose services for you.
You generally have a choice about which providers you work with. The NDIS also says participants can change providers when they want to, subject to the terms of their service agreement.
When considering a local provider, look at things such as:
- Whether they provide the type of support you need
- Their location and availability
- How they communicate
- Their experience with your type of support
- Their fees and service agreement
- Whether they suit your preferences and goals
You can ask questions before deciding. You do not have to choose the first provider you contact.
What If You Cannot Find a Suitable Local Service?
Sometimes the service you need may have limited availability in your area.
In that situation, tell your support coordinator exactly what is stopping you from accessing support. It could be distance, waiting lists, availability, cost, communication needs or the type of service offered.
Your coordinator can help you look at other options and consider whether a different provider or community service could meet the same goal.
The NDIS recommends researching providers and considering whether they are suitable for your needs. You can also ask people you trust for recommendations and check provider reviews.
Support Coordination Can Help You Become More Independent
Support coordination is also about building your ability to manage your supports over time.
The NDIS describes support coordination as helping participants build confidence and skills to use and coordinate their own supports. There are three levels of support coordination, including support connection, support coordination and specialist support coordination, depending on a participant’s circumstances.
This means your support coordinator may help you learn how to find providers, communicate with services, understand agreements and deal with problems rather than doing everything for you.
Over time, you may become more confident handling some of these tasks yourself.
Questions to Ask Your Support Coordinator
If you are unsure how to use support coordination, start with simple questions.
- What local services could help me work towards my goals?
- Are there community services outside the NDIS that I should know about?
- Why would you recommend this provider?
- What other options do I have?
- Can you help me compare these providers?
- What should I check before signing a service agreement?
- What should I do if the provider is not meeting my needs?
- Can I change providers if I am unhappy with the service?
These questions can help you stay involved in decisions about your supports.
FAQs
Can a support coordinator help me find services outside the NDIS?
Yes. Support coordinators can help participants connect with community and mainstream services as well as NDIS providers. The type of help depends on your goals, needs and NDIS plan.
Can my support coordinator choose a provider for me?
No, you generally choose which providers you want to work with. Your support coordinator can help you research and compare options so you can make an informed decision.
Can I change my support coordinator?
Yes, you can choose to change your support coordinator, although you should check the notice requirements in your service agreement. The NDIS states that participants can change support coordinators and that the change process includes a handover to support continuity.
Finding local services can become easier when you have someone who understands your NDIS plan and can help you explore the options around you. A support coordinator can help connect the different pieces, explain your choices and support you while you build the confidence to manage your supports yourself.
The most useful starting point is simple: be clear about what you want to achieve, explain what is currently difficult and ask what local options are available. From there, you can make decisions based on what actually fits your life.
