Understanding a NDIS plan can involve finding providers, coordinating different supports and understanding how available funding can be used. For some participants, this can be difficult to manage without assistance.
NDIS support coordination services provides information, guidance and practical assistance to help participants make the most of their plan and feel more confident managing their supports. The aim is to support choice and control, allowing participants to make informed decisions about the services and supports they use.
What Are NDIS Support Coordination Services?
Support coordination is a capacity-building support that may be funded in an NDIS plan. It helps participants understand and use their plan, connect with providers and community services, and build the skills and confidence to organise and manage their supports more independently over time.
Funding for support coordination must be included in a participant’s NDIS plan. Not every participant receives this funding automatically; whether it forms part of a plan depends on individual circumstances and is decided during the planning process.
VHCC provides NDIS Support Coordination services to help eligible participants get the most from this type of support, from understanding their funding through to coordinating providers day to day.
For example, a participant who uses several providers may need help coordinating appointments, communicating with providers or finding an alternative service. A support coordinator can assist the participant in understanding their options and making decisions based on their needs and preferences.
Support coordination is not about making decisions for a participant. The participant remains involved in decisions about their supports.
What Does a NDIS Support Coordinator Do?
In practice, a support coordinator’s role can cover a broad range of tasks. Depending on a participant’s needs and what is included in their plan, this may include helping them to:
- Understand and implement their NDIS plan
- Identify suitable providers and services
- Connect with community, mainstream and funded supports
- Establish and manage service agreements
- Coordinate multiple providers
- Monitor plan budgets and the effectiveness of current supports
- Prepare for plan reassessments or other plan-related discussions
- Build confidence and capacity to manage their own supports over time
- Develop strategies for managing barriers or unexpected changes in circumstances
Not every participant will need help with all of these tasks. A support coordinator’s involvement is generally shaped by what is included in the participant’s plan and their individual goals.
What Are the Three Levels of Support Coordination?
The NDIS currently describes three levels of support coordination. The appropriate level depends on the participant’s circumstances and the support included in their plan.
Level 1 – Support Connection
Support connection helps participants understand their NDIS plan and connect with providers, community services and mainstream supports.
It may help a participant:
- Understand their plan
- Find suitable providers
- Connect with community and mainstream services
- Build confidence in using their supports
The focus is on helping participants establish connections and make better use of their available supports.
Level 2 – Support Coordination
Support coordination provides more ongoing assistance to put a mix of supports in place and build a participant’s capacity to manage them.
This may include coordinating different providers, helping with service arrangements and supporting the participant to develop skills for managing their supports.
The NDIS describes this level as helping participants build their capacity to maintain relationships, manage tasks, live more independently and participate in their community.
Level 3 – Specialist Support Coordination
Specialist support coordination provides a higher level of support for participants with more complex needs who require specialist assistance.
It may help participants manage complex situations and coordinate supports where additional assistance is required.
The appropriate level should be based on the participant’s individual circumstances rather than simply choosing a higher level of support.
What Are the Benefits of Support Coordination?
Support coordination can provide practical assistance while helping participants develop skills and confidence to manage their supports.
Potential benefits include:
- Better understanding of a NDIS plan: Support coordinators can explain relevant plan information and available support options.
- Greater choice and control: Participants can explore options and make informed decisions about their supports.
- Finding appropriate providers: A support coordinator can help identify providers that may suit the participant’s needs and preferences.
- Better coordination: Different providers and services can be coordinated to reduce confusion and improve communication.
- Increased confidence: Participants can develop skills to communicate with providers and manage their supports.
- Working towards personal goals: Support coordination can help participants connect their supports with their individual goals and priorities.
- Help responding to barriers or changes: A support coordinator can help participants adjust their supports if their circumstances change unexpectedly.
The benefits of support coordination will vary depending on the participant’s circumstances, needs and goals.
Who May Benefit from NDIS Support Coordination Services?
Support coordination may be particularly useful for participants who need assistance understanding their plan or coordinating multiple supports.
This may include people who:
- Are new to the NDIS
- Find their plan difficult to understand
- Work with several different providers
- Have experienced changes in their circumstances
- Need help finding suitable services
- Want to build confidence managing their supports
- Have complex support needs
For someone new to the NDIS, a support coordinator may help explain their plan and identify suitable services. For someone already using several providers, support coordination may focus more on communication, coordination and reviewing whether existing arrangements are working.
How to Choose a NDIS Support Coordinator
Choosing a support coordinator is an important decision. Participants should consider whether a provider has the experience, communication style and knowledge needed to support their individual circumstances.
When looking for an independent support coordinator or other support coordination provider, consider:
- Relevant experience and qualifications: Ask about the provider’s experience and qualifications and whether they have worked with participants with similar support needs.
- Knowledge of the NDIS: A support coordinator should understand the NDIS and be able to explain relevant information clearly.
- Understanding your needs and goals: The provider should take time to understand what is important to you and how you want your supports to work.
- Clear communication: Consider how the provider communicates, how you can contact them and how they will keep you informed about your supports.
- Local knowledge and provider connections: Knowledge of community and mainstream services can help when exploring available options.
- Respect for choice and control: The participant should remain involved in decisions about their supports. A support coordinator should provide information and assistance without taking control of those decisions.
- Transparency about conflicts of interest: Ask whether the provider has financial or other interests in services they recommend. Any potential conflict should be clearly explained.
- Appropriate level of support: Make sure the provider can offer the level of support coordination relevant to your plan and circumstances.
If you are searching for a NDIS support coordinator near me or a support coordinator NDIS near me, compare providers based on their experience, services and approach rather than location alone.
If you are comparing options through a NDIS support coordinators list, ask potential providers about their experience, communication, availability, approach to participant choice and the level of support they offer. Support coordination is intended to help you exercise choice and control, if you are ever unhappy with a provider, or your circumstances change, a support coordinator can help you explore alternatives and understand the steps involved in changing arrangements.
How VHCC Can Help
VHCC provides NDIS Support Coordination services to assist participants with understanding and coordinating their supports.
The focus is on providing practical assistance based on each participant’s needs, preferences and goals. This can include helping participants understand their supports, connect with suitable services and build confidence in managing their NDIS arrangements.
If you are considering support coordination and would like to discuss your support needs, VHCC can provide further information about its services.
Learn more about VHCC’s NDIS Support Coordination services or contact our team to discuss your support needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is NDIS support coordination?
NDIS support coordination helps participants understand and use their plan, connect with suitable services, and coordinate their supports. It also helps build the skills and confidence to manage supports more independently over time.
- Is support coordination included in every NDIS plan?
No. Support coordination is not automatically included in every plan. Funding depends on your individual circumstances and support needs and must be included in your plan to access this service through the NDIS.
- What can a support coordinator help me with?
A support coordinator can help you understand your plan, find providers, arrange service agreements and coordinate different services. They can also help you monitor your support budget, prepare for plan reassessments and respond to changes in your circumstances.
- What are the three levels of support coordination?
Level 1, Support Connection, helps you understand your plan and connect with services. Level 2, Support Coordination, helps you coordinate your supports and build your capacity to manage them. Level 3, Specialist Support Coordination, provides specialist assistance for participants with more complex needs.
- Will a support coordinator make decisions for me?
A support coordinator helps you explore your options and make informed decisions. Your needs, preferences and goals guide the process, and you remain involved in choosing your providers and deciding how your supports are delivered.
- Can a support coordinator help me change providers?
Yes. If a service is not meeting your needs, a support coordinator can help you explore alternatives and understand the steps involved in changing providers. This may include reviewing your existing service agreement and coordinating the transition.
- How do I choose the right support coordinator?
Look for someone who understands your needs, communicates clearly and has relevant experience. Ask about their availability, knowledge of local services and approach to choice and control. They should also explain any potential conflicts of interest when recommending providers.
- How can VHCC help with support coordination?
VHCC helps participants understand their NDIS plans, connect with suitable services and coordinate their supports. The team works with you around your needs, preferences and goals while helping you build confidence in managing your supports. Contact VHCC to discuss your needs and learn more about its support coordination services.
Sources and References
- NDIS – What is a Support Coordinator?: https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/working-providers/support-coordinators-and-plan-managers/what-support-coordinator
- NDIS – Guide to Working as a Support Coordinator: https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/working-participants/support-coordinators/guide-working-support-coordinator
- NDIS – How Support Coordinators Help Participants Connect with Supports: https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/working-participants/support-coordinators/how-help-participants-connect-ndis-supports
