Am I qualified to be a support coordinator?
NDIS Support Coordination funding has
helped to ensure people facing different challenges in their lives have a skilled
and strategic guide to help them navigate complex services and achieve their NDIS
plan goals.
NDIS Support Coordinators come from diverse
backgrounds with varying skills, qualifications, and experience.
Am I qualified to be a Support Coordinator?
There are no minimum qualification
requirements to become a Support Coordinator; thousands of NDIS Participants can
attest to the innovative and engaged Support Coordination provided by people with
lived experience in the NDIS, or backgrounds in totally unrelated fields.
That being said, many Support Coordinators also
come from advocacy and social service backgrounds with qualifications such as:
- Certificate IV in Community Services
- Certificate IV in Individual Support
- Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care
- Diploma of Mental Health
- Bachelor of Social Work
- Bachelor of Social Science
- Bachelor of Community Welfare
What functions does a support coordinator perform?
No two days are ever the same for a Support
Coordinator and it often requires some thinking outside of the box in order to
overcome some of the challenges faced.
The duties of Support Coordinators are broad,
and you will be expected to support a participant to:
- Understand their NDIS plan, the price guide and how budgets can be used
- Keep up to date with NDIS information and policy changes
- How to use the myGov and myplace participant portal
- Identify and connect with service providers
- Consider and find community and mainstream supports
- Make decisions about their services and activities
- Liaise with providers, explaining their unique goals, needs and preferences
- Understand and advise on Service Agreements
- Understand and complete service bookings and check service bookings are correct
- Work to build the capacity of the participant in making these decisions
- Submit regular reports to the NDIA and support the participant to prepare for review
- Monitor and manage any potential conflicts of interest
- Support the participant’s informal supports to be involved in helping the participant connect with services
- Ensure recommendations and quotes are completed
- Ensure the participant is receiving adequate service
- Ensure the participant is receiving quality services
- Monitor budgets and use of funds
- Report on how receiving Support
Coordination
funding has built the participant’s capacity, however incrementally, and provide justification of support delivered and/or support required going forward
Support Coordinators who upskill in targeted areas deliver a better service
Great Support Coordinators invest in their
own upskilling and education to ensure they can holistically support people
with disability to achieve their goals no matter what challenges may present.
It is important to understand that the role
of a Support Coordinator is much more than being able to connect NDIS
participants with local services and supports.
“I had no
idea! This has helped me so much, way worth it. Next time I will
just ask instead of just making do!”
Our Support
Coordination fundamentals workshopis designed to help build
your confidence in working within the NDIS, develop best practice and
consistently deliver great Support Coordination services.
What tools are there to help Support Coordinators?
Support
Coordination software can help Support Coordinators reduce their
administrative burden, ensure ongoing compliance and that information sharing
with participants is streamlined.
Administrative tasks such as recording and
tracking case notes, billable time, participant milestones, NDIA reports and plan
budgets can be simplified, automated and accessed at the touch of a button.
Support Coordinators who can manage all their
participants’ plans from one central place, access a supports & services
library and live track all invoices, spend more time making a difference in
participants’ lives.
How do I become a Support Coordinator?
If you're passionate about helping people
achieve their full potential and ready to embrace a culture of continual
improvement, you’re halfway there.
Support coordinators working for
NDIS-registered organisations need an NDIS Worker Screening Check before they
can start work. You can apply for your check through your state government
service department. Once you pass the NDIS Worker Screening Check, you will be
added to the worker registry on the NDIS Worker Screening Database.
To learn more about how you can become a great Support Coordinator, you can contact us or connect with us through Facebook.
