MENTAL HEALTH & DISABILITY SUPPORTS | HUNTER & CENTRAL COAST

Specialist support coordination

Helping participants with higher support needs overcome barriers and access the right services.

Malina in Hunter Care Group uniform.
Specialist support coordination helps people with high support needs to get the most out of their NDIS plans. At Hunter Care Group, we can recommend suitable service providers, reduce barriers to access and empower participants to achieve their goals.

No needs are too complex for our specialist support coordinators

Does a participant or loved one have specific environmental or behavioural challenges and require a higher level of support? We can connect them with capacity-building supports within a level 3 specialised support coordination framework.

Whether their higher needs are related to a requirement for ramps and lifts or due to poor visual signalling, physical or verbal aggression, self-injury or withdrawal, our experienced, degree-qualified coordinators make sure they don’t become a barrier to living life more proactively.

A man in a lifting sling being helped by a woman.

How can specialist support coordination help?

Specialist support coordinators can help participants with complex needs to navigate the NDIS, connect with their community and build capacity.

Overcome obstacles

A core component of NDIS specialist support coordination is to work with participants to identify and understand the barriers impacting their ability to access, use and maintain supports. We will find solutions to these barriers and establish a process to pinpoint which ones must be addressed first.

Receive personalised support

A specialist support coordinator will design a service plan for complex needs if required. Establishing communication and collaboration processes helps services to work together. We can also resolve complex issues and ensure consistent delivery in a crisis or unplanned event.

Fostering new life skills

Our highly-trained specialist support coordinators can help to organise service appointments and keep track of progression towards specific goals. We are passionate about assisting NDIS participants to develop new skills, boost self-confidence and ultimately lead more independent lives.

A Hunter Care Group employee talking to a patient.

We love Hunter Care Group

We are Hunter Care Group

In operation since the NDIS rollout, we’re one of Newcastle and the Hunter’s leading NDIS providers. We put people first and quality and compassion back into care. Our mental health and disability support services are simple, effective and tailored to your needs – and enabled by the latest digital systems.

A hunter Care Group employee helping a man make breakfast.

Our easy referral process

In need of support? We are here for you. We make the referral process quick and easy while keeping it personal – and personalised.

Frequently asked questions

Specialist support coordination is the highest level of support coordination available under the NDIS. It is for participants with complex circumstances and who require additional specific supports to meet their goals.

The aim is to reduce barriers to access and help design a personalised plan for their support needs, where necessary.

Funded by the NDIS, specialist support coordinators advise participants on where and how to receive suitable supports, connecting each person with the most appropriate providers.

An NDIS specialist support coordinator performs similar tasks to a support coordinator, such as helping participants create personalised support plans, access local providers and prepare service agreements.

However, unlike support coordination, specialist support coordination centres around managing risks to service access. A specialist support coordinator helps participants identify and overcome complex barriers.

That’s why this funding is usually reserved for individuals with a complex disability, injury or health condition is complex or several diagnoses. That said, an NDIS plan can include both support coordination and specialist support coordination, depending on the circumstances.

Specialist support coordination must be delivered by a qualified specialist support coordinator with experience in addressing complex support needs and barriers in the environment.

At Hunter Care Group, your specialist support coordinator will be qualified and hold the relevant professional registrations, aligned with the peak body of their expertise.

A specialist support coordinator can help NDIS participants with complex support needs. This service can be requested by the participant, their carer or other key stakeholders.

From there, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) will review the circumstances to decide whether it is reasonable and necessary to add Specialist Support Coordination to the NDIS plan.

If you are eligible for NDIS funding, specialist support coordination may be included in your plan within the Capacity Building budget.

It depends on the level of support needed, or in other words, what is ‘reasonable and necessary’ for the individual to achieve their goals. Importantly, this is in addition to the informal support of family and friends, as well as community and government services.

To learn more about receiving specialist coordination of supports in Newcastle, Central Coast, Hunter Valley, Lake Macquarie or Maitland, call our friendly team today.

Meet our coordinators of supports

Our experienced team are here to help you navigate your NDIS journey with coordination of supports.

Malina in Hunter Care Group uniform.

Malina Skelly

Specialist Coordinator of Supports
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Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)
What do you love about working at HCG?
The passionate, consumer focused care provided by staff.
What are your favourite interests/activities outside of work?
Spending time with my family and friends, spending time at the beach and the gym.
What's your favourite Newcastle haunt/hangout?
Hickson Street Lookout.

Bronte Naughton

Senior Coordinator of Supports
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Diploma of Community Services | Statement of Attainment - Individual Supports

What do you love about working at Hunter Care Group?
I love the person-centred approach, and the strong values Hunter Care Group uphold. The high level of support from management and other colleagues has always been a constant throughout my entire time at HCG, not only as a Coordinator but also as a Support Worker.
What are your favourite interests/activities out of work?
Seeing my friends and exercising.
What's your favourite Newcastle hangout?
Redhead or Dudley Beach!

Anne-Marie Adams

Coordinator of Supports
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Diploma in Community Services
What do you love about working at Hunter Care Group?
The culture and being able to help participants achieve their goals.
What are your favourite interests/activities out of work?
Spending time with my family.
What's your favourite Newcastle hangout?
I enjoy spending time at all the beautiful parks and beaches that Newcastle has to offer.

Leesa Corrigan

Coordinator of Supports
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What do you love about working at Hunter Care Group?
It’s important for me to be a part of a workplace that’s both supportive and fun.
What are your favourite interests/activities out of work?
I love the beach, camping and just generally being outdoors in the sunshine with family and friends. I also love Thai food and sticky date pudding and ice cream!
What's your favourite Newcastle hangout?
I do love having a Newy Burger Co ‘Stocko’ burger on the hill at Bar Beach.

Stevie-Lee Price

Coordinator of Supports
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Currently undertaking a Diploma in Community Services.
What do you love about working at Hunter Care Group?
The supportive team environment and culture.
What are your favourite interests/activities out of work?
Weightlifting, Crossfit and spending time with family and friends.
What's your favourite Newcastle hangout?
I don’t really have one!

Ella Dunlop

Coordinator of Supports
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What do you love about working at Hunter Care Group?
I love working within such a friendly and passionate organisation, dedicated to supporting not only our participants and helping them reach their goals, but supporting their staff also.
What are your favourite interests/activities out of work?
I love spending quality time with my loved ones and being active within my community. I love trying/cooking new recipes, going to the gym and long walks with my dog.
What's your favourite Newcastle hangout?
Dixon Beach. It has a beautiful view of both Dixon and Merewether beach, and feels very calming.

Sophie Jennings

Coordinator of Supports
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What do you love about working at Hunter Care Group?
The entire team and culture of the company. I feel so supported by management and my colleagues. The person-centred care and company values are upheld and mean for a wonderful work environment. I love my role of supporting and building participants capacity in day to day lives, ensuring for a great quality of life. The participants themselves are unique and interesting keeping each day exciting.
What are your favourite interests/activities out of work?
Attending live music gigs and festivals, stand up paddle boarding, catching up with friends and family, going out for coffee and a walk around the local beaches.
What's your favourite Newcastle hangout?
Any live music venue in the area.

Chas Greally

Coordinator of Supports
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What do you love about working at Hunter Care Group?
What are your favourite interests/activities out of work?
What's your favourite Newcastle hangout?

Katelyn Seage

Coordinator of Supports
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What do you love about working at Hunter Care Group?
What are your favourite interests/activities out of work?
What's your favourite Newcastle hangout?

Isabelle Allomes

Coordinator of Supports
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What do you love about working at Hunter Care Group?
What are your favourite interests/activities out of work?
What's your favourite Newcastle hangout?

Lucy Dunlop

Coordinator of Supports
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What do you love about working at Hunter Care Group?
I love the opportunities we get to help participants achieved their goals inside and outside of the NDIS. I am also grateful for the supportive environment that Hunter Care Group creates for their staff.
What are your favourite interests/activities out of work?
I enjoy cooking and going to the gym, as well as spending time with my friends and family.
What's your favourite Newcastle hangout?
I love going for a scenic drive or walk along all of the beaches or the foreshore!

Terri-Anne Grugeon

Coordinator of Supports
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What do you love about working at Hunter Care Group?
What are your favourite interests/activities out of work?
What's your favourite Newcastle hangout?
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