Support Coordination is a compass for navigating the NDIS, making sure you get the most out of your plan. It centres around guiding participants to access the right supports and services for their personal goals.
Reserved for those with very high or complex needs, Specialist Support Coordination is the most hands-on assistance available.
At Hunter Care Group, our NDIS-registered Specialist Support Coordinators are here to help you find clarity in complex care, overcome hurdles, and take each step towards your goals with less stress.
Here, we explain Specialist Support Coordination under the NDIS, who is eligible, how it works and the benefits it brings for participants with complex care needs. Keep reading to discover whether this may be the right pathway for your unique situation.
What is Specialist Support Coordination in the NDIS?
NDIS Specialist Support Coordination provides the highest level of assistance for participants with unique, complex needs. This service helps these individuals receive the right support and resources to fulfil their goals, despite barriers to access.
The role of Specialist Support Coordination is to help you overcome these obstacles, design a personalised NDIS plan, and connect you with suitable service providers and resources.
Along the way, your Specialist Support Coordinator will help in managing risks and reducing complexities within the support environment.
Support coordination vs Specialist Support Coordination?
The key difference between support coordination and Specialist Support Coordination lies in the level of support required and the complexity of the participant’s needs.
Support coordination helps NDIS participants implement their plans by connecting them with services and building a support network. It empowers participants to manage their supports, maximise their NDIS funding, and prepare for challenges, with the ultimate goal of fostering greater independence.
On the other hand, Specialist Support Coordination is for participants with complex needs, especially those in high-risk situations or facing significant barriers. Specialist Support Coordinators are highly trained in managing crises, coordinating multiple services, and overcoming obstacles to ensure participants get the care they need.
In essence, while support coordination helps participants manage everyday supports and build capacity, Specialist Support Coordination provides a higher level of expertise and assistance for those who need more involved care and crisis management.
How can a Specialist Support Coordinator help an NDIS participant?
A Specialist Support Coordinator plays a crucial role in connecting NDIS participants to a range of tailored supports, services, and opportunities.
After all, our primary goal is to enhance your health, well-being, and community involvement, while also minimising the challenges posed by complex needs and external circumstances.
Here are the core ways we can help you on your NDIS journey:
Pinpointing and overcoming obstacles
Your Specialist Support Coordinator will assess the specific challenges that may stand in your way. By working closely with you, your family, and carers, they’ll gain a deep understanding of what might hinder your access to essential services and supports.
Equipped with this knowledge, they can then come up with innovative strategies to break down those barriers and ensure you receive the support you need.
Crafting a personalised service plan
After flagging barriers and evaluating possible solutions, your Specialist Support Coordinator will work with you to develop a tailored service plan.
Your goals and priorities will drive every step of this service planning process. Together, you’ll identify the key people who can help action your NDIS plan and provide support along the way.
This plan is designed to fit your distinct needs, with a focus on driving the best possible outcomes. It will:
- Ensure everyone involved is aligned and working together to help you pursue your goals.
- Provide clear guidelines on how communication and collaboration should flow between your support network.
- Equip you, your family, and carers with tools to handle unexpected challenges and situations.
- Secure ongoing access to the essential services you need, especially during a crisis, ensuring you always have the support you require.
Connecting you with the right support services
Once your plan is in place, your Specialist Support Coordinator partners with you, your family, and carers to bring its inclusions to life.
We will tap into their vast network of trusted providers and resources, matching you with the most effective funded and non-funded services to fulfil your unique needs.
From there, we will work to ensure consistent service delivery and access to crucial supports – even in times of crisis or unforeseen events.
Benefits of Specialist Support Coordination
Personalised support
By tailoring support to each unique situation, participants can experience real progress towards their goals.
During difficult times, Specialist Support Coordination facilitates quick access to the right services, helping to create a sense of stability and relief. Acting as caring advocates, we ensure that participants receive the right support exactly when they need it.
Simplified process
Navigating healthcare, disability, and social support systems can feel overwhelming. Our Specialist Support Coordinators are here to make it easier, gently guiding participants and their families through every step.
With our expertise, participants can make informed decisions about their care with confidence and clarity.
Cohesive care
Specialist Support Coordination takes a holistic approach, making sure participants experience fully coordinated care that addresses every part of their lives.
We bring together the services that best support each participant, helping create a more harmonious, effective path to positive outcomes.
Less stress for families and carers
Specialist Support Coordination eases the load on families and carers by managing the complexities of care. That way, loved ones can focus on providing much-needed emotional support instead.
Knowing a compassionate, qualified professional is handling the logistics offers peace of mind and confidence in the quality of care being provided.
Greater independence
Our Specialist Support Coordinators help participants build skills that nurture independence. As they take more control over their support and daily lives, participants develop the confidence to navigate challenges and make empowered choices.
We continuously monitor and adjust support as needed, helping them stay on track towards a fulfilling life.
Effective funding allocation
With Specialist Support Coordination, participants can maximise their NDIS plans. That’s because a big part of our job is to ensure funding is used thoughtfully and effectively at every turn.
As needs change, we help adjust the plan to continue providing meaningful, tailored support, setting participants up for lasting success and growth.
Am I eligible for Specialist Support Coordination?
Eligibility for Specialist Support Coordination depends on the complexity of your needs and the level of assistance required to manage your NDIS plan effectively.
This service is generally aimed at participants who face significant challenges due to complex disabilities, mental health conditions, or other factors that make navigating and coordinating support services difficult on their own.
If you experience frequent crises, require intensive help to connect with services, or have high-risk circumstances, you may qualify for this specialised support.
Not sure if you’re eligible for Specialist Support Coordination? We’re here to help you determine the ideal level of NDIS funding for your needs.
Always taking a personalised approach, we’ll carefully assess your individual circumstances to ensure you can access NDIS supports that empower you to thrive.
Can I get help from a support Coordinator and a Specialist Support Coordinator?
Yes. You can have funding for both Support Coordination and Specialist Support Coordination in your NDIS plan, or just for Specialist Support Coordination. It all comes down to what is considered ‘reasonable and necessary’ support for your unique needs.
How to get Specialist Support Coordination in your NDIS plan
If you’re eligible, Specialist Support Coordination will be funded through the Capacity Building budget—a resource designed to help you maximise your NDIS plan with the guidance of an experienced professional.
If your plan specifies a particular level of support coordination, you’ll only have access to that level. That said, if your funding is flexible, you can allocate your budget across multiple levels of support coordination as you like. This way, you’ll have a dynamic, collaborative team on hand to help you meet your goals.
For more information on accessing Specialist Support Coordination in Newcastle, Central Coast, Hunter Valley, Lake Macquarie, or Maitland, get in touch with our dedicated team today.
Who provides Specialist Support Coordination?
Specialist Support Coordination should be delivered by qualified professionals with the expertise to handle complex needs while navigating barriers in the participant’s environment.
At Hunter Care Group, our Specialist Support Coordinators are not only certified but also bring years of hands-on experience to every NDIS journey. With our team by your side, you can trust that you’re getting the expert support needed to achieve your goals.
Access Specialist Support Coordination in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley
Specialist Support Coordination ensures individuals with unique and complex needs get the most out of their NDIS plans. At Hunter Care Group, we’re deeply committed to finding the right services, easing access to support, and helping participants grow toward their personal goals.
Whether it’s creating a home with ramps and lifts, or addressing challenges like low visual cues, physical aggression or feelings of withdrawal, our degree-qualified coordinators are here to help make these needs manageable so they don’t stand in the way of a fulfilling life.
To learn more about NDIS Specialist Support Coordination in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley, please call us at (02) 4950 2269 or enquire online.