MENTAL HEALTH & DISABILITY SUPPORTS | HUNTER & CENTRAL COAST

Specialist support coordination

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Kym Draeger

Senior Coordinator of Supports
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Aged Care, Management, Human Resources, WHS

What do you love about working at Hunter Care Group?
I love the positive culture Hunter Care Group provides and the supportive work relationships.
What are your favourite interests/activities out of work?
Spending time with loved ones, holidays to new destinations and going to concerts.
What's your favourite Newcastle hangout?
Port Stephens area – especially the beaches.

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.

Kacey Houldsworth

Coordinator of Supports
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Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor of Teaching
What do you love about working at Hunter Care Group?
Hunter Care Group is a great organisation with a highly skilled team and sincere core values that all staff embrace.
What are your favourite interests/activities out of work?
I love spending time with my family, friends and dog Maggie. I enjoy going to the beach, bushwalking, painting, music and going on adventures!
What's your favourite Newcastle hangout?
All of the beaches!

Jack Mclennan

Coordinator of Supports
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Certificate III Business | Currently studying Bachelor of Social Work
What do you love about working at Hunter Care Group?
I love how much Hunter care group care about the staff and the participants. I believe we provide the highest quality person-centred care in the industry which makes me proud to be a part of the organisation.
What are your favourite interests/activities out of work?
My interests are golf and watching all sports.
What's your favourite Newcastle hangout?
Mereweather baths or any of the surrounding beaches are my favourite spots to relax!

Lily Robards

Coordinator of Supports
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Currently undertaking Certificate IV in Community Services
What do you love about working at Hunter Care Group?
I love working with amazing colleagues who are dedicated to their jobs and are a wealth of knowledge. Hunter Care Group is like a second family.
What are your favourite interests/activities out of work?
I love spending time with family and friends and going to the beach during the summer. I also enjoy going on road trips with my friends and using my weekends to enjoy music festivals.
What's your favourite Newcastle hangout?
Caves 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.

Bronte Naughton

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!

Erin Hall

Coordinator of Supports
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Diploma of Community Services
What do you love about working at Hunter Care Group?
The support they give all staff and participants and the great work/life balance. HCG feels like home!
What are your favourite interests/activities out of work?
Spending time with family and watching documentaries.
What's your favourite Newcastle hangout?
Nando's

Paige Robertson

Coordinator of Supports
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Certificate lll in Community Services
What do you love about working at Hunter Care Group?
I’ve been with HCG for almost 5 years. I started as a support worker in the community in 2018, worked my way to SIL Team Leader and then into the COS role. I enjoy HCG's supportive environment and culture and the ongoing efforts to provide quality services to our participants and community.
What are your favourite interests/activities out of work?
Hanging out with friends and family, going camping and to the beach.
What's your favourite Newcastle hangout?
Redhead Beach, Glenrock State Conservation Area and Harry & Lola's Cafe (Spears Point).

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.

Terri-Anne Grugeon

Coordinator of Supports
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Alistair Redfern

Coordinator of Supports
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What do you love about working at Hunter Care Group?
Helping the Participants build their confidence and get out and about in the community, especially activities that involve physical exercise.
What are your favourite interests/activities out of work?
Derby County - I love football (soccer), crossfit and cooking.
What's your favourite Newcastle hangout?
Any local bar or cafe.
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