Whether you’re new to the NDIS, already have a Plan (or maybe you’ve had several) or perhaps you’re a new provider, the language in the NDIS, the roles and what they do can be hard understand. In the list below we have simplified some of the most commonly used terms you will need to know.
Planner
This person is employed by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). A Planner is responsible for writing and finalising your plan. Sometimes, you may deal directly with this person – in your planning meeting and in any follow-up meetings. Other times, you’ll only have contact with a planning partner such as Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) partner. For some people, their planner will be a mystery, as initials signing off on the plan cover letter.
Local Area Coordinator (LAC)
This person is employed by an agency which is contracted by the NDIA to assist participants. Depending on where live, you may work with St Vincent de Paul, Mission Australia, Uniting Care, Feros Care etc.
Your LAC may work with you in a number of different ways, including:
- Holding your initial planning meeting or plan review meeting
- Advising you on how you can use your plan
- Supporting you to explore and connect with new supports
*Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) – this person is also employed by an agency which is contracted by the NDIA to assist children with a disability 0-6yrs. Depending on where live, this service is provided by organisations such as Life Start, Brotherhood of St Lawrence etc.
Coordinator of Supports (COS)
This role can be funded from your plan. It is in a separate category called “Support Coordination”. A Support Coordinator can be a very valuable member of your team. They can assist you with:
- Explaining your plan and what it all means
- Brainstorming ways you can use the funding to receive meaningful support
- Assist you to connect with supports and services
- Assist you to communicate with your providers
- Advising and supporting you to resolve any issues with service delivery
- Providing training and support with budgeting
- Helping you prepare for your plan review
*It’s important to know that if you don’t have a COS specific budget included within your plan you may be able to use COS services via another budget.
Plan Manager
This role is specifically funded from your plan and can be requested during your initial planning meeting or plan review meeting. The support category that funds a Plan Manager is called “Improved Life Choices” (paper/PDF plan) or “CB Choice and Control” (if viewing on the NDIS Portal).
A Plan Manager is also known as a ‘financial intermediary’, meaning that their main job is to claim from your funding, to pay all your provider invoices and to keep financial spending records on behalf of the participant.
The Plan Tracker difference…
There is some room within the Plan Manager role to really add extra value (which we love!). At Plan Tracker, we go out of our way to make the Plan Management experience even easier.
We do this by:
Connect Sessions – this is a complimentary conversation (either over the phone or via video chat) so we can hear directly from you about your goals, what’s important to understand about your individual circumstances and how that influences how you spend your funding, and what’s important to you – how would you like to work together?
Plan Tracker App – Access to up-to-date information, wherever you are! Our App gives you access to see each of your plan managed budget categories, how much you have spent (what’s been claimed from the NDIS and paid provider invoices), and how much you have left in your budget. This easy to understand information gives peace of mind to individuals and families.
At a glance emails – no more waiting for monthly statements. To compliment our App (which you can access 24/7), we’ll send you an email each week with an overview.
Question? Call us anytime. Whether you’re Plan Managing with us already or thinking about how the Plan Tracker way of Plan Management could work, our friendly team is here to help! Give them a call on 1800 549 670.
Allied Health
Allied Health includes people such as a Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Speech Therapist, Early Childhood Educator etc. An allied health professional can help with:
- Assessments and reports to identify areas of need. These reports can be used as supporting evidence when requesting funding, or lodge NDIA forms requests for equipment and home modifications;
- Development of strategies and specific exercises/activities to build new skills;
- Make recommendations for other activities or equipment, outside of the therapy clinic, which will support you towards your goals.
Therapy Assistant (TA)
This role is defined by the NDIA as ‘an Allied Health Assistant who works under the supervision of your therapist, while also being covered by the professional indemnity insurance of the supervising therapist’ (or the therapist’s employing provider)
Therapy Assistants are divided into 2 support levels, with the difference being supervision.
- Level 1 – TA under the direct supervision at all times by the therapist.
- Level 2 – TA under the supervision of a therapist, where the therapist is satisfied that the allied health assistant is able to work independently without direct supervision at all times.
Support Worker
This is one of the most versatile roles. A good partnership with a support worker/s can open up so many opportunities for support. How you use a support worker will depend on your goals and categories of funding, but here are a few ideas to get you thinking:
Help around the home with daily tasks such as laundry and meal preparation
- Daily personal care such as showering
- Maintenance around the home, such as gardens
- Help with getting out and about for regular tasks such as shopping, appointments and socialising
Some of the more strategic roles that a trusted support worker could help you with include:
- Researching and assisting you to find new supports – Whether it be a type of therapy, training or a new piece of equipment
- Coordination of your support team with tasks such as training, rostering and other administrative tasks.
- (as outlined under Therapy Assistant) helping you to implement a regular therapy program under the supervision of a therapist
Advocate
There are independent advocacy organisations in each state. They are available to guide you with applying for the NDIS, and to help you understand your rights when submitting internal and external reviews.
You can use the links below, or use this online directory tool.
https://disabilityadvocacyfinder.dss.gov.au/disability/ndap/
- NSW – http://da.org.au/
- QLD – https://qai.org.au/ndis-appeals-support/
- VIC – https://riac.org.au/ndis-appeals/
- TAS – https://advocacytasmania.org.au/our-services/
- NT – https://www.dcls.org.au/legal-and-advocacy-services/ndis/
Have questions? Join the conversation inside our friendly and knowledgeable Facebook Group – NDIS Plan & Self Management Community