What is a specialist support coordinator?

August 30, 2021

What is a specialist support coordinator?

If you or your child have more complex care needs or barriers that prevent you from achieving your goals, then you may be eligible for a funded specialist support coordination through your NDIS plan. Barriers that can prevent you from living your best life can include living at home with parents or guardians who also have a disability, suffering from a mental health illness, or being in supported independent living NDIS. Whatever it may be, the team at Disability Plan Services have the expertise to help make the most of your plan. 

If you have already been granted funding from the NDIS for this type of support, you will be able to work with one of our specialist support coordinators. Compared to other support coordinators, NDIS support coordinator qualifications are more extensive, so you can feel confident knowing you or your child will always be in safe hands. 

Whether you have received funding for specialist support coordination or not, this blog will provide you with more details about what it is and how it can help you or your child. 

What is the difference between support coordination and specialist support coordination? 

Specialist support coordination is one of the three levels of support coordination that is designed to help connect you with service providers and manage ongoing provider relationships. Whether you receive funding for support coordination or specialist support coordination depends on your level of care needs. 

The three levels of support coordination are: 

• Support connection. A short-term type of support coordination that is designed to help connect you with service providers, ensuring you get the most out of your plan to pursue your goals. 
• Support coordination. Also referred to as coordination of supports, this support helps you to build the skills you need to understand, implement and use your plan. A support coordinator will work closely with you to ensure you have a range of supports to increase your capacity to manage service delivery tasks and maintain relationships.
• Specialist support coordination. Designed for people with complex needs or difficult circumstances, this specialist type of support coordination assists participants that have barriers to accessing supports. 

Read more about support coordination options in our blog. 

NDIS support coordinator qualifications 

NDIS support coordination qualifications are more extensive than other support coordinators and ensure you or your child receive a high level of care to   assist with difficult or complex circumstances. A specialist support coordinator will be a qualified and experienced health practitioner such as an Occupational Therapist, Psychiatrist or Social Worker, so you can rest assured knowing you or your child are in safe hands. 

Whether you have challenges that are preventing you from accessing support or additional complex needs, specialised support coordinators can help address a range of barriers. Specialist support coordinators help by building capacity and resilience for when stress levels rise and communication breaks down, and know how to respond in crisis situations. The main role of a specialist support coordinator is to facilitate access to required supports to help you live a normal and fulfilling life.

How our complex case management program can help you 

At Disability Plan Services, we offer a complex case management program to make life easier for you or your child. If you have a barrier that is preventing you from achieving your goals,  you can access our complex case management program. For example, if multiple family members in your household are living with disabilities, it may cause barriers to accessing your supports. A Disability Plan Services’ specialist support coordinator will work with you and your family by addressing the complex barriers which are impacting your plan and help you to reduce the complexities in your environment. 

If you have a disability that affects your ability to reach us, or are living in supported independent living NDIS, our team can come to you! Alternatively, if you are experiencing an unfortunate crisis, our team can act quickly to connect you with the specialist support you need. 

At Disability Plan Services, our experienced team of specialist support coordinators take the time to know you and understand your barriers. This expertise ensures we can connect you with the best possible disability support services to reach your goals.

It’s important to remember that you are not alone on this journey. The team at Disability Plan Services has helped hundreds of individuals, all with unique challenges and goals, like Kate. 

Want to know more about specialist support coordination and our complex case management? Get in touch with our friendly team by calling 1800 312 870 or email info@disabilityplanservices.com.au.