If you’re wondering how to be a good support coordinator, keep on reading. Navigating the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can be a challenging and overwhelming experience for both NDIS support coordinators and the participants they assist. As an NDIS support coordinator, you will play a vital role in empowering individuals to achieve their goals, fulfil their dreams, and maximise their potential —which is both a fulfilling and enjoyable career path.
Whether you're just starting out in the field or looking for ways to enhance your support coordination abilities, we've got you covered. Let's embark on this journey together, as we explore ways to help you become a compassionate NDIS support coordinator who exceeds expectations.
What does a support coordinator do?
As an NDIS support coordinator, your main goal is to ensure that participants with disability receive the necessary support and services to achieve their goals. Here are some key responsibilities and principles that define your role:
- Connecting participants with service providers: Your main task is to connect individuals with disability to suitable service providers. You assist them in understanding their NDIS plan and ensure they have access to the support they need.
- Coordinating services and support: You coordinate and arrange the services and supports identified in the NDIS plan. This involves working closely with participants, their families, and a wide range of service providers to ensure effective implementation and coordination of services.
- Managing NDIS plans: You guide individuals on how to effectively manage their NDIS plan. This includes helping them track their progress, reviewing their goals, and making any necessary adjustments to support their changing needs.
- Identifying service gaps and resolving issues: You proactively identify any gaps in services and support and seek solutions to address them. Additionally, you promptly address any concerns or issues that may affect the quality and safety of the services provided.
- Safeguarding individuals: You have a critical role in safeguarding the rights and well-being of individuals with disability. This includes preventing and responding to any form of violence, exploitation, neglect, and abuse in accordance with relevant regulations and laws.
As an NDIS support coordinator, your work is crucial in helping participants lead fulfilling and empowered lives. Your dedication to connecting participants with the best support providers, coordinating services, and safeguarding their rights is essential for their wellbeing and success.
How to be a good support coordinator
When it comes to being a good support coordinator, there are several key qualities and skills that can elevate you to become an exceptional support leader for NDIS participants. Whether you’re an experienced support coordinator or looking to become one, working on these key areas can help you excel in your role and make a positive impact on the lives of NDIS participants.
Knowledgeable and up-to-date
We know that the NDIS is a complex scheme and that participants rely on support coordinators who have a comprehensive understanding of its workings. To be a great support coordinator, it’s crucial to stay up to date with the latest NDIS developments. This enables you to provide accurate information and guidance to participants, ensuring they can make informed decisions about their support options.
Well-connected and resourceful
As a support coordinator, one of your primary responsibilities is connecting participants with high-quality NDIS providers in their local area. Going above and beyond means actively building a network of trusted providers and being resourceful in finding the best matches for each participant's unique needs. This involves negotiating favourable deals and ensuring participants receive the support that best aligns with their goals and aspirations.
Empathetic and caring
This one might sound obvious, but it’s a skill that we can all continuously work on. Participants and their families seek support coordinators who genuinely care about their needs and are driven to find and connect them with the best possible support. Being empathetic in your approach fosters trust and establishes a strong connection with participants. Always prioritise their best interests, actively listen to their concerns, and work collaboratively to create an individualised plan that supports their aspirations.
Organised and efficient
Effective time management is essential for your role as a support coordinator with multiple participants under your care. Being organised allows you to handle the demands of your role efficiently, ensuring that each participant receives the attention and support they deserve. Managing your time and resources effectively also maximises your productivity, enabling you to provide the best possible support to participants.
Strong communication skills
Clear and timely communication is vital for all support coordinators. Participants rely on you to keep them informed of progress, updates, and any changes that may affect their support plan. Additionally, writing detailed reports to the NDIA is a crucial component of your responsibilities. Being a good communicator facilitates strong relationships and effective collaboration, ensuring participants are well informed and involved in decision-making processes.
Reliable and available
Life can be unpredictable, and support coordinators must be ready to assist participants in times of crisis or unexpected events. This means being reachable and responsive, ready to provide guidance and reassurance when needed. Your reliability helps participants feel supported even in challenging situations, fostering a sense of trust and dependability.
Innovative and empowering
An exceptional support coordinator thinks outside of the box when seeking the best support solutions. Embracing innovation allows you to explore unconventional avenues and find creative ways to empower participants to live more independently. This can involve identifying new technologies, services, or strategies that enhance participants’ quality of life and help them achieve their goals.
By embodying these qualities and actions, you can become an outstanding NDIS support coordinator, making a meaningful difference in the lives of participants and their families. Continually strive to enhance your skills, expand your knowledge, and cultivate authentic connections with those you support. Remember, as a support coordinator, you have the power to positively impact many lives!
What qualifications can improve my skills as an NDIS support coordinator?
While it’s possible to work as a support coordinator without any formal qualifications, becoming qualified comes with a multitude of advantages. These include increased rates of pay, increased opportunity, ongoing job security, and, of course, improving your professional skills.
Employers generally prefer candidates who have qualifications in allied health, disability, mental health or social work.
Additionally, there are specific checks you’ll need to complete. These include a Working with Children Check, Police Check, and NDIS Worker Screening Check. You may also need a driver licence.
These qualifications not only provide you with the necessary knowledge to support NDIS participants effectively, but they also provide you with a wealth of skills that can elevate your abilities. They’re also the first step in becoming a Specialist Support Coordinator.
What is a specialist support coordinator?
If you’re aiming to work with more complex NDIS participant needs, you might be interested in becoming a specialist support coordinator. This role comes with additional responsibilities that you’d normally do as a support coordinator, and it can be incredibly fulfilling to go that step further with participants who need it.
Specialist support coordinators work to overcome complex areas that negatively affect NDIS participants. These can include barriers that limit a participant’s ability to access appropriate supports, and difficulties in acquiring a targeted and specific service plan.
As a specialist support coordinator, you’ll work with participants and their networks to understand these complex barriers, create innovative and effective solutions to overcome them, and assist in implementing solutions.
You’ll also create service plans for these more complex needs, which involve:
- Comprehensive outlines of the various roles and responsibilities in a participant’s network.
- Problem-solving methods for everyone in that network to easily follow.
- Action plans and service contacts for the event of a crisis.
The benefits of becoming a great NDIS support coordinator
Becoming an NDIS support coordinator gives you the opportunity to gain valuable and rewarding experience in supporting people with disability and their families. By taking on this role, you'll develop a comprehensive understanding of the NDIS ecosystem and provide effective coordination for clients.
One of the best perks of becoming an NDIS support coordinator is the job security it provides. As the NDIS continues to expand across Australia, the demand for qualified support coordinators will continue to grow. Additionally, you can expect competitive pay that matches your qualifications, skills, and expertise. This means your hard work and dedication will be compensated accordingly.
Finally, you can enjoy a range of workplace settings that suit your preference, including office-based, remote, and community-based roles.
How can Like Family help support coordinators?
If you are a support coordinator, Like Family can help you find and connect with reliable, NDIS-verified support workers for your participants.
Our dedicated account management team can move fast to find high-quality social support for your clients, reducing your participants' support worker turnover.
All our NDIS support workers undergo a comprehensive vetting process, including an NDIS Worker Check and group induction. They can assist with a range of activities, from meal preparation to transportation to a buddy for social events.
Get in touch today to learn how the Like Family platform can work for you.