Frequently Asked Questions

The NDIS, national disability insurance scheme, provides funding to eligible people with disability to gain more time with family and friends, greater independence, access to new skills, jobs, or volunteering in their community, and an improved quality of life.

The NDIS also connects anyone with disability to services in their community.

This includes connections to doctors, community groups, sporting clubs, support groups, libraries and schools, as well as providing information about what support is provided by each state and territory government.

The NDIS now supports over 500,000 Australians with disability to access the services and supports they need.
This includes supporting approximately 80,000 children with developmental delay, ensuring they receive supports early so that they achieve the best outcomes throughout their lives. 

The NDIS can help you in several ways, such as giving you access to funding for services and equipment that you may need to manage your disability, improving your quality of life.

In this way you will become more independent having access to support workers or assistive technologies to help you with daily tasks. 

NDIS will provide you with support plans tailored to your individual needs and goals, ensuring you will receive the specific support you need.

To access the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) you must meet certain eligibility criteria. 

The NDIS is available to individuals who have a disability that is likely to be lifelong and substantially affects your ability to perform everyday tasks that are under 65 years old, if you are over this age another type of supports may be available for you such as age care services and others. You also need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident or be on a protective type visa holder. 

If you meet these eligibility criteria, you can apply to access the NDIS. You will need to complete an application form and provide evidence of your disability and the impact it has on your daily life. Once your eligibility has been confirmed, you will work with an NDIS representative to develop your plan.

A NDIS service agreement is a written document that outlines the specific details of the services that a person with a disability will receive from a service provider through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The NDIS service agreement is a legally binding contract between the service provider and the participant, and it sets out the terms and conditions of the services to be provided, as well as the responsibilities of both parties.
The agreement typically includes information about the types of services to be provided, the frequency and duration of the services, the cost of the services, and any other relevant details. It also outlines the rights and responsibilities of the participant and the service provider, as well as the process for resolving any dispute that may arise.

NDIS participants and service providers are required to have a service agreement in place before services can be provided, and the agreement must be review and updated regularly to ensure it continues to meet the needs of the participant.

A support coordinator is a professional who helps people with disabilities or chronic illnesses to access the services and support they need to lead a fulfilling life. 

The primary responsibility of a support coordinator is to connect clients with the appropriate resources and services that can assist them in achieving their goals and improving their quality of life. 

The specific duties of a support coordinator may vary depending on the needs of their participants and the organizations they work for, but typically includes assessing the participant’s needs and developing a service plan that outlines their goals and objectives; referring participants to appropriate service providers and coordinating their care across the different agencies and organizations; another important role of the support coordinator is to advocate for participant’s rights and ensuring that they receive the services they are entitle to, also a support coordinator will monitor the participant’s progress and adjusting their service plan as necessary to ensure they are making progress towards their goals.

A support coordinator will also provide information and guidance on a regular basis to participants and their families about available resources, benefits and services.

Both Support Coordinators and Specialist Support Coordinators are roles within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) design to help people with a disability navigate the scheme and access the support they need.

However, there are some key differences between the two roles.

A Support Coordinator is responsible for helping an NDIS participant to implement their NDIS plan and coordinate the services and supports outlined in the plan. This may include helping the participant to choose and engage service providers, manage their budget, and access community resources. A Support Coordinator can be either a registered or non-registered provider and is required to have at least a Certificate IV in Disability or equivalent.

A Specialist Support Coordinator, on the other hand, is responsible for providing a more intensive level of support to NDIS participants with complex needs. This may include coordinating multiple services and supports, addressing crisis situations, or working with participants who have a high level of need for specialist services or equipment. Specialist Support Coordinators are required to have a relevant qualification, such a degree in a related field, and must have experience in providing specialist disability support.

In summary, while both Support Coordinator and Specialist Support Coordinators provide assistance with navigating the NDIS and accessing support, Specialist Support Coordinators are specifically trained to provide a higher level of support to participants with complex needs.

As we have seen, a support coordinator plays a crucial role in helping individuals with disabilities and chronic illnesses and their families to navigate the complex world of social services and support programs, helping them to access the resources they need to live independently and to achieve their goals. 

At Blooming Supports we understand this and how overwhelming it gets not only to deal with a disability, but also find your way through a system that it is good, it works but it is also quite complex; we have been there we have lived desperation and frustration watching a love one going through really hard times, we know and we understand what you are going through, and is based on this understanding, personal experiences and our knowledge that we will put together the most suitable and appropriated programs to help you accessing all the support you need, putting at your dispose years of experience so you can focus on living independently and achieving your goals; at Blooming not only we get you, we got you.