Managing Your ndis Plan

Your ndis plan should offer you more choice and flexibility with your supports than was previously possible. National Disability Insurance Scheme plans are now based on the goals nominated by participants and their families.  Participants should now have a greater say in the activities they want to undertake and who they want to support them.  If this isn't happening for you and your family then you need to have a chat with your LAC or service provider.  It's always good to revisit goals and activities from time to time to ensure your goals are being met.

Your service provider or LAC should do this each time your plan is reviewed, because life changes.  This is called a service agreement. A service agreement should state the supports you will access and how may hours you will access for each service. A quote should be attached to the service agreement.  Ndis plans and thus service agreements should be directed by the participant and what they want to do, not a service provider.  If a support service can not offer you what you want, then you should look elsewhere.  If you are a school leaver then you should be talking to a number of providers.

The Ipswich Fresh Futures Market

at the Ipswich Show Grounds 

Tomorrow 9am to 1 pm

Is the perfect opportunity to take a fresh look at what is available in the Ipswich Region.  However, there may be options you've not previously considered before.  If you are self-managing your plan you do not need to use a ndis provider and you can choose to self-direct your own support team.  The best way to manage your ndis plan is YOUR WAY.

When it comes to the administration of your plan (setting a budget and paying invoices) there are many different ways to do this.  The three main ways are:

• The ndis can take care of all this on your behalf.
• Use a host funds provider
• Self manage your plan

Regardless of who is managing you plan, you have control and you can chose who you want to provide your services.  Not the ndis and not your funds host.  There is a price guide for services available through your LAC.  You have the right to price check before signing a service agreement.  When setting up your supports do not give services control, for too long people with disabilities have gone without a voice and without choice.

If you elect to self-manage or partially self-manage then you have a few more options available to you.  You can chose to self-manage everything in your plan or you can self-manage parts of your plan. Your LAC can explain this, but you need to elect how to manage your funds at the time of writing your plan.  If you are self-managing you are not limited to a ndis service provider.  So you can find a cleaner with their own ABN if you need assistance with your housework.

If you or your child requires individual support at home or in the community and you are able to self-manage then you can employ your own support team or employ staff through an agency. 

After years of juggling multiple service providers and numerous support workers I wanted a central support roster.  The only way I could secure my select support hours was to engage my own workers.  As an artist it was important I have support at the times galleries needed my work delivered.  

Engaging my own team has reduced my stress levels my staff are committed to enabling me to achieve my ndis goals and artist's dream.  They pick me up when I want to quit and encourage me to rest when I am looking tired. 

However, if you intend to engage your own workers, be aware you have legal responsibility as an employer so you may want to get some advice in this area.  Regardless of how you choose to administrate you plan, the ndis will cover your costs. This is in a separate area of your plan than the core support you will need for your support services. 

As your first plan is reviewed it is a prefect time to ask for changes. Maybe things have not worked as well as you hoped; maybe you realised you can do more things for yourself than you realised or you simply want a change, you do not need to give a reason for the changes you want.  Your ndis plan is about you and for family. 

So take your time to equip yourself with the correct information; make a list of activities you want to engage in; and ask providers how the services can support you to do the things you want to do. Above all hold services accountable to delivering what they promised. So I might see you at Fresh Futures Market tomorrow.