Support Coordination

Bridges offers Support Coordination for NDIS funded individuals.

While we primarily specialise in people with psychosocial disabilities/mental illness our support coordinators also have experience working alongside people with other disabilities such as autism and physical disabilities.

What is support coordination?
Support coordination helps you to make the best use of your supports in plan.

A support coordinator or specialist support coordinator delivers support coordination services.

Support coordination is a capacity building support which helps you to:
• Understand and use you NDIS plan to pursue your goals
• Connect you with NDIS providers, community, mainstream and other government services
• Build your confidence and skills to use and coordinate your supports.

There are three levels of support coordination that can be included in your plan:

NDIS Support Coordination Level 1: focuses on foundational, low-complexity support, often assisting with initial stages of the NDIS journey.
NDIS Support Coordination Level 2: handles moderate complexity, with an emphasis on supporting participants to implement and manage their plans effectively.
NDIS Support Coordination Level 3: requires advanced skills to manage complex cases with multiple service providers and strategies for long-term support.

Level 1 Support Coordinators are often involved with participants who are at the beginning of their NDIS journey or who have lower complexity needs. Their role focuses on basic assistance and providing foundational support. Key responsibilities include:

Providing general information and advice: Assisting participants with understanding the NDIS process, their plans, and their entitlements.
Linking to mainstream services: Helping participants connect to basic mainstream services (such as healthcare and housing) and community supports.
Assisting with plan implementation: Ensuring participants understand how to use their NDIS funds and how to find service providers.
Building participant capacity: Aiding in the development of basic skills to manage their NDIS plan, focusing on simple tasks and supports.
Monitoring progress: Checking in with participants to ensure services are being delivered as per their plan and assisting with minor adjustments if necessary.

Level 2 Support Coordinators have a slightly more advanced role compared to Level 1, and they assist participants with a higher level of complexity. They focus on ensuring that the participant’s NDIS plan is fully implemented. Key responsibilities include:

Linking participants to appropriate service providers: Ensuring access to services and supports based on the participant’s plan.
Assisting with plan implementation: Supporting participants in understanding their NDIS plan and how to use it effectively.
Building participant capacity: Helping participants develop the skills to manage their NDIS plan independently in the future.
Monitoring and reporting: Tracking participant progress and communicating with the NDIS to ensure that services and supports are meeting the individual’s needs.
Crisis management: In some cases, providing support in urgent or complex situations to help participants continue to receive appropriate services.

Level 3 Support Coordinators handle more complex and high-need cases, often involving participants with multiple or severe disabilities. They require advanced skills and experience to manage such cases effectively. Key responsibilities include:

Managing high-complexity cases: Working with participants who have more complex needs, such as those with multiple disabilities, severe mental health conditions, or challenging behaviours.
Collaboration with multiple service providers: Ensuring effective coordination across several services and supports for participants with intricate needs.
Strategic planning: Assisting participants in long-term planning and working with families and other professionals to ensure ongoing support.
Crisis management at a higher level: Handling emergencies and complex issues with a focus on stabilizing the participant’s situation and securing adequate services.
Capacity building for independent management: Similar to Level 2 but with an enhanced focus on empowering participants with more advanced skills to manage their plans independently in future.

You may also wish to focus on a specific goal in your NDIS plan, such as those related to finding suitable home and living supports. You can use your support coordination funding to work with a support coordinator who has the skills, knowledge and experience to meet your specific needs.

For more information go the NDIS link listed below
https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/using-your-plan/who-can-help-start-your-plan/support-coordination/what-your-support-coordinator-should-do

How to be referred to Bridges NDIS services:
• You, as an NDIS participant or your nominee
• You, as a person who chooses to self-fund
• The NDIA and Local Area Coordinator can request that Bridges provides the service, with your consent

NDIS referral form download here.

How to pay for your Bridges NDIS services

With an approved plan, the NDIS can fund these services for you.

Our locations for Bridges NDIS Services:

Bundaberg Region: Bundaberg, Childers, Gin Gin
Burnett Region: Gayndah, with outreach to North and South Burnett
Fraser Coast Region: Maryborough, Hervey Bay
Central Queensland Region: Rockhampton

Curious to know more?

Funding acknowledgement:

Bridges NDIS Services receives funds from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)