For NDIS participants, navigating the roles of support coordination and plan management can be confusing. While both services provide essential support, they serve distinct purposes in helping participants reach their goals. This guide explores the differences between NDIS support coordination and
NDIS Plan Management, helping you understand which service is best suited for your needs.
What Is NDIS Support Coordination?
NDIS support coordination is a service designed to help participants understand and use their NDIS plan effectively. Support coordinators assist with locating and connecting participants to the right providers, building capacity, and creating strategies to manage challenges. Their focus is on enabling participants to understand the NDIS and access the supports necessary to achieve their goals.
Primary Responsibilities of a Support Coordinator:
Helping participants understand their NDIS plan and funding categories
Connecting participants to appropriate service providers
Building participant capacity to manage their own supports over time
Supporting participants through plan reviews and any necessary changes
What Is NDIS Plan Management?
NDIS plan management, on the other hand, focuses primarily on the financial and administrative aspects of a participant’s plan. A plan manager handles invoicing, tracks spending, and provides financial reports, allowing participants to use both NDIS-registered and non-registered providers. Unlike support coordination, plan management is more focused on handling financial tasks than building capacity or sourcing services.
Primary Responsibilities of a Plan Manager:
Processing and paying provider invoices on behalf of participants
Tracking and managing the participant’s NDIS budget
Providing regular financial reports and budget updates
Offering financial advice to help participants make the most of their funds
Key Differences Between Support Coordination and Plan Management
While both services aim to support participants, they differ in the following ways:
Role Focus
Support coordination focuses on connecting participants with the right services, building capacity, and navigating the NDIS system.
Plan management is primarily concerned with financial tasks like managing invoices and providing budget tracking.
Skill-Building vs. Financial Management
Support coordination includes an element of skill-building, helping participants become more independent over time.
Plan management focuses solely on financial administration, without the capacity-building aspect.
Provider Access
Support coordinators help participants connect with providers based on their needs and can help participants understand which services might be beneficial.
Plan managers facilitate access to both registered and non-registered providers, giving participants greater flexibility in provider choice.
Budget Management
Support coordinators assist participants in understanding their plan budgets but do not handle the financial tracking directly.
Plan managers actively manage and track the budget, providing participants with insights on spending and available funds.
Guidance Through Reviews vs. Financial Reports
Support coordinators play an active role in preparing participants for
NDIS Plan Management, helping to document progress, adjust goals, and advocate for necessary changes.
Plan managers may assist with financial reports during plan reviews but are not typically involved in adjusting goals or advocating for changes.
When Should You Choose Support Coordination?
Support coordination is especially beneficial for participants who:
Are new to the NDIS and need guidance understanding their plan
Require support connecting with the right providers
Want to build skills to manage their own supports over time
Need assistance navigating complex needs or challenges
Support coordination provides a hands-on approach to achieving greater independence, and it’s particularly helpful for participants who wish to develop long-term skills for managing their supports.
When Should You Choose Plan Management?
Plan management is ideal for participants who:
Want assistance with handling the financial administration of their plan
Prefer to have both registered and non-registered provider options
Do not want the responsibility of tracking and paying invoices themselves
Need regular financial reporting and budget insights
Plan management is a practical choice for participants who are comfortable with their support network but want professional support managing the financial aspects of their NDIS plan.
Can You Use Both Support Coordination and Plan Management?
Yes, many participants benefit from using both support coordination and plan management services. The combination allows participants to gain support with provider connections and capacity-building through support coordination while benefiting from streamlined financial management with plan management. For individuals with complex needs or limited time to manage finances, having both services can be especially advantageous.
How They Work Together
When both support coordination and plan management are in place, they create a balanced support system that addresses both logistical and financial needs. Support coordinators can identify areas of financial need, while plan managers ensure efficient fund allocation. This collaboration helps participants focus on their goals without feeling overwhelmed by the administrative demands of the NDIS.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the difference between support coordination and plan management allows participants to make an informed choice about the services they need. Support coordination focuses on building skills and connecting participants to supports, while plan
management handles the financial side of an NDIS plan. For those who want a comprehensive approach, using both services together offers the best of both worlds, enabling participants to focus on what matters most: achieving their personal and functional goals.
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