Step 1 – Leave Time to Get Prepared
If you are coming to the end of your plan period?
Leave time to step back and assess what you need for your next plan and to make the necessary steps towards ensuring that you get it.
Step 2 – Build Your Knowledge
The NDIS has developed a range of tools and factsheets to assist you in thinking about what you would like in your next plan, such as Planning Conversation Tool, FAQ’s and Fact Sheets.
Make sure you have access to an advocate or provider who can think along with you, think outside the box, wiling to research into your situation and knows all the supports available.
Step 3 – Your Progress Report & Assessments Should Reflect Your Situation
Goal Progress Reports - Providers you have worked with are required to complete a Service Review document. Make sure it highlights factors that may have limited progress towards a goal if necessary, for example, lack of funding, illness or a major change in circumstances.
Assessments - If you have engaged in any form of therapy or any assessments it is important to obtain copies. These reports assist in showing the planners evidence of what is needed for your next plan.
Step 4 – Are Your Goals Changed?
Setting goals to increase your skills and independence to engage in the community is a focus of the NDIS – this can be to live independently, to do all the social things you wish to do, or to explore or engage in in-community employment options.
Have a think about your goals in both the short and long-term. Knowing what you would like to work towards will help you to think about the supports and services you may need.
Be realistic, but also challenge yourself on what you can achieve!
Step 5 – Any Unspent Funds?
If you have any unspent funding in your plan, this does not roll over to the next plan. The new funding will replace the existing funding.
Be sure to have clear the reasons any funding was not used.
Step 6 – Are You Experiencing Major Life Changes?
These could include starting or finishing school, moving from primary to secondary school, transitioning into work/secondary education, predicted decline in health or undergoing surgery, or you want to live independently/need assistance with accommodation.
These kind of major life events can affect your needs and levels of support required during the life of the plan.
Step 7 – Make a Decision if You Feel You Need Coordination
Support Coordination is a capacity building support to implement all supports in a participant’s plan. The need for Support Coordination is expected to reduce as the capacity of the participant increases, but the NDIS may fund if you find it a challenge to negotiate the NDIS processes, or to find and negotiate with providers, have lots going on in your life and need some assistance.
Step 8 – Make a Decision on How You Want to Continue Managing Your Plan
You have several options – What has worked well for you? Now is the time to change!
NDIA Management
Self-Management
Registered Plan Manager
Any Combination of Above
Step 9 – NDIS Plan Reviews – Make it Team Work. Make it Fun!
It is good to discuss and share ideas with your family, friends, advocates, service providers, as well as the NDIS LAC – but so only what is right for you.
As stated earlier, make sure you have access to an advocate or provider who can think along with you, think outside the box, wiling to research into your situation and knows all the supports available.
If you have any questions, or need assistance, we are happy to assist - you can contact My Supports via our website.
