6 Things Parents Should Learn about NDIS Planning

A little support can go a long way for parents of children with disabilities, and the support NDIS provides is massive. It opens a world of possibilities for parents and children. However, navigating this system can appear daunting at a glance. 

Hence, we created this brief guide to help parents prepare well for NDIS. After this guide, you will be able to sail through all the formalities smoothly and make the most out of NDIS. 

So, let’s dive into the topic!

1. Initial Preparation

Whether it’s school or NDIS, parents always check the criteria, eligibility, and other information about the target program. 

First, you must determine if your child qualifies for NDIS and then make an application. While you are at it, try to learn the basics before you apply rather than after getting into it. All this helps you understand the best way to proceed based on your child’s needs. 

It is also not a bad idea to plan a meeting with your LAC, Local Area Coordinator. If you have doubts, your LAC can clear them for you and guide you properly. This eases the whole process and the stress of dealing with it. 

You can also get help from other experts to prepare for what’s to come. The bottom line is that you can seek help from many sources; there’s no reason to feel alone or stressed. 

2. NDIS Planning

Your NDIS planning meeting will examine your kid’s needs and what is to include in their NDIS plan. That’s why this is a very crucial step of the whole process. Keeping the following points in mind will be helpful. 

• You must prepare all the necessary documents beforehand to help you during the planning process.
• You can also have a friend or a family member accompany you for moral support. 
• Feel free to take plenty of notes to refer back to later.
• You should clearly express your child’s goals and needs, as your NDIS plan will take shape based on these inputs. 
• Also, notify the authorities if you have any special requests, such as including plan management or support coordination.
• Ask a lot of questions. If you do not understand something, get clarifications at the beginning of the process itself. 

These little things will prove to be extremely helpful during NDIS meetings, so remember them well. 

3. Understand Your NDIS Plan

After the planning meeting, you will get your NDIS plan. If you find anything unusual or incorrect, you should immediately get it fixed. 

Check every detail in the plan to ensure everything is correct. Most importantly, verify if the funds have been allocated properly for your needs. If not, you can raise a question. You can ask your LAC to review the plan to confirm your doubts and concerns about the plan. 

4. Organise Your Supports 

After your NDIS plan is approved, it’s time to find the right NDIS providers in Penrith for your child’s needs and situation. This is incredibly important, so here are some tips to help you. 

• You can find service providers easily with the help of support coordination. If this has been included in your NDIS plan, contact a support coordinator to talk about it. 
• Be sure to do proper research online and meet service providers before deciding whom to hire. 
• Arrange service agreements with your NDIS provider in Penrith. These agreements are nothing but a contract with all the details about the services; for example, what services to provide, when to provide them, and at what cost. 

5. Finance Management

Your kid can begin getting their supports once you’ve chosen your service providers. Here are some considerations to bear in mind when you manage your budget and make sure their service providers are paid: 

• Plan management may assist you by handling the administrative load and much more so that you can implement your child’s plan. 
• Contact support coordinators to see how they may help if your plan includes plan management. 
• Maintain a log of all the assistance your kid receives. 
• Keep track of your spending to prevent overspending.

6. Your Plan Review

The last thing you should know about NDIS is the yearly plan review meetings. After experiencing your plan for the first year, you may notice some inconveniences or changed circumstances. For that reason, review meetings exist. 

Your NDIS plan will be reviewed annually to ensure it stays relevant to your child’s needs and situation. So, you may prepare a list of the services your child has received in advance. 

In addition, you should also make a note of anything you want to change, along with the reasons why.

Conclusion

This is how a parent can prepare for NDIS. It may seem overwhelming to know so much at once, but there are people to help you through it. Moreover, all this effort will be worth it later on when you receive the assistance. 

NDIS is a big part of your life if you have a child with a disability. Along this way, it is vital to have the right service providers to ensure maximum benefits. Research every potential provider and then make an informed decision. 

If you are looking for reliable NDIS service providers, you can take a look at My Link Assist. They offer a wide range of services, from community participation to school holiday programmes. Book a meeting with them if you discuss your concerns face to face. 

We hope you are better prepared for NDIS after reading this blog post. Do not hesitate to comment if you have any queries regarding NDIS.