Level 1: Support Connection

This support item assists a participant to implement their plan by strengthening their ability to connect with the broader systems of supports and to understand the purpose of the funded supports. Support Connection assists a participant to understand their NDIS plan, connect participants with broader systems of supports, and provide assistance to connect with providers. Support Connection will assist participants to achieve effective utilisation of their NDIS plan and answer questions as they arise.

Support Connection also increases a participant's capacity to maintain (or in some cases change) support relationships, resolve service delivery issues, and participate independently in NDIA processes. Support Connection includes, but is not limited to:

• Understand the Plan;
• Connect with Supports and Services;
• Establish Supports;
• Coach, Refine, Reflect; and
• Report to the NDIA

Level 2: Coordination of Supports

This support item strengthens a participant's ability to design and then build their supports with an emphasis on linking the broader systems of support across a complex service delivery environment. Coordination of Supports is to focus on supporting participants to direct their lives, not just their services, and is focussed on assisting participants to build and maintain a resilient network of formal and informal supports. This involves working together with the participant to understand the funding, identify what participants expect from services, and how participants want this designed. Coordination of Supports also includes coaching participants, and working with participants to develop capacity and resilience in their network.

Coordination of Supports includes, but is not limited to:

• Understand the Plan;
• Connect with Supports and Services;
• Design Support Approaches;
• Establish Supports;
• Coach, Refine, Reflect;
• Targeted Support Coordination;
• Crisis: Planning, Prevention, Mitigation and Action;
• Build Capacity and Resilience; and
• Report to the NDIA.

Level 3: Specialist Support Coordination

This support is delivered utilising an expert or specialist approach, necessitated by specific high complex needs or high level risks in a participant's situation. Specialist Support Coordination is delivered by an appropriately qualified and experienced practitioner to meet the individual needs of the participant's circumstances such as a Psychologist, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker, or Mental Health Nurse. Specialist Support Coordination is expected to address complex barriers impacting a participant's ability to implement their plan and access appropriate supports. Specialist Support Coordinators assist participants to reduce complexity in their support environment, and overcome barriers to connecting with broader systems of supports as well as funded supports.

Specialist Support Coordinators are expected to negotiate appropriate support solutions with multiple stakeholders and seek to achieve well-coordinated plan implementation. Specialist Support Coordinators will assist stakeholders with resolving points of crisis for participants, assist to ensure a consistent delivery of service and access to relevant supports during crisis situations.

Specialist Support Coordination is generally delivered through an intensive and time limited period necessitated by the participant's immediate and significant barriers to plan implementation. Depending on individual circumstances, a Specialist Support Coordinator may also design a complex service plan that focusses on how all the stakeholders in a participant's life will interact to resolve barriers and promote appropriate plan implementation. Once developed, a Specialist Support Coordinator will continue to monitor the plan, but it may be maintained by one of the participant's support workers or other care supports.

Coordination of Supports includes, but is not limited to:

• Understand the Plan;
• Connect with Supports and Services;
• Design Support Approaches;
• Establish Supports;
• Coach, Refine, Reflect;
• Targeted Support Coordination;
• Crisis: Planning, Prevention, Mitigation and Action;
• Address Complex Barriers;
• Design Complex Service Plan;
• Build Capacity and Resilience; and
• Report to the NDIA.

Psychosocial Recovery Coach

Psychosocial Recovery Coach is a specialized support service designed to address the unique needs of participants with complex psychosocial challenges. This service is delivered by experienced and qualified professionals who are dedicated to promoting the mental and emotional well-being of participants. It focuses on guiding individuals through the process of recovery, helping them build resilience, and enhancing their social and emotional functioning.

Psychosocial Recovery Coach includes, but is not limited to:

• Personalized Recovery Planning;
• Coach, Refine, Reflect;
• Mental Health and Emotional Well-being;
• Social Inclusion;
• Recovery-oriented Goal Setting;
• Psychosocial Support;
• Skills Development;
• Advocacy;
• Crisis Intervention; and
• Report to the NDIA.

As a disability support provider in Melbourne, Australia, Lifespan Healthcare Services is committed to helping participants with complex psychosocial challenges on their journey towards recovery and improved mental well-being. Our Psychosocial Recovery Coach service aims to reduce barriers to plan implementation and enhance participants' ability to connect with the broader support systems, thereby promoting their overall quality of life.