How to Prepare for Your Next NDIS plan review
When it comes to the NDIS, preparation is everything. To access the best possible support, it’s vital to prepare well for the initial plan meeting and each NDIS plan review. Without preparation, you could miss out on vital support that you and your family need.
Preparing for a plan review means thinking about the following:
● Goals - what do you want to be able to do with the right support?
● Supports - what help do you need to reach your goals?
● Reports - what proof can you provide to help the NDIS approve your request?
Goals
Setting goals is a key element of your NDIS plan and will be the primary focus of your plan review. Every support funded in your plan needs to directly relate to one of your goals. So, if you want to access short term accommodation, you’ll need to show how it will contribute to one of your goals (i.e. becoming more independent away from home).
To properly prepare for your review meeting, think about your goals and ask yourself the following questions:
● What were your goals in the previous plan?
● What progress did you make in reaching them?
● Did new goals emerge during the year?
● Are you transitioning to a new life stage with different goals?
This process will help you identify the goals that will suit you best so you are ready to discuss them at your next plan review meeting.
Supports
Once you have a better understanding of your goals, it’s time to think about the range of supports you’ll need to reach them. Look at the supports listed in your existing plan and review how they’ve helped you throughout the year. Do you need more or less help now? Did you find that one support helped you more than another?
If you want to set new or updated goals in your next plan, think about the new supports you might need. If you are moving from school to employment, you may need extra help to make the transition. If you are looking at your accommodation options, such as supported independent living, you may need to have an assessment undertaken of your needs.
It’s always a good idea to know the types of supports you think you’ll need before heading into your next NDIS plan review, so you are fully prepared.
Reports
Your support coordinator, planner or LAC will ask you to provide reports from your service providers and specialists as evidence for your NDIS plan review. These reports help the NDIS understand your needs and assist them to decide on your funded supports.
Start talking to your providers around three months out from the end of your plan about your report requirements. Discuss your goals for the upcoming year and ask them to include recommendations for any new supports you might need, including day support. That way you won’t be caught short and you’ll be fully prepared for your NDIS plan review.
Taking a little time to think about your goals, supports and report requirements is the best way to prepare for your next NDIS plan review. It means there will be less back and forth between you and the NDIS (because you will already have all the info they need) and should help you secure the supports you need to live your best life.
Committed to enhancing the lives of our guests and their families, we’d love to show you disability done differently. If you’d like to learn more about our quality NDIS services, contact us via email or give us a call on 1300 LAVENDER.
