As parents, one of our biggest goals is to help build our child’s confidence so that they can go out into the world with the skills to make new friends, build relationships, engage at school and even get a job. When supporting a child with a disability we know this can often be a challenge if we don’t have the right supports in place.
It’s really important to know how you can use your child’s NDIS funding to work towards these skills, and we have put together this resource to help you understand:
- Self & Personal care – getting ready for school/work, brushing teeth , showering and grooming or preparing meals
- Accessing the community – getting out of the house, learning about public transport and safety, meeting new people and trying new things
- Respite – getting out of the house without needing parental assistance, having a break for both the child and the main carer
- Mobility – moving around comfortably on their own or with the use of assistive technology, and accessing public places
- Transitional periods – getting a job, exploring suitable options for study and work after school, building skills and confidence for transitioning to study or employment
- Therapies – Occupational therapy, Physiotherapy, Early Childhood Educators/supports, to name a few
- Support workers & mentors – They can provide assistance in using and building skills day to day at home and out in the community
- At home nursing support – Available for higher complex needs
- Respite options – up to 28 days per year (14 days at a time), if listed and funding is included in your plan
- Social skills groups – such as in person or online courses, groups, classes & camps
- Employment supports – School Lever Employment Supports (SLES), Mentoring & skill development, Employment counselling
- Parent & Carer training – training to support parents in building and facilitating their child’s independence
- Assistive technology items – low-cost items related to mobility, personal care & safety, communication or cognitive support, hearing and vision related items
- Assistance With Daily Activities (CORE)
- 01_002_0107_1_1 – 01_405_0104_1_1 – Assistance With Self-Care Activities – (standard to high intensity)
- 01_045_0115_1_1 – 01_065_0115_1_1 – Short Term Accomodation And Assistance (Inc. Respite 1:1 – 1:4)
- Consumables (CORE)
- 03_040000919_0103_1_1 – 03_222100911_0124_1_1 – Low-cost AT items for Personal Care & Safety, Communication or Cognitive Support, Hearing related AT, Vision Related AT, Personal Mobility, Prosthetics and Orthotics or Disability-Related Health Consumables
- Assistance with Social, Community & Civic Participation (CORE)
- 04_104_0125_6_1 – 04_404_0104_1_1_T – Access Community Social and Rec Activ (standard to high intensity)
- 04_102_0136_6_1 – 04_604_0104_6_1 – Group Activities (standard to high intensity)
- 04_111_0136_6_1 – 04_184_0136_6_1 – Group Activities in the community or a centre (Standard – 1:1 – 1:5)
- 04_116_0104_6_1 – 04_209_0104_6_1 – Group Activities in the community or a centre (High Intesity – 1:1 – 1:5)
- 04_210_0125_6_1 – Community Social and Recreational Activities
- Increased Social & Community Participation (CAPACITY BUILDING)
- 09_006_0106_6_3 – Life Transition Planning Incl. Mentoring PeerSupport And Indiv Skill Develop
- 09_009_0117_6_3 – Skill Development and Training
- 09_008_0116_6_3 – Innovative Community Participation
- 09_011_0125_6_3 – Community Participation Activities
- Improved Daily Living (CAPACITY BUILDING)
- 15_035_0106_1_3 – Assistance With Decision Making Daily Planning and Budgeting
- 15_037_0117_1_3 – Skill Development And Training including Public Transport Training
- 15_038_0117_1_3 – Training For Carers/Parents
- 15_045_0128_1_3 – Community Engagement Assistance
- 15_046_0129_1_3 – Specialised Driver Training
- Finding & Keeping a Job (CAPACITY BUILDING)
- 10_011_0128_5_3 – Employment Related Assessment And Counselling
- 10_016_0102_5_3 – Employment Support
- 10_021_0102_5_3 – School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES)
- Improved Learning (CAPACITY BUILDING)
- 13_030_0102_4_3 – Transition Through School And To Further Education
To find out more about the specific NDIS rates that providers can charge you for each of these supports, simply search the line items/codes using our easy NDIS price guide
What are some keywords you can use to relate your goals to building independence?
- Capacity building
- Choice & Control
- Building confidence
- Social engagement & skill development
- Increased social and community participation
Let’s look at some of the outcomes that may want your child to achieve by building their independence:
- Getting ready on their own for school, work or daily life
- Getting out of the house, or into the community on their own (when they are at an appropriate age to do so)
- Being able to rely on other people for support (when they are at an appropriate age to do so)
- Meeting new people & making friends
- Trying new hobbies & learning new things
- Moving around confidently and comfortable at home or in public, with less or alternative assistance where available
- Building confidence and making their own decisions
- Making appropriate decisions at their life stage with skills appropriate for them – such as deciding what to study, getting a job, learning life skills or being comfortable at school
How might these goals look in my plan?
You can link the keywords/skills and outcomes shown above to create a goal:
- I’d like my child to learn how to communicate better so they can… (make new friends, build confidence)
- I’d like my child to find a job or build skills to explore appropriate employment options
- I’d like my child to move around the house and go out into the community on their own, without relying solely on me
- I’d like my child to learn age appropriate skills so that they can be more independent
For more tips and resources on writing GREAT NDIS GOALS – Go to our handy resource: Setting NDIS goals for your planning meeting
- Wait until your plan review and discuss this goal and funding at that stage
- Request an EARLIER plan review with your LAC/NDIS representative. You will need gather reports from your current therapists and explain why this additional funding is required or if there has been a change in circumstance
Who do I contact to discuss this funding?
It is best to call your NDIS representative or LAC to discuss your options if you wish to have additional funding included specifically for these supports. In most cases, you may be required to submit additional supporting evidence, or justification as to why your current funding is insufficient or doesn’t meet your goals.
