These two supports sound similar, but they are not the same. If you are trying to understand which one may fit your situation, start by looking at Support Coordination and how it compares with the specialist level.
Standard Support Coordination helps you understand and use your plan, connect with providers and build confidence in managing supports. The NDIS says it is there to help participants use a mix of supports to pursue goals and manage service delivery tasks.
What Specialist Support Coordination adds
Specialist Support Coordination is a higher level of support for people with more complex situations. The NDIS says specialist support coordinators help address complex barriers, and where needed they can design a service plan for complex support needs so services can work together more effectively.
This can be important when there are multiple service systems involved, significant risk, crisis situations or barriers that make it hard to access or keep the right supports in place.
Who each service may suit
Support Coordination may suit participants who need help implementing a plan and building confidence.
Specialist Support Coordination may suit participants whose lives involve more complex barriers, risks or competing systems such as health, housing, mental health, justice or crisis responses. Taylor Made Outcomes’ current service page also positions this support around complex and competing needs in Wollongong and the Illawarra.
Questions to ask when choosing support
Ask:
- Do I mostly need help getting started and staying organised?
- Or do I have bigger risks, barriers or crisis issues affecting multiple areas of life?
The clearer this is, the easier it is to choose the right support level.
For help working out what support fits your situation, contact Taylor Made Outcomes.
Official NDIS source: Specialist support coordination
