14/12/2023
The Future of Support Coordination, Recovery Coaching & Plan Management
What is a navigator?
Navigator is a new term the NDIS is introducing.
Navigator's will support people with disability under the age of 65 who are not eligible for the NDIS, as well as NDIS participants and their families. The navigator will work for participants. They will not be a NDIA employee.
Different navigator recommendations:
General navigator – Give information and aid in accessing mainstream, foundational, and NDIS services. They assist individuals in decision-making, using their budget and plan effectively, coordinate support, and conduct regular check-ins.
Specialist navigator – Specialist navigators cater to NDIS participants with complex support needs, higher support needs or intricate circumstances. They assist those frequently engaging with multiple service systems, such as hospitals or the child protection system, providing tailored support.
Psychosocial recovery navigator –
A navigator specializing in psychosocial disability supports those with higher needs, possessing mental health expertise to increase capacity.
Housing and living navigator –
The housing and living navigator assist NDIS participants with housing and living budgets.
Other specialist supports:
Shared support facilitator –
Facilitators for shared housing and living supports ensure that all involved individuals can contribute. Crucially, they remain independent of support providers and property managers, empowering people to actively influence their living arrangements.
Lead practitioner –
Lead practitioners support children and families, accessible to NDIS participants and those with increased support needs. For NDIS participants, they coordinate funded services to establish a supportive team.
How is a navigator different from a support coordinator?
Currently, NDIS support coordinators vary in quality and accessibility. Unlike support coordinators, navigators have separate funding, offering flexibility. Specialized navigators address psychosocial disabilities, complex needs, and housing budgets.
Can I choose what happens to my current support coordinator?
Yes, the Review suggests collaboration with individuals with disabilities, families, and their representatives to design and test changes effectively.
I am a support coordinator – will I no longer have a job?
The Review expects that many of the functions of Local Area Coordinators, Support Coordinators and Plan Managers will be included in the new navigation role. This means there will be new opportunities for support coordinators and those in other roles to become navigators.
It'll be interesting to see what happens as the recommendations may not all be implemented but if it is, I wonder how it will work within a company framework. This may result in a more sustainable outcome for those of us who will transition. Also, it may not take 5 years but it also won't be immediate. Quite a few changes coming due to the review.
