Where in the past you have largely lacked control in the decisions made about services and funding, you are now able to exercise choices and take full control if you want to.
The most proactive of your choices is when you self manage your NDIS plan and engage and implementation your plan with your chosen service providers and staff.
To give you ultimate choice, our services are available to NDIS participants as a menu or complete package. You can also purchase these services on a ‘fee for service’ basis if you are not an NDIS participant.
It’s entirely up to you to determine your needs and choose services to meet those needs. You can do this with a view to your immediate needs and your long-term aspirations.
Based on your funding package, you manage your own budget, control your spending and account for the use of your funds.
Importantly, you select the organisations and people who support you. If you are not satisfied, you can simply terminate the service. After all, it’s you who pays the organisation or staff.
Disadvantages
As said, taking the choice to manage your plan is like running a business.
So, all the matters that a business needs to attend to will be in your control.
You will be on your own as you negotiate with service providers. You will also need to advertise and recruiting individuals if you chose to self employ your workers.
Often you will need to organise and supervise the training of staff. You will also need to negotiate their wages and manage their timetables and attendance.
Like any business, you will need to manage their annual and sick leave and organise replacements as required. Similarly, you will be responsible for other Human Resource matters such as workplace health and safety and conflict resolution.
Like any business, you will find the task involved will be time intensive and leave you with less time to pursue other activities you enjoy.
Like any business, you will find the task involved will be time intensive and leave you with less time to pursue other activities you enjoy.
Next Steps
If you are a person with disability who wishes to participate in the NDIS, your first step is to check the access requirements. These can be found at http://www.ndis.gov.au/ndis-access-checklist
If you do meet the requirements, you will access the individualised planning processes through the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) who will also be able to provide you with information about other supports that could be of benefit to you and assist in referral to these.
