Specialist Support Coordination (SSC) is the highest level of Support Coordination available and has been designed for NDIS participants, who are experiencing significant barriers in their support environment due to high & complex support needs or high level risks in their situation.
A qualified Specialist Support Coordinator is meant to utilise a specialist approach to reduce these barriers & complexities leading to consistent and stable service delivery and therefore enabling the participant to work towards their individual goals and aspirations.
We have received many enquiries in regards to what actually constitutes SSC and who can deliver this service, as the definition provided by the NDIA is quite vague.
In the fourth part of our "CYconnect NDIS Series", our Specialist Support Coordinators will therefore explore the role of Specialist Support Coordination and address the questions we get asked the most.
Who can register to deliver Specialist Support Coordination ?
Whilst Level 2 Support Coordination can be delivered by people without qualifications, Specialist Support Coordination can only be delivered by a qualified and experienced practitioner.
To be able to register with the NDIS Commission for SSC, a prospective provider must be able to demonstrate, that they are a qualified practitioner who is registered with their professional body/regulation agency:
Social Workers - must be registered with AASW
Occupational Therapists - must be registered with AHPRA
Psychologists - must be registered with AHPRA
To be able to register, all practitioners must provide evidence of their education (University degree), experience in the field and commitment to continuous professional development (CPD).
What about unregistered SSC providers?
Whilst your SSC funding will generally be NDIA managed, you can request for it to be changed to plan- or self-managed, which gives you the option to choose between registered and unregistered providers.
An unregistered provider might be the right match for you, however there is a lot less oversight and quality assurance involved.
Therefore it is always a good idea to request the following, should you consider an unregistered SSC provider:
Evidence of University degree and experience (resume)
Certificate of registration with professional body (AASW, AHPRA)
Worker screening compliance documentation (Blue Card, Yellow Card, Insurances)
If you are working with a registered organisation with many employees, it is also a good idea to ask the SSC allocated to you for the evidence above, as in some cases an organisation might be registered to deliver SSC, but the actual worker might not always be a qualified practitioner.
What does a Specialist Support Coordinator do?
A good SSC will provide you with intensive, outcome-focused supports designed to assist you to identify and overcome complex barriers to successful plan implementation.
The SSC will focus on building strength and resilience within your support network and implement practical plans and strategies that work for you to mitigate risks and manage points of crisis.
SSC is a time-limited support, meaning a Specialist Support Coordinator is engaged for a specific task/purpose. This often includes:
Exploring suitable housing options
Linking in with specialised supports
Transitioning out of correctional facilities or SMHRUs
Developing a holistic intervention plan to be put in place by Support Workers
How do I access Specialist Support Coordination?
You can request for SSC to be added to your NDIS plan in the course of a scheduled or unscheduled plan review.
You will have to provide supporting evidence to highlight your need for SSC (e.g. Allied Health reports, records of hospital admissions).
Your Support Coordinator can help you with this and liaise with the NDIA on your behalf.
If you are looking for a great Specialist Support Coordinator in Brisbane and surrounds, contact us now to have a chat and schedule a no-obligation meet & greet!
We are accredited Allied Health professionals (Social Work/Psychology) with extensive experience in complex mental health practice and are registered with the NDIS Commission to provide Specialist Support Coordination, Psychosocial Recovery Coaching and Support Coordination.
Stay tuned for our next CYconnect NDIS Series post!
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