What should I expect at a NDIS planning meeting?

This article is aimed at people starting out with NDIS and have their first NDIS planning meeting.

Having said that, this is great for anyone who needs a refresher or a different perspective on what should or should not happen 😊

When attending an Initial NDIS Planning Meeting

From what I have experienced the planners are usually pretty good with communicating and providing information. However, I have heard a variety of stories from other people where they have had not so good experiences and not received what they were hoping for. This is where I like to help others be well prepared for their meetings so they can get the most out of the NDIS Plan and funding.

In the beginning you will most likely be contacted by phone to make an initial planning appointment. Make sure you answer calls from withheld numbers (No Caller ID) as it could be them calling to make an appointment.

These meetings are usually held as a face-to-face and can last up to 2 or more hours. This depends on the complexity of the needs of the participant and many other factors.

You can take young children in to the appointments with you but you will need to keep any eye on them at all times. We found it easier not to take younger kids in with us, as we would otherwise be running around after them, rather than concentrating on the planning meeting.

We were able to have the time and space to go through the plan and make sure we had everything we needed included. It also gave us an opportunity to ask questions and be shown something in more detail if needed.

We went through the goals we wanted to achieve during the plan period (ie 12 months).

The plan will usually include informal (eg. family/friends), mainstream (eg. school, transport) and community (eg. sport, play groups) supports and supports funded (eg. therapists) or provided by NDIS. This is also referred to as reasonable and necessary supports.

So it is a really good idea to sit down and think about what it would take for the participant to lead a happy and fulfilling life. What do they need or want to be able to do, and cannot because of money or lack of services.

How do I prepare for an NDIS Review Meeting?

I have seen this come up many times in various groups. Below is what I do personally for my boy’s review meetings so I can be prepared.

  1. Request copies of review reports from all providers on progress since initial assessment or previous review.
  2. Sit down with a cuppa and go over their previous plan, especially the goals
    It might be a great idea to do this with someone else to help
  3. Find out what their progress has been regarding previous goals
  4. Have the goals been met?  Why/how?
  5. Determine what current issues we are facing?
  6. Work out what new goals are based on current situation?
  7. What supports/services do they need?
  8. What equipment do they need?
  9. Letters of recommendation/justification?
  10. What social activities/groups?
  11. What recreational activities/ groups?
  12. What supports/services do parents need?
  13. What supports/services do informal supports need?
  14. Support Connection?
  15. Support Coordination?
  16. Plan Management?
  17. Review via phone or face-to-face?

Can I have a tutor included in the NDIS Plan?

NDIS will not cover a tutor as it is classed as Education Support and therefore would be covered under the Education System. Meaning the Education Department would need to fund it or it would come under parental responsibility.

Having said that, if you have a Therapist Aid or Therapist Assistant provide a service that is working under the direction of a Speech Pathologist. Then yes it will be classed as Speech Pathology and covered under your NDIS Plan Budget line. Sometimes University students may be able to assist with this component.

Under the grounds the Therapist Aid is assisting the Speechie to perform their service role.

I have also heard of other people using this under their Support Worker who are qualified in the areas that are needed and use this as part of their carer service. For example, life skills, cooking, budgeting, etc.

Resources

NDIS document that outlines what they will fund in relation to Education.

NDIS Planning process.

Disclaimer: at the time of writing this information, all contents were true and correct based on personal lived experience. Please note that is a guide only and over time they may change their processes and some information contained in this article may become void and irrelevant. If in doubt, please go directly to the source, NDIS to seek clarity and clarification.