The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a pivotal initiative in Australia. It funds eligible individuals with disabilities to access various supports and services tailored to their unique needs and goals. Understanding the breadth of services the NDIS covers is essential for participants and their families to leverage the scheme’s benefits fully.
Categories of NDIS-Funded Supports
The NDIS funds “reasonable and necessary” supports that assist participants in achieving their goals and enhancing their social and economic participation. These supports are categorised into 15 key areas: These supports funded by the NDIS are divided into core supports, capacity building, and capital supports, which are designed to aid individuals with disabilities in different ways, such as everyday assistance and personal development.
- Assistance with Daily Life: Support with personal activities to enable participants to live as independently as possible.
- Transport: Funding for travel to enable participation in community, social, economic, and daily life activities.
- Consumables: Provision of everyday items and products related to a participant’s disability needs.
- Assistance with Social & Community Participation: Support for engaging in social or recreational activities within the community.
- Assistive Technology: Equipment or devices that assist participants in performing tasks they might otherwise be unable to do.
- Home Modifications: Changes to a participant’s home to ensure it is accessible and safe.
- Coordination of Supports: Assistance in organising and implementing supports and services in a participant’s plan.
- Improved Living Arrangements: Support to help participants find and maintain suitable accommodation.
- Increased Social and Community Participation: Development and training to increase skills for participation in community, social, and recreational activities.
- Finding and Keeping a Job: Support for obtaining and maintaining employment, including training and assessments.
- Improved Relationships: Services aimed at developing positive behaviours and interactions with others.
- Improved Health and Wellbeing: Activities that promote physical and mental health, such as exercise programs and nutritional advice.
- Improved Learning: Assistance with skills and training to further education and learning opportunities.
- Improved Life Choices: Plan management services to assist participants in managing their NDIS funding.
- Improved Daily Living: Therapeutic supports to enhance functional capacity and independence.
Types of NDIS Supports
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides various types of supports to help people with disability achieve their goals and improve their quality of life. These supports are categorised into three main areas: Core Supports, Capacity Building, and Capital Supports.
Core Supports
Core Supports are essential daily living activities that help participants with daily tasks, such as:
- Personal care and hygiene
- Mobility and transportation
- Household tasks and maintenance
- Meal preparation and nutrition
- Social and recreational activities
These supports are fundamental in ensuring NDIS participants can live independently, enhancing their ability to engage in community and social activities.
Capacity Building
Capacity Building supports are designed to help participants develop skills and abilities, such as:
- Communication and social skills
- Daily living skills
- Employment and education skills
- Health and wellness skills
- Leisure and recreational skills
These supports empower participants to build their capabilities, fostering greater independence and participation in various aspects of life.
Capital Supports
Capital Supports are for purchasing or leasing equipment, home modifications, and other assets that help participants with their disability, such as:
- Wheelchairs and mobility aids
- Home modifications for accessibility
- Vehicle modifications for transportation
- Assistive technology and communication devices
These supports are crucial for providing the necessary tools and modifications that enable people with disability to navigate their environments safely and effectively.
Bloom Healthcare’s Registered NDIS Provider Services
At Bloom Healthcare, we are committed to delivering personalised, evidence-based allied health services that align with the NDIS’s objectives. Our comprehensive range of services includes:
- Occupational Therapy: Enhancing participants’ ability to perform daily activities through tailored interventions.
- Physiotherapy: Improving mobility and physical function to promote independence.
- Psychology and Counselling: Providing mental health support to address emotional and psychological needs.
- Speech Pathology: Assisting with communication and swallowing difficulties to improve quality of life.
- Exercise Physiology: Developing individualised exercise programs to enhance physical well-being.
- Positive Behaviour Support (PBS): Implementing strategies to reduce challenging behaviours and promote positive outcomes.
- Paediatric Services: Specialised support for children aged 0–18, focusing on developmental needs.
- Dietetics: Offering nutritional advice and interventions to support overall health.
As a registered NDIS provider, Bloom Healthcare ensures safety and compliance through rigorous screening processes for individuals working in risk-assessed roles.
Our team works collaboratively with participants to ensure that the services provided align with their NDIS plans and personal goals. For more information on our services, please visit our services page.
Understanding Reasonable and Necessary Supports Funded by NDIS
The NDIS funds supports that are deemed “reasonable and necessary,” meaning they:
- Are related to a participant’s disability.
- Assist in achieving goals and improving participation in daily life.
- Represent value for money.
- Are likely to be effective and beneficial.
- Consider informal supports provided by family, carers, networks, and the community.
These criteria are outlined in the NDIS Act, which governs the types of supports that can be funded.
It’s important to note that the NDIS does not fund supports that are:
- The responsibility of other government systems or community services.
- Unrelated to the participant’s disability.
- Part of day-to-day living costs not associated with disability support needs.
- Likely to cause harm or pose a risk to the participant or others.
NDIS Funding and Planning
The NDIS provides funding to eligible participants to access supports and services that help them achieve their goals. The funding is allocated through a personalised plan developed in consultation with the participant, their family, and carers.
NDIS Planning
The NDIS planning process involves:
- Assessing the participant’s needs and goals
- Developing a personalised plan that outlines the supports and services required
- Allocating funding for the supports and services
- Reviewing and updating the plan regularly to ensure it remains relevant and effective
This collaborative approach ensures that the NDIS plan is tailored to the individual needs of each participant, promoting their overall well-being and goal achievement.
NDIS Funding
The NDIS funding is allocated based on the participant’s needs and goals and can be used to access a range of supports and services, including:
- Core Supports
- Capacity Building
- Capital Supports
- Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
This funding model allows participants to access comprehensive services that support their independence, participation, and overall quality of life.
NDIS Quality and Safeguards
The NDIS has a robust quality and safeguarding framework to ensure participants receive high-quality supports and services that meet their needs and promote their safety and well-being.
NDIS Quality
The NDIS quality framework focuses on the following:
- Ensuring that supports and services are delivered in a way that is safe, effective, and responsive to the participant’s needs
- Promoting the participant’s autonomy, dignity, and rights
- Encouraging continuous improvement and innovation in the delivery of supports and services
This framework ensures that NDIS providers adhere to high standards, delivering services that genuinely benefit participants.
NDIS Safeguards
The NDIS safeguarding framework includes:
- A complaints and feedback system that allows participants to report concerns or issues
- A system for reporting and responding to incidents and allegations of abuse or neglect
- A framework for ensuring that participants are protected from harm and exploitation
These safeguards are essential in maintaining a safe and supportive environment for all NDIS participants.
Safeguards Commission
The NDIS Safeguards Commission is an independent agency that oversees the quality and safety of NDIS supports and services. The Commission:
- Regulates and monitors NDIS providers to ensure they meet quality and safety standards
- Investigates complaints and incidents
- Provides guidance and support to participants, providers, and other stakeholders on quality and safety issues
The Commission plays a critical role in upholding the integrity and effectiveness of the NDIS, ensuring that all participants receive the highest standard of care and support.
Additional Help Regarding NDIS Services
Navigating the NDIS and understanding the array of services it covers can be complex. However, with the correct information and support, participants can access various services tailored to their individual needs. At Bloom Healthcare, we are dedicated to assisting individuals in making the most of their NDIS plans by providing high-quality, personalised allied health services.
Please get in touch with us for further details on how we can support your NDIS journey.
