The NDIS is rolling out in new areas around Australia from 1st July. This means that those phone calls to set planning appointment dates will start coming in slow dribs and drabs and then in a tsunami like wave. Whether your planning meeting is with the NDIA Planner or an LAC here are a few things to remember about the meeting.
1. If the phone call to set a meeting date comes at an inconvenient time don’t feel pressured into making an appointment time then and there. Get a phone number and call them back when you have your diary in front of you and a clear head to make the arrangements. In other areas where the NDIS has already rolled out the planning for people who are regarded as requiring "high intensity" support has been undertaken by the NDIA Planners. The planning for people with "standard" supports has been undertaken by LACs. The definition of "high intensity" is a little elusive but the price guide defines it as: "A higher intensity support may be paid where a participant requires assistance from a support worker with additional qualifications and experience relevant to the participant’s complex needs. The higher intensity rate may be considered when: · Frequent (at least 1 instance per shift) assistance is required to manage challenging behaviours that require intensive positive behaviour support and/or · Continual active support is required due to high medical support needs (such as unstable seizure activity or respiratory support)" If the participant falls into this "high intensity" category make sure that you are allocated a planner with the skills to undertake this type of planning and the knowledge of what the NDIA regards as reasonable and necessary for people in this group.
2. Make sure you insist on a face to face meeting. Most people find this a whole lot better experience than trying to have the discussion over the phone.
3. Prepare what you want to say to the planner before the day so that you are clear about what you want to achieve in your first plan, the goals you want to set and the support you require to achieve those goals. There are plenty of planning resources in the files section of this site and the pinned post also provides you with some guidelines about how to prepare a plan.
4. Take a trusted person with you to help you tell your story. Sometimes the NDIA Planner or LAC might try to discourage you from having someone else with you. Don’t listen to them. It’s always great to have someone else there to help you out when you get a little flustered. They can also help you keep your meeting on track when it starts to go off on tangents... after all this is your meeting, no one else’s. Make sure you yarn with your support person (people) before the planning meeting so that they know what you want to achieve.
5. If you are a Plan Nominee for a participant, make sure that they are present for as much of the meeting as they can manage so that the planner gets to meet them and gets to know a little bit about who they are.
6. A planning meeting can go for as little as one hour or up to three hours in some cases. Most planning meetings seem to go for about two hours. Make sure you have plenty of time before the meeting and after so you’re not worried about other things you have to do.
7. Don’t allow yourself to be rushed by the Planner. It is important to explain your situation, the goals you have and the supports you require so that the planner fully understands. The person who accompanies you can help slow down the meeting if the Planner is trying to rush through all the questions.
8. Before you finish the meeting, make sure you ask the Planner the goals they have recorded for you and the supports they believe are reasonable and necessary. Check these off against the supports you documented in your preparation and ask for clarification if the Planner is not willing to recommend some supports you believe are reasonable and necessary. Make sure that the planner documents that you have asked for a support that they do not believe is reasonable and necessary and the the reasons why you think it should be funded and the reason why they don't agree. If they won't do this, document this yourself and double check with the Planner that you have recorded their reasons accurately. Don’t forget to include Supports Coordination and Plan Management or Self-management if you want those options. Some planners will try and convince you that Self-Management and Plan Management are too difficult for someone starting their first plan. Challenge them on this assumption if you want one of these options. You will find Supports Coordination really useful, at least for your first plan. A good Support Coordinator is a great asset in helping you find suitable Service Providers, negotiate with those Providers, setup equitable Service Agreements, build your skills to manage your supports and explore opportunities within your go