What Is Choice and Control

What is choice and control?

The NDIS is designed to put you in charge of your journey and the supports you receive along the way. There are two main ways it does this: the choice of how your NDIS funding is managed and the providers who deliver your supports, and control over how you go about achieving the goals in your NDIS plan.

So, when people talk about choice and control, they’re basically talking about the freedom to bring your NDIS plan to life in the way you want.

How can I put this into action?

There are many ways that you can exercise choice and control on your NDIS journey. Because there’s no straightforward answer to this question, we asked our team to provide some of their top tips.

1. Don't settle

If you’re not happy with any part of your NDIS experience, there’s a good chance you are able to change it. From changing service providers or plan managers through to requesting a review of your plan, there are lots of ways you can have choice and control over the supports you receive.

2. Do your research

Not all service providers, plan managers or support workers offer the same level of service. Getting advice and opinions from others is a great way to help you choose the right ones for you. There are many places you can turn for advice including someone you know who has an NDIS plan, NDIS groups on social media, or websites like Clickability or My Care Space.

3. Your funding is there to be used

The funding in your NDIS plan is there to support you in your daily life and to achieve your goals. It’s important to keep an eye on your budgets to avoid underspending, to ensure you’re getting the support you’re entitled to – a big part of choice and control. A good Plan Manager can help with this.

4. Understand your plan

Understanding the funding you have in your plan and what it can be used for can greatly improve your level of choice and control. For example, Core funding is flexible and can be used for all sorts of things, including iPads, meal prep and Short Term Accommodation. Learning what you can access with your budgets gives you even more control over how you navigate NDIS. If you have a Plan Manager or a Support Coordinator, you can always turn to them for advice.

5. Keep up with new NDIS changes

There are many new NDIS measures being introduced regularly. Keeping up to date with these allows you to take advantage of each opportunity as they come. A Plan Manager, such as Kera's Plan Management, should also be able to provide you with updates on the latest changes and how they may affect you.

6. Understanding reasonable and necessary

Reasonable and necessary is another key concept of the NDIS. The more you understand what the NDIS considers reasonable and necessary, the greater flexibility you can how when using your funds.

7. Get support

Take advantage of the support that’s out there and can help along the way. For example, a Support Coordinator can work with you to find the perfect service provider for your needs – and you can now use your Core budget to access them.