Disability support has made great progress over the last few years. Rather than assuming one size fits all, today’s approach is all about the individual. As a consumer, you have choice and control over who provides you with support – and the way your services are delivered.
But with so much choice available, how do you choose the NDIS provider that is right for you? Here are 8 tips to help you find a good fit.
- Ask plenty of questions.
There is no such thing as a silly question. When you first meet with a provider, ask them everything you want to know about their services, support workers, fees, their approach to care, their process for complaints. You may even want to write down your questions before your first meeting, so you don’t forget anything.
- Be open about what you want.
Your support plan should meet your needs and be suited to your circumstances. It’s important to tell any potential service provider how you want to be supported, what types of services you need, and what is important to you. You might also want to find out if they can be flexible to your schedule, so you can receive support at a time and day that suits you.
- Do you get along with them?
The best care comes from people who you feel comfortable with. When a provider visits you for the first time, take note of how you get along. Are they approachable and easy to talk to? Do you feel understood when you express your wishes and opinions? Are you able to have an honest conversation about your care?
- Find out about their team.
Find out how the provider hires their staff – in particular, whether they are suitably experienced and qualified. You could also ask how they match their customers with suitable support workers. A good provider will make the effort to provide you with a consistent team of professionals who you feel comfortable with, rather than a different person each week.
- Pay attention to how they treat you.
A home care provider should make you feel valued as a person. Take note of how the support coordinator treats you in your first few meetings. Are they warm and friendly? Do they make an effort to get to know you? They should be respectful towards you, and include you as an active partner in your care.
- Get a second opinion from your loved one.
Don’t forget that you can always have a family member or friend accompany you when meeting with a new service provider. This can be a good way to get a second opinion, or have someone else on hand to help you ask everything you need to know and remember information for later.
Ask questions about your plan.
Talk to the provider about the funding you’ve been given, and what kind of subsidised services you can access. You may find that there are supports you haven’t been receiving which you are actually qualified for. It’s also important to find out what fees the provider charges, so you know how much funding is at your disposal.
Do some research.
You may also want to do some research about the provider you’re considering, and see what other customers think about their services. Good places to start are their website, online reviews or forums where you can ask about other people’s experience with that provider. This might help give you an idea of what it’s like to partner with them for your care.
Home Caring is passionate about providing care that is treats each person as an individual. As an Australia-wide NDIS registered provider, we offer support that promotes your independence, dignity and choice – so you can live the life you choose. For more information about our NDIS support services, please get in touch.
