The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a transformative initiative by the Australian government, designed to provide support to people with disability, including children with developmental delay or disability. A key aspect of the NDIS is the funding of reasonable and necessary supports. This blog post delves into what these supports are and how they can help children work towards their life goals.
Understanding Reasonable and Necessary Supports
The NDIS funds supports that are deemed reasonable and necessary. But what does this mean? In the context of the NDIS, a support is considered reasonable and necessary if it:
- Is related to the participant's disability.
- Represents value for money.
- Is likely to be effective and beneficial for the participant.
- Takes into account informal supports given to participants by families, carers, networks, and the community.
How Reasonable and Necessary Supports Help Children
Reasonable and necessary supports funded by the NDIS can make a significant difference in the lives of children with disability or developmental delay. These supports are designed to help children:
- Achieve their goals: The supports are tailored to help children work towards their personal goals, which could range from improving communication skills to participating in community activities.
- Increase independence: By providing the necessary aids and equipment, the NDIS helps children increase their independence.
- Enhance skills: The NDIS funds supports that help children enhance their skills, which can be beneficial for their education and future employment.
- Improve wellbeing: By addressing the child's individual needs, the supports can significantly improve their overall wellbeing.
Guidelines for Reasonable and Necessary Supports
To ensure that the supports provided are indeed reasonable and necessary, the NDIS has set certain guidelines. These include:
- The support should not include day-to-day living costs that are unrelated to the participant's disability support needs.
- The support should not be a support that is likely to cause harm to the participant or pose a risk to others.
- The support should not be a support that is primarily for the benefit of others.
The Process of Accessing Reasonable and Necessary Supports
Accessing reasonable and necessary supports through the NDIS involves a systematic process. Here's a step-by-step guide:
- Understanding the Needs: The first step is to understand the child's needs. This involves assessing the child's disability or developmental delay and how it impacts their daily life.
- Applying for the NDIS: Once the needs are understood, the next step is to apply for the NDIS. This involves submitting an Access Request Form along with evidence of the child's disability.
- Creating an NDIS Plan: If the application is approved, an NDIS representative will work with you to create an NDIS plan. This plan will outline the child's goals and the supports needed to achieve them.
- Implementing the Plan: Once the plan is approved, you can start accessing the supports outlined in the plan. This could involve working with service providers to deliver the supports.
- Reviewing the Plan: The NDIS plan is typically reviewed annually to ensure it continues to meet the child's needs. If the child's needs change significantly, the plan can be reviewed sooner.
The Impact of Reasonable and Necessary Supports
The impact of reasonable and necessary supports on a child's life can be profound. These supports can help children with disability or developmental delay to:
- Participate more fully in life: By providing supports like therapy sessions, personal care aids, and modifications to the home, the NDIS can help children participate more fully in life.
- Achieve their potential: With the right supports, children can achieve their potential in various areas of life, including education, social interactions, and self-care.
- Live a more independent life: Supports such as mobility aids and assistive technology can help children live a more independent life.
- Feel more included in their community: By providing supports that facilitate participation in community activities, the NDIS can help children feel more included in their community.
In conclusion, the NDIS's provision of reasonable and necessary supports can make a significant difference in the lives of children with disability or developmental delay. By understanding these supports and how to access them, parents and carers can ensure their children receive the help they need to achieve their goals and live fulfilling lives. If you have any more questions or need further information, please reach out to the NDIS or a disability support worker. Remember, you are not alone in this journey, and there are resources and supports available to help you and your child.
