Setting up for NDIS success

August 23rd, 2021

Choice, control, empowerment and autonomy

Setting up for NDIS success is done by Choice, control, empowerment and autonomy and is the new standard when it comes to Australian government support to individuals in our community.
These statements may sound somewhat new-age. However, they are now being entrenched in law for both the NDIS and aged care with demonstrable evidence-based positive outcomes.
The move towards consumer-directed care in Australia should set the global standard for new innovations in disability and aged care. A shift to empowering individuals to create their own future is, however, bringing challenges where the future vision is not clear and subsequent financial funding is not optimised.

With NDIS, it’s up to you!

Under the old system, people with disabilities were not fostered with choice or control. This is now changing, and individually owned plans need to be created. But don’t rely on the government or organisation doing the plan. Actually,it needs to be created from the “inside”, that this by the individual and their support network. This is a “Life Plan”.

The benefits of a Life Plan are enormous.

It unites everyone in the care process, as it sets a future vision and delegates actions and roles accordingly to make that vision happen. Obtaining money from NDIS can then be directed to where it’s most needed and valued. Furthermore, this  empowers the circle of friends and carers of their roles. Also, the plan gives structure and goals.

NDIS Funding structure and methodology is around the vision and goals. Implementing SMART goals enables goals to be realistically set with more successful outcomes when implementing an NDIS plan. It is also the framework for empowerment and autonomy for individuals and their support network managing their life.

Creating a life plan

All plans need must consider these clear themes:

  1. Where are you now? (current situation)
  2. Where you are going? (vision / dream / goal)
  3. How are you going to get there? (implementation)

Do not focus on money

In both life and business, money is an outcome of a good plan, not an implementable vision or goal.

Businesses need to find their own value and purpose and become self-sustaining.

Individuals find their own valued role in society, and with clear goals and vision, NDIS offers financial help to become self-sustaining.

Ownership of the vision matters

Consultants do not build a successful business, nor do institutions build a successful individual. Ownership of the vision must rest with the individual, and the structure and support around them to achieve the vision. A well-devised plan and vision will bring immense value to an individual’s wellbeing, and maximise the value of targeted funding.

Now imagine an NDIS planning meeting, armed with a well-formulated life plan. The NDIS is not only legally obliged to buy into visions that due to a defined disability need financial help to be sustained, but they will also want to. In addition, a good plan will foster better outcomes for the individual in the long term and make the most of the funding and resources made available to them.

Creating a life plan is no different from a business plan in many aspects.

  •  “If you don’t know where you are going, you could end up anywhere” The importance of a clear vision, and SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time based) goals.
  • “Great businesses are not built by consultants like happy individuals are not built by institutions, they are built by people who care.” No longer relying on the government to provide care, but a choice in who provides that care to assist better self-actualisation.
  • “A budget is not a plan, its a set of directionless numbers. A plan is a vision with simple goals.” The most powerful visions are clear and concise. “If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter”- Mark Twain.
  • “Great plans are simple, quality over quantity. The “journey” of creating a plan is an important part of having the plan. The journey needs to be owned and given clear direction and relevance” A life plan sets the framework for achieving goals within a set means. It is the result of understanding what is valued, and a clear articulation of the goals towards a vision and necessary resources, of which some include the financial budget.
  • Finding the Right NDIS Service Provider
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Ross McDonald

Ross is the CEO and founder of Capital Guardians. He has an extensive career in financial management and tech solutions development. Having first created Capital Guardians as a solution for aged care over a decade ago, so his expertise in payments and invoicing for people in protected settings is second to none.

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