What to Do When Things Go Wrong: Dealing with NDIS Disputes
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a government-funded program that provides support and services to people with permanent and significant disability. The NDIS aims to help you live an independent and fulfilling life, by giving you more choice and control over the support you receive. However, sometimes things may not go as smoothly as you hoped, and you may face some issues or challenges with your NDIS plan or providers. This article will provide some advice on how you can handle disputes or dissatisfaction with your NDIS plan, including steps to appeal decisions or change service providers.
What are some common NDIS disputes?
Some of the common NDIS disputes that you may encounter are:
- You are unhappy with the outcome of your plan or plan review, such as the amount or type of funding, the goals or strategies, or the duration of the plan.
- You are unhappy with the quality or suitability of the services or supports that you receive from your providers, such as the timeliness, responsiveness, professionalism, or effectiveness of the services.
- You are unhappy with the way your plan is managed, either by yourself, by a plan manager, or by the NDIS, such as the payment, reporting, or monitoring of the services.
- You are unhappy with the communication or relationship with your NDIS planner, local area coordinator, plan manager, or service providers, such as the clarity, frequency, or respectfulness of the communication.
What can you do to resolve NDIS disputes?
If you are facing any of the above issues, or any other problems with your NDIS plan or providers, there are some steps that you can take to try to resolve them. Here are some tips on what you can do:
Identify the source and nature of the problem: Try to be clear and specific about what is causing your dissatisfaction, and what you would like to change or improve. For example, you may want to increase or decrease your funding, change your goals or strategies, switch to a different provider, or improve the communication or relationship with your planner or provider.
Communicate Your Concerns and Expectations: Begin by discussing your concerns with involved parties such as your planner, local area coordinator, or service provider. Explain your issues and desired outcomes clearly and respectfully. Offer constructive feedback and maintain a positive, collaborative tone to foster understanding rather than blame.
Seek Assistance or Support: If communication proves difficult or unsatisfactory, consider enlisting help. This could be from a family member, advocate, or a support worker. Alternatively, reach out to organizations like the National Disability Advocacy Program or the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission for professional advice and advocacy.
Request a Review or Appeal: Should the issue remain unresolved, or if you believe there has been an error or rights breach, request a review or appeal. Start with an internal review by the NDIS, or seek an external review through the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. You can also file a complaint with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission if there’s a suspected breach of the NDIS Code of Conduct or Practice Standards.
Conclusion
The NDIS is a program that aims to help you live an independent and fulfilling life, by giving you more choice and control over the support you receive. However, sometimes things may not go as smoothly as you hoped, and you may face some issues or challenges with your NDIS plan or providers. If you are unhappy with any aspect of your NDIS plan or providers, you can take some steps to try to resolve the dispute, such as communicating your concerns and expectations, seeking assistance or support, or requesting a review or appeal. By taking these steps, you can ensure that your NDIS plan and providers meet your needs and goals, and that you have a positive and satisfying experience with the NDIS.
How Do I Access Support Services?
If you have a Support Coordinator that helps you with your NDIS Plan, they are the best person to get in contact with to access support services. Alternatively, there are plenty of support services available to NDIS participants. All you have to do is get in touch with their admin team to create a Service Agreement for the services you’d like to receive.
At Meta Healthcare, we provide Disability support services such as Support Work, Support Coordination, and Allied Health. Should you need any further information, feel free to contact us here or call us on (02) 4072 4075.
