Concern one is that the outcome from a meeting to discuss goals often don't translate what I really want. The LAC's don't ask the right questions. The preparation documents provided don't seem to align.
Concern two is that when you go into the portal to use funds, the description of the areas where the funds come from dont match are arent logical compared to the goals mentioned in the plan.
Concern three - Expertise and experience in autism isn't recognised (by the unit price) and so good quality workers and providers for adult supports and services are hard to find. More money goes to the operators not to (quality) support workers
You end up with a plan that doesn't have the funds or the goals that you intended.
When self managed and allocating funds it's a bit of guess work to make sure you are spending money from the correct allocation within the plan budget.
At the end of the first plan (early days of the pandemic) and also now, its very difficult to find quality providers/workers who know enough about autism. As a parent I have the expertise but I cant be 'funded/paid' to support my adult child even though I have more experience and knowledge than most support workers and providers we use.
Allow people to say to say 'this is the service i want' or these are the types of services I want in my plan...
Use better descriptors in the portal that align with the plan.
Recognise the skills and expertise of autism support workers/providers in the unit price paid to the worker - not the organisation. Could be based on a certification scheme. Allowing training organisation an opportunity to give accreditation to support workers for the training and knowledge they have received and years of experience they have.
Find away to allow family members to be financially recognised for their skills supporting their child or a family member and the training they are inadvertently providing to support workers and other professionals.
Have some flexibility in a self managed plan but more flexibility would be great especially if you cant spend it on an area due to a lack of expertise.
We have funding now under NDIS but didnt have under the old state funded system.
Have some flexibility in a self managed plan but more flexibility would be great especially if you cant spend it on an area due to a lack of expertise.
Allowing for exercise and gyms to be covered would be beneficial as increase physical exercise is important for health and wellbeing, especially mental health.
More options around transport. My son doesn't drive and we have to drive him every where or have to use support workers for transport. Public transport doesnt go all the places he needs to or wants to go to. We cant access the half taxi fares or other schemes as we are note eligible.