What's the Difference Between Support Coordination and Plan Management?

The NDIS can feel like a maze when you're first starting out. Two key services often cause confusion: support coordination and plan management. While both support you to get the most from your NDIS plan, they serve completely different purposes. Understanding these differences helps you make informed decisions about which services you need.

What Is Support Coordination and What Does It Do?

Support coordination is a capacity building service designed to help you understand and implement your NDIS plan. Think of a support coordinator as your personal NDIS guide who works one-on-one with you to navigate the system.

The NDIS Commission defines support coordination as a service that can help participants understand their NDIS plan, connect participants with providers and services, and build participants' confidence in coordinating their supports.

Key Functions of Support Coordination

Your support coordinator will help you:

• Understand your NDIS plan and how to use it effectively

• Connect with service providers that match your needs

• Build relationships with mainstream and community services

• Develop confidence to coordinate your own supports over time

• Navigate challenges and resolve issues with providers

• Prepare for NDIS plan reviews

• Monitor your budget and spending patterns

Support coordination comes in three levels, each designed for different needs:

Level 1: Support Connection - Basic assistance to connect you with providers and services, typically lasting just a few hours

Level 2: Coordination of Supports - More comprehensive support involving regular weekly contact to help you implement your plan effectively

Level 3: Specialist Support Coordination - The highest level of support for people with complex needs, requiring specialist expertise from qualified professionals

What Is Plan Management and What Does It Do?

Plan management is a financial administration service that handles the money side of your NDIS plan. Unlike support coordinators who focus on services and capacity building, plan managers are all about managing your NDIS funding.

The NDIS Commission describes plan managers as services that support participants to manage their plan funding by monitoring the plan budget, managing NDIS claims, paying providers and providing regular statements that show the plans financial status.

Key Functions of Plan Management

Your plan manager will:

• Pay service provider invoices on your behalf

• Monitor your budget and track spending across different categories

• Process claims to the NDIA for payments

• Provide monthly financial statements showing your remaining funds

• Give you access to both registered and unregistered providers

• Handle the administrative burden of managing your NDIS finances

Plan management funding includes a setup fee and monthly processing fees that come directly from the NDIS - not from your other support budgets. This means there's no cost to you personally.

Key Differences Between Support Coordination and Plan Management

Primary Focus

Support coordination focuses on capacity building and connecting you with the right services to achieve your goals. Plan management focuses purely on financial administration and budget management.

Where They're Funded From

Support coordination is funded from your Capacity Building Supports budget. Plan management has its own separate funding allocation that doesn't reduce your other support budgets.

Types of Support Provided

Support coordinators provide guidance, advocacy, and help you develop skills to manage your plan independently. Plan managers provide financial services like paying invoices and budget monitoring.

Eligibility Requirements

Not all participants receive support coordination funding - the NDIA must determine it's "reasonable and necessary". Plan management is available to anyone who requests it during their planning meeting.

Duration and Interaction

Support coordinators work closely with you through regular meetings and phone calls to build your capacity. Plan managers typically have less direct contact, focusing on behind-the-scenes financial administration.

Skills They Help You Build

Support coordinators help you develop skills to understand the NDIS system, coordinate services, and exercise choice and control. Plan managers can help build financial literacy skills, though this is less common.

Bringing It All Together

You don't have to choose between support coordination and plan management - many participants benefit from both services. They work together to provide comprehensive support: one focusing on services and capacity building, the other handling financial administration.

Support coordinators cannot provide plan management services, and plan managers cannot act as support coordinators. Each role requires different skills and serves different purposes in your NDIS journey.

The key is understanding what type of support you need most. If you're struggling to understand your plan, find providers, or coordinate services, support coordination might be your priority. If managing invoices, budgets, and financial administration feels overwhelming, plan management could be the solution.

Both services aim to reduce the burden on you and your family while building your capacity to get the most from your NDIS plan. The right combination depends on your individual circumstances, goals, and support needs.