On 01 October 2020 NDIA finally released much-awaited guidance for NDIS Plan Managers. The guide is available from the NDIS website both in Full and in an easy-read version from this link here
In recent times demand for plan management has grown and 40% of participants now choose to use plan management services.
The release of this Guide by NDIA this October is a vital step that was long anticipated. Finally, a documented version of what is expected of a plan manager and their roles and responsibilities are now further clarified and made public. This guidance will help solve many confusions and help direct the processes a plan manager may have to follow right from the start, during, and at the termination of the plan management service to the NDIS participants.
This guidance will play an important role in not only streamlining the practices amongst nearly 1000 NDIS plan management service providers across Australia but will also help enhance the overall quality of this support category and ultimately improve outcomes for participants.
The main framework that this guide is based on is around -
helping participants to understand what to expect from their plan managers
explaining the roles, responsibilities, and activities of ndis plan management providers
outlining the broader system plan management providers operate under.
Important takeaways from this guide include -
Clarity on setup and ongoing costs for plan management. The guide stated that plan managers must conduct face-to-face, telephonic or online meetings for the initial setup of plan management services.
Recording of such meetings must be the responsibility of the provider in order to show evidence while charging the setup costs to the participant’s plan.
Record keeping, documenting, and ongoing notification to the participants of the budget usage and progress are also stressed.
Clarity around what happens when a participant changes plan management provider. The guide stated that the end dates of Invoice processing must be clearly agreed upon between the participant and the provider terminating services, thereby clarifying responsibility for new and old plan managers upon receipt of invoices past the agreed cut-off date.
Clarity on responsibilities of plan manager including promptness, integrity, and adherence to NDIS code of conduct while providing plan management service.
The guide clarified that exploring and connecting with providers, broader systems of support, and community support do not fall under the plan manager's bucket of things.
Maintaining participant's NDIS Supports through rostering and advocacy does not fall under the category of plan management supports.
For more information or if required more clarity please ring us on 1300 323 399
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