As an NDIS service provider, you play an important role in helping NDIS participants live an independent and fulfilling life.
What that life looks and feels like is different for every person living with a disability. By encouraging participants to pursue their personal goals can unlock NDIS supports which will help them overcome any disability-specific barriers that are in the way.
What are NDIS goals?
These are goals set by participants and the NDIS together during a planning meeting. Goals are determined by a person’s individual psychological and physiological ability, as well as their personal needs and motivations. NDIS funding is then allocated in the form of different supports to specifically help participants achieve their goals.
Why are NDIS goals important to the health and well-being of participants?
Striving towards a goal is a positive source of motivation and gives participants a sense of purpose which can improve overall well-being.
The types of NDIS goals participants set can be anything that helps them live a healthy, independent and happy life. This could be:
- Learning to drive, so they can travel independently to work
- Signing up to a course to build new or improve existing skills
- Joining a social club to make new friends
- Visiting the gym regularly to improve physical strength and mobility
Having a tailored and clear NDIS plan in place gives participants and service providers defined markers to track and measure progress and achievements. It also takes the participant’s carer network into consideration, ensuring their well-being is accounted for.
It’s critical that participants have a sense of control and are actively involved in making decisions about their NDIS plan. This is why we like to involve participants as much as possible at every step of their journey.
As experienced NDIS plan managers, here are our top five tips on how to help participants reach their NDIS goals:
1. Adopt a SMART approach
First, brainstorm with participants to identify their NDIS goals. Then apply the SMART framework to each goal to give participants the best chance of them achieving their goals:
Specific: This is where you need to focus on the details of the goal. What needs to be accomplished? Who is involved or responsible for it? Exactly what steps need to be taken? What supports will help the participant achieve this goal?
Measurable: How will you track the participant’s progress and know when they have achieved their goal?
Achievable: Is the goal realistic and aligned with the person’s physical and psychological capability? Do adjustments need to be made to ensure that expectations are met and disappointment is avoided?
Relevant: This step requires big-picture thinking. Why does the participant want to achieve this goal and does it align with their values and aspirations?
Time-bound: Deadlines are a great motivator, but remember to be flexible with time frames because sometimes life happens and plans need to be adjusted.
Once you’re both happy with the goals you have identified, work together to create a vision board or mind map which will give participants a visual reminder of the goals they have set. This will help them to stay focused and motivated along the journey.
2. Ensure successful supports are in place
Having a good understanding of the different funding categories that the NDIS supports will enable participants to unlock funding opportunities and put them on the path to success:
Core Supports
- Consumables (e.g. everyday items like continence aids)
- Daily activities (e.g. assistance with self-care or medication administration)
- Assistance with social and community participation
- Transport (e.g. if they’re unable to use public transport)
Capacity Building
- Choice and control (e.g. help understanding their NDIS plan)
- Daily activities (e.g. help doing household chores)
- Employment (e.g. navigating the workplace)
- Health and wellbeing (e.g. exercise and diet advice)
- Home living (e.g. access appropriate accommodation)
- Lifelong learning (e.g. help moving towards higher education)
- Relationships (e.g. counselling and advice on supportive strategies)
- Social and community participation (e.g. individual life skills development)
Capital Supports
- Assistive technology (e.g. wheelchairs or vehicle modification)
- Home modifications (e.g. ramps or railing)
Did you know, for a participant’s NDIS goal to fit into the NDIS funding criteria, it must be deemed reasonable and necessary? The NDIS will fund goal-orientated supports and services that meet the following criteria:
- Aligned specifically to the participant’s disability
- Don’t incur daily living costs unrelated to a participant’s disability (such as shopping items)
- Represent value for money
- Takes into account other support received outside the NDIS (such as government services, family, carers and the community).
3. Build your participant’s A-team
Goals are easier to reach when you have the support of those closest to you. Having a network of friends, family members, carers, service providers, plan managers (like us!) and Local Area Coordinators on hand to provide words of encouragement is key to unlocking the full potential of participants, and will help them stay on track and navigate the inevitable highs and lows.
4. Be results-orientated
Sometimes the results of an NDIS goal aren’t always clear or tangible. The result might be simply what it represents; independence, access to employment, community connections, wider social opportunities or financial security. On the other hand, a target reached might mean that things stay the same, like maintaining their current employment or a relationship.
By setting a range of short, medium and long-term goals, participants are able to visualise and break down the steps involved in their journey and enjoy a variety of different benefits. Regularly achieving goals – however big or small – fosters a sense of achievement, confidence and motivation to keep striving forward.
5. Remain flexible
Are you a student studying at TAFE or university? Or plan on studying in the future but are worried about how you can manage it? Supports such as these can give you a positive learning experience:
● Personal care and support at school
● Transport to and from school
● Specialist support needed to transition to higher education, training, or work
Ready to inspire?
For more information on how to help participants reach their full potential, read this NDIS resource, or get in touch with our Plan Management team today for professional advice.
