When it comes to NDIS service providers one thing you’re not short on is options.
So how do you choose the right NDIS service provider for you, your child or your loved one?
Service providers are your personal team of supporters. Their job is to help you live your best life and achieve your goals.
A service provider is a person, business or organisation who delivers funded services as part of your NDIS Plan. Service providers have different areas of experience and expertise.
To assist you in finding the right provider we have put together 8 service essentials that we believe go a long way in giving you the assurance you need when making this important decision.
Service Driven
Being customer service oriented really boils down to one simple idea: helping people. As simplistic as it sounds, this is the core idea and mindset that is required to be service driven. Yes, there are a lot of skills you need to support your clients effectively, but the core value that informs the day-to-day actions of all staff, is the desire and commitment to serve. Being service oriented is about an organisations ability to fulfil the ultimate purpose of helping people, regardless of any challenges that present along the way.
Focused on Outcomes as well as Relationships
Building trust and having confidence in your provider are important factors in establishing a positive relationship but these things also need to be considered within the context of what the organisation can deliver for you. How focused is your provider on delivering on outcomes and how do they achieve positive changes for their clients? Outcomes are the positive changes that happen for people because of an activity or support enables you and the provider see what they are doing is working.
Person centred When choosing an NDIS service provider, you want to make sure that they work in partnership with you and/or your family. They should be focused on providing interventions that take your priorities and home situation into account and operate in a way that helps you to develop your own support networks and build on your strengths. There is no one right way to work with everyone. Your service provider should be dynamic enough to adapt to suit your unique needs and goals.
Inclusive Everybody has the right to a voice and place within the community, with the same opportunities, choices and experiences as everyone else. You need to choose a service provider who has inclusive as one of their core values. Who goes to great lengths to ensure every single client feels a sense of real belonging and unreservedly accepted—exactly how they are? They should be committed to supporting their clients in a way that allows them to reach their maximum potential and squeeze every opportunity out of life.
Works in Partnership
Working in partnership is essential as it enables both parties to benefit from pooled expertise, resources and power sharing. The goal of a partnership is to enhance the quality of the service and support provided. Some traits of partnership include; working towards a common goal, understanding the value of each partners contribution and trust and respect between partners. Whether it’s working as a team directly with your family or carers or working with a team alongside other service providers who support you, a good service provider will always share skills, knowledge and information.
Builds Capacity
Does the organisation work with people to help build and expand their capacity and confidence by supporting people to obtain and improve skills, knowledge, tools and personal resources? Your NDIS service provider should be focused on helping you to live out your everyday life with as much independence as possible. Whether it’s at home, school, work or in the wider community, being able to integrate and contribute allows you to feel a sense of belonging and opens a world of opportunities.
Qualified It probably goes without saying that your chosen service provider needs to hold the necessary qualifications to perform their services. Make sure also that their approaches are evidence-based, meaning they use interventions and strategies that are founded on substantial clinical evidence and research.
Cultural Aware Each of us grow up in our own unique family culture. Beyond that we have the community culture of our surrounding environment and many have religious beliefs. Some may come from different countries and speak a different language. A good NDIS provider will welcome everyone, no matter what. And beyond welcoming, they will adapt their service to cater for the unique needs that any cultural upbringing may cultivate. It’s important that you, as a client, always feel respected and accepted.
So now that we know what makes a good NDIS service provider, here are some practical tips to help you choose the right provider for your unique needs. Ask specific and practical questions Some examples include:
Where will the service be provided?
How do they propose to work with you/your loved one to support their development?
What kind of experience and/or qualifications do they hold?
When will the support commence?
What are your options if you’re not satisfied with their service?
Consider how accessible they are and whether their availability will suit your needs. Some things to think about include:
If you need to go somewhere, is it accessible via public transport or is there adequate parking?
How long do sessions run for and will that work for your schedule?
How regularly will you need to engage the services and when do they operate?
Meet them face to face if you have the opportunity. Face to face meetings allow you to get a feel for a provider and whether you might feel they might be a good fit. You can generally get more information and you’ll be able to tell whether they are truly listening and making an effort to understand your unique goals.
You can find more information from the NDIS about working with providers here or you can always contact one of our team here at Quality Health Care for more information.