NDIS FAQ's
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NDIS Frequently Asked Questions
Here, you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). We’ve compiled this information to help you better understand the NDIS and how it can support you or your loved one(s).
If you have any further questions or require more specific information, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team.
High Complex Needs in SIL FAQ's
What are high complex needs in the NDIS?
High complex needs refer to individuals who require significant levels of support due to a combination of factors, such as:
- Medical conditions: Complex health conditions that require ongoing care and management.
- Behavioral challenges: Challenging behaviors that are difficult to manage and may require specialized support.
- Psychosocial difficulties: Mental health conditions, substance abuse, or social isolation that significantly impact daily life.
- Environmental factors: Limited access to resources, support networks, or appropriate housing.
Individuals with high complex needs often require specialized support services, assistive technology, and ongoing medical care. The NDIS provides funding for these supports to help individuals with high complex needs live more independently and participate fully in their communities.
How does the NDIS define high complex needs?
The NDIS uses a framework to assess the complexity of an individual's needs, considering factors such as:
- The frequency and intensity of support required
- The level of medical intervention needed
- The impact of the disability on daily life and participation
What are some examples of high complex needs?
Examples of high complex needs include:
- Medical conditions: Diabetes, epilepsy, respiratory conditions, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis
- Behavioral challenges: Aggression, self-harm, property damage, elopement
- Psychosocial difficulties: Severe mental health conditions, substance abuse, homelessness
- Environmental factors: Lack of suitable housing, limited access to transportation, social isolation
How can the NDIS support individuals with high complex needs?
The NDIS provides funding for a range of supports to address the specific needs of individuals with high complex needs, including:
- Specialised disability support services: One-on-one support, group support, respite care
- Therapy and rehabilitation: Speech therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy
- Assistive technology: Devices and equipment to support independence
- Supported independent living: Assistance with daily living tasks and community participation
- Community participation: Programs and activities to promote social inclusion and engagement
How do I get assessed for high complex needs under the NDIS?
To be assessed for high complex needs, you will need to undergo a comprehensive assessment by an NDIS planner. The planner will assess your functional capacity, support needs, and goals to determine if you meet the criteria for high complex needs funding.
Can I transition from a regular NDIS plan to a high complex needs plan?
Yes, if your circumstances change and your needs become more complex, you can request a review of your NDIS plan to transition to a high complex needs plan.
Can CSBS provide High Complex Care?
CSBS is an NDIS regsitered provider that speicialises in Complex need and HIDPA supports. We are regularly audited and pride ourselves on our person-led approach to providing supports. If you'd like to learn more please reach out to us and we'll happily answer your questions.
High Intensity Daily Personal Activities (HIDPA) FAQ's
What are NDIS high intensity daily personal activities?
HIDPA are specialised supports for individuals who require significant assistance with daily living tasks. They are designed for participants with complex health conditions that often require intensive care.
What types of supports are included in HIDPA?
- Complex bowel care
- Enteral feeding and management
- Severe dysphagia management
- Tracheostomy management
- Urinary catheter management
- Ventilator management
- Subcutaneous injections
- Complex wound management
Who is eligible for HIDPA?
Individuals who require ongoing support with one or more of the listed activities and have an NDIS plan may be eligible for HIDPA.
What are the high intensity support skills descriptors?
These descriptors outline the skills and knowledge NDIS providers should ensure their workers have when supporting participants who rely on high-intensity daily personal activities. These supports are considered high-risk and often involve personal care tasks that require close communication and understanding between workers and participants.
Can CSBS offer HIDPA supports?
Yes, CSBS is registered to provide HIDPA supports to NDIS participants. Our registered nurse and trained support workers are qualified in supporting people with complex health needs. We are committed to providing exceptional care, particularly for those who require intensive daily support to manage their health.
What are the revised High Intensity Support Skills Descriptors (HISSD)?
The revised HISSD focus on competency-based training and assessment, emphasising the importance of ongoing professional development. They also provide more specific guidance on support delivery and monitoring. CSBS is a registered NDIS provider and we are auidted to provide HIDPA supports inline with the revised HISSD standard.
What are the costs associated with HIDPA?
HIDPA is covered under the NDIS scheme, so there are no out-of-pocket costs for participants. However, the specific funding allocation will depend on your individual plan.
Can I transition from one HIDPA provider to another?
Yes, you can transition between HIDPA providers. However, there may be some administrative processes involved, so it's important to plan ahead and communicate with your current and desired providers. If you do have any questions, please reach out to us and we’ll be happy to help you.
FAQ's - NDIS Supported Independent Living
What is Supported independent living (SIL)?
SIL is a type of support that helps you with daily tasks around your home so you can:
- Be independent: Live more independently and build your confidence.
- Learn new skills: Acquire new skills and develop your abilities.
Who is Supported independent living for?
SIL is designed for participants who need ongoing support throughout most of the day. Many participants who receive SIL funding live in shared accommodation with other participants who also receive SIL.
What does SIL funding cover?
SIL funding covers the cost of a support person to assist you with:
- Personal care: Tasks like showering, getting dressed, and grooming.
- Daily living: Activities such as eating, cooking meals, and keeping your home tidy.
What Doesn’t SIL funding Cover?
SIL funding does not include costs like:
- Rent: The rental payments for your accommodation.
- Groceries: The cost of food and other household essentials.
Am I eligible for SIL funding?
To qualify for our Supported Independent Living services, you must meet the following requirements:
- Have an NDIS plan with funding for Supported Independent Living
- Be over the age of 18
- Be able to live in shared accommodation with others or be funded for 1:1 SIL supports
- Require 24/7 support
How do you get SIL funding included in your plan?
The NDIS aims to fund the most appropriate home and living support option that will benefit you both now and in the future. The funded supports should work together to address your disability support needs.
When assessing funding options, the NDIS considers whether the supports will:
- Help you pursue your goals
- Improve or maintain your ability to perform tasks with less support
- Reduce or maintain your need for one-on-one support
- Foster better connections with family, community, health services, education, and employment
- Based on this information, the NDIS will determine if SIL or other home and living supports meet the NDIS funding criteria.
What types of supports can I receive with SIL funding in my NDIS plan?
CSBS provides supported independent living options for people with disability and offer assistance with daily life activities for people at home and in the community – these include:
- managing personal care such as showering, bathing, dressing, and toileting
- managing oral hygiene
- planning meals, including cooking, and safely eating meals and drinking liquids
- attending appointments
- shopping and paying bills
- engaging in local community activities
- being safe, with qualified first aid, mental health first aid, and CPR officers
- over night support including, sleepover and active sleepover shifts
How many people can I share supports with?
If you live with more than two other participants, there may be instances where you share support workers. This means that one disability support worker might assist two participants, including you, or two support workers might support a group of four participants, including yourself.
Will CSBS increase prices in case of a SIL vacancy?
CSBS will not increase your price in the event of a SIL Vacancy. We will work very hard to ensure the vacancy is filled, however, so that we can continue to provide supports for you and your housemates.
How will CSBS determine the level of Supports you need?
CSBS is proudly guided by the person-led approach, this means we work with you to co-design your supports. We will use our 4D model to workshop alongside you to discover, design, deliver and develop your supports. You can learn more about this process - HERE.
Can CSBS support people with high and complex needs in a SIL home?
We deliver high intensity daily personal activities (HIDPA) for people at home and in the community, including for people who have:
- diabetes
- nutrition
- epilepsy and high risk seizures
- complex wounds and pressure injuries
- medication administered by subcutaneous injections
- complex bowel problems
- a tracheostomy
- a stoma
- a urinary catheter
- a ventilator
- dysphagia and swallowing and eating difficulties, including PEG and tube feeding
Can CSBS support people with mobility issues?
Yes. We support people to access all parts of their home and community. We are experienced in supporting people with their mobility, including using a wheelchair and assistance in and out of bed and the bathroom with hoists.
FAQ's - NDIS Positive Behaviour Supports
What are Positive Behaviour Supports?
In simple terms, Positive Behaviour Supports are personalised and evidenced-based practices and activities that focus on the things a person likes to do – like going to the places they enjoy visiting and being with the people they like to be around.
What are restrictive practices?
Under the NDIS (Restrictive Practices and Behaviour Support) Rules 2018, certain practices are subject to regulation.
The use of restrictive practices (RP) to ‘address’ behaviours can be a serious breach of a person’s human rights – the use of RP is therefore embedded in legislation and regulated by both state and federal governments.
What is a behaviour support practitioner?
A Behaviour Support Practitioner (BSP) assesses a person’s needs and develops a Positive Behaviour Support Plan (PBSP) that includes respectful, person-focused, and strength-based strategies to build a person’s skills and improve their quality of life.
The strategies and activities in a person’s PBSP are based on the findings and assessment of a qualified professional called a Behaviour Support Practitioner. The practitioner is registered with the NDIS to assess a person’s needs and to develop a plan that includes respectful, person-focused, and strength-based strategies.
When a PBSP contains one or more restrictive practices, the finalised PBSP must be lodged with the NDIS as the regulating authority and providers must report on the use of all restrictive practices every time they are used.
What does a Behaviour Support Practitioner actually do?
When a person has a PBSP, it becomes the blueprint for how workers and other people interact within a person’s environment, so that person can live their best life.
Because there are no two plans alike, one of the key roles of the Behaviour Support Practitioner is to train, coach, and mentor the people who are important in a person’s life – that’s anyone who may have an impact in a person’s environment.
The training helps everyone to understand the person and their needs, as well as how to safely use the strategies in the PBSP – thisis an integral part of delivering positive behaviour supports.
What is a Behaviour Support Plan (PBSP)?
A Positive Behaviour Support Plan, also called a PBSP for short, is a plan that is developed in consultation with the person and the important people in that person’s life.
The strategies and activities in a person’s PBSP are based on the findings and assessment of a qualified professional called a Behaviour Support Practitioner. The practitioner is registered with the NDIS to assess a person’s needs and to develop a plan that includes respectful, person-focused, and strength-based strategies.
When a PBSP* contains one or more restrictive practices, the finalised PBSP must be lodged with the NDIS as the regulating authority and providers must report on the use of all restrictive practices every time they are used.
*A PBSP that does not contain the use of RP, does not need to be lodged with the NDIS Commission as it does not contain a regulatory requirement.
What are the types of restrictive practices?
- Seclusion: Seclusion is the confinement of a person with a disability to a room or physical space. Usually, this will mean that the movement of a person will be restricted and they are not able to voluntarily leave.
- Chemical restraint: Chemical restraint is the use of medications or chemical substances in order to influence behaviour. Chemical restraints include the use of sedatives and anti-anxiety drugs. Chemical restraint does not include medication prescribed by a doctor for the treatment of a diagnosed mental disorder, physical illness or physical condition.
- Mechanical restraint: Mechanical restraint is the use of a device that prevents, restricts, or subdues movement. This includes things like padded gloves or waist straps. It does not include devices used for therapeutic or non-behavioural purposes.
- Physical restraint: Physical restraint is the use of physical force to prevent or restrict a person’s body or a part of their body. This may include holding somebody’s arms or other limbs. It does not cover the use of a hands-on technique to guide or redirect a person away from potential harm or injury.
- Environmental restraint: Environmental restraint is the restriction of a person’s free access to all parts of their environment, including items or activities.