You should have complete choice and control over the assistance you receive as an NDIS member, and the same is true when it comes to selecting a plan manager. But, with so many possibilities, how do you know which organisations will provide you with the greatest service?
There are a number of factors that should contribute to your decision-making process – after all, every case is slightly different, so you’ll have to tailor your decision to your specific and immediate needs. However, there are some pointers and traits that are universally applicable for an effective and trustworthy plan manager.
This article will go over some of these traits, why they’re essential, as well as a quick how-to on finding the one that will represent you and your needs effectively.
3 Traits To Keep In Mind
When picking a plan manager, there are three factors to keep in mind:
Trust
Experienced Expertise
Empathy
Plan administration services are provided by a wide range of companies, from small accounting firms to disability service providers and specialised organisations. There are three traits to look for in a plan manager, regardless of the type of plan manager you want.
Trust
First and foremost, you must be able to put your trust in your plan manager to manage your NDIS budgets, provide you with impartial advice, and be entirely transparent with you about how your budgets are progressing. This may seem like a superfluous point, but it is an underrated and often undervalued trait for anyone handling NDIS related issues, they’ll have a direct hand in your treatment so ensuring you have an element of trust at all times is essential.
Experienced Expertise
The last thing you’d want in a plan manager, is one that is unprepared or unable to facilitate the complex needs of each client. This often comes hand in hand with their level of experience and expertise in the navigation and execution of relevant tasks. Knowing the ins and outs of the complicated structure of the NDIS cannot be overlooked, and weighted advice from knowledgeable experts will ensure you get the most out of your NDIS fund allocation.
Empathy
A little support goes a long way, especially with a plan manager that is good at what they do. It’s very important to find someone who has the skillsets that lay beyond the clinical and administrative – there is an element of empathy that should be present for effective representation to occur. Someone who understands the common stressors that tend to pop up, being able to explain complexities clearly, and for general support.
Keeping these 3 traits in mind when searching will make your decision all the easier, as these traits typically manifest themselves quite early and with a degree of assurance and certainty.
The Search Begins
There’s no other way to put it, research has a part to play in this step of the journey. When looking for a plan manager, it’s important to remember that there is an option to take care of the details yourself, and self-management is not out of the wheelhouse. However, be wary that if you elect to be your own plan manager, you will not have access to the expertise of a trained professional.
If you’re looking for a plan manager, the best place to begin your search is by asking trusted confidantes and family who have used a service in the past for their NDIS issues and see if they recommend anyone. If that doesn’t produce any fruitful results, it may be time to jump back on the internet and begin researching through trusted sites and portals.