What the NDIS means for family and carers

Published at 15-04-2024 13:00:00

What the NDIS means for family and carers

The NDIS understands that the role of families and carers is often one of the most important ones in supporting individuals with disabilities. They are often the best advocates, providing emotional and practical support as well as playing a big role in helping participants join the NDIS and set their goals. Because of this, it is important that families and carers are included in discussions about supports so that we can all help the participant to realise their goals together.

How the NDIS can support carers

The NDIS offers different types of support to make sure families and carers are well-equipped to deliver effective and compassionate care. These may include:

Enhanced support and resources: Family members and carers can access professional assistance, such as counselling or support groups to help manage the physical and emotional strain they may experience from caregiving. These supports can also allow them to focus more on themselves and their relationship with the participant, rather than just their care needs.

Respite care opportunities: The NDIS may include funding for respite care, which provides time for carers to take a break from their caregiving responsibilities. Respite care offers carers the chance to rest and recharge, giving them some time to focus on their personal well-being to be able to continue providing ongoing support.

Access to information and training: Capacity Building Supports can help fund resources and training programs to help families and carers better understand and manage the participant's needs. This can include different areas such as the use of assistive technology, understanding a specific disability and behaviour management.

Support coordination: Support coordinators can be a big help in assisting carers with navigating the NDIS system and connecting with the appropriate services.

Financial support: In most cases, families and friends are considered 'informal supports' and are not provided funding to support participants. However, under exceptional circumstances such as a participant exhausting all other options or living in a remote area with no services available, the NDIS may provide financial assistance to families or carers. If you believe this may apply to you, it is best to speak with the NDIA directly to talk about your circumstances.

In deciding whether to fund or provide a support, the NDIS will take into account what is reasonably expected of families, carers and other informal supports.

Support for carers from outside of the NDIS

In addition to the support provided by the NDIS, there are other government supports and supports from other agencies that are available to carers. These extra resources can help to alleviate some of the challenges associated with caregiving and provide some additional support to ensure the well-being of both carers and those they care for.

Government programs:

Carer Gateway

Carer Gateway is an Australian Government initiative that provides a range of services and support for carers. Some of the services they offer include counseling, peer support, respite care and financial assistance. Carers can also access practical information and resources to help them in their role.

You can find more information about their services by visiting their website here

Services Australia

Services Australia offers services and financial support for eligible carers through different payments and allowances. Some of these might include the Carer Payment, Carer Allowance and Carer Supplement. If you are caring for a child, you may be eligible for the Child Disability Assistance payment or Carer Adjustment Payment. These payments can help to ease the financial burden of caregiving.

You can find more detailed information on the eligibility for these payments and the types of support they offer here: support for carers

Non-Governmental organisations:

Carers Australia

Carers Australia is a national organisation that represents and advocates for the rights and needs of carers across the country. They provide information, support, services and advocacy to improve the lives of carers. Carers Australia also offers training programs and resources to help carers to manage their responsibilities.

You can find out more on here on the Carers Australia Website 

The Carer Foundation

The Carer Foundation is a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting the physical, emotional and mental wellbeing of carers. They offer various programs and workshops such as counselling sessions, stress management and mental health resilience workshops and healing therapies. Meaningful social connections can be developed too, as they aim to help carers reduce feelings of burnout and isolation.

You can find out how to register here on the Carer Foundation Website 

Community support services:

Local carer support groups

Many local communities have support groups for carers, providing a platform to share experiences and gain support from others in similar situations.

These groups can provide a safe space to offer emotional support, practical advice and promote social interaction. We would recommend you to contact your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or NDIS Planner that supports the participant to see which supports are available within your local community.

Additional tips for carers

Build a support network

Sharing experiences, tips, advice and support can provide emotional relief for carers. It is important for carers to connect with other carers and families in similar situations. Support groups, both online and in-person, can be a big help.

Utilise available resources

Take advantage of the training, counseling and other support services that are offered. These resources are designed to help! By learning how to manage your duties more effectively, enhance your skills and using emotional support available, carers can still prioritise and maintain their own health and well-being.

Communicate openly

Maintaining clear and honest communication with the person you care for, NDIS professionals as well as your other support networks can benefit greatly. Open communication ensures that everyone's needs and concerns are understood and addressed. It also helps in creating a coordinated care plan that works best for everyone involved!

Take care of your own health

It can become easily stressful and hard to find time for yourself when caring for another person, but remember that caring for yourself enables you to provide better care for others! Remember to prioritise your own physical and mental health by regularly checking in with yourself and taking time for self-care. This can help to prevent burnout and ensures that you can continue your caregiving role effectively.