Disability Support Services Victoria: Choosing Support
Choosing disability support services in Victoria begins with a simple inquiry: How can my daily life function more effectively for me?
I might need help with my morning activities, support to engage within my community, or help in managing the day-to-day household activities. I could be seeking services from different providers for the first time, or trying to change the current arrangement, or simply assist someone in choosing what is best for them.
An initial discussion will cover both what I prefer as well as what I require. In what situations do I need support? What things would I like to continue doing on my own? With whom would I like to make decisions?
This guide will explain what kinds of support can be provided and how to choose from different providers.
What can disability support involve?
Support can look different from one person to another. It may involve someone assisting with a task, working alongside you, or helping you practise a skill at your own pace.
Personal activities and daily routines
Personal support could include assistance in bathing, getting dressed, maintaining one’s hygiene, cooking or movement within the house.
In relation to personal care, discuss how you would like assistance to be rendered. This could include the sequence of your morning rituals, how the worker is supposed to explain the process or how comfortable you feel when someone enters your house.
Bliss’s personal activities assistance page includes assistance in personal hygiene, mobility, meal preparation, and other activities. Discuss with the team the type of help they can render in your situation.
Household tasks
Household assistance could come in handy for chores such as cleaning and doing the laundry, among others.
It will do well if you were to state your preferences instead of simply asking for help with the “housework”. Maybe you need some assistance every week for your laundry, or perhaps you want the kitchen arranged in a manner that suits you.
You should also consider how you would like your tasks to be done – either have them done for you or have them done together with your helper. Bliss has some information on the household tasks assistance provided by their organization. Bliss Disability Care Services
Community and social participation
Community help might include being helped out to shop, see your family, participate in activities or spend time at places where you like to go.
It is best to begin with your personal interests. What might be considered fun by one person can be stressful for another person.
Bliss provides community and social participation help in helping people to have a good time out in the community by going shopping and visiting others.
Other support options
The range of Bliss’s service overview also provides information on community nursing, support coordination, activities of daily living and skill development, group activities, transport and supported independent living.
Each of these services has its own purpose. Find out which service suits you best, how it is structured, and whether it is available at the moment. It is important to remember that the presence of a certain service on the website does not guarantee availability at the moment.
How to compare disability support services in Victoria?
The list of services offered by the provider can be considered a good start point. What comes next is learning more about how the support will fit your needs.
Consider your preferences first
Prior to approaching different providers, list two or three items that you wish the support to help you with. Specific details are helpful:
- “I need help with getting prepared without being rushed.”
- “I would like to visit an event of my choice.”
- “I need help keeping the laundry under control.”
State your preferred days, communication preferences and other information which workers should know. If you wish to involve your family member, caregiver or support coordinator, describe how.
Check location and availability early
“Services in Victoria” can cover a very large geographical area. Check whether the service provider offers the required support service in your suburb/postcode.
Bliss is located in Pakenham, and its About page mentions support services in Pakenham and its vicinity. Clarify whether your suburb/postcode is supported by contacting the company. Bliss Disability Care Services
Make sure to clarify the timing of when support services will be provided. While one provider might offer services in your suburb/postcode, their schedule and other requirements may differ.
Clarify the starting date for the service and any waiting period.
Discuss worker suitability and continuity
Inquire as to how the match between the worker and the participant takes place and whether it would be possible for you to see the suggested worker before commencing the support.
Also inquire about your relevant preferences (communication style, language preference, cultural requirements, or any other). Is it possible to accommodate your preferences?
Another area of inquiry is continuity. Which worker normally attends? What will happen if that worker is unavailable? How will you be informed about your new worker?
For activities which require specific skill sets, ask how the service provider makes sure that the worker has the required ability to provide support.
Understand costs before agreeing
Ask for a detailed account of the rate and any other costs involved, including travel, transport, or cancellation costs.
Ask for an example of the cost of your proposal. This will make it easier to know what would happen during a typical week.
According to the NDIS, a service agreement should be made where participants and providers know how they will relate. Service agreements are mandatory for some supports such as SIL or SDA. Talk about the services, costs, payments, and how any changes will be made. Consult the NDIS information on selecting and finding a provider.
Questions to ask before choosing a provider
You do not need to cover everything in one phone call. These questions can help you compare the answers:
- Do you provide this support in my suburb?
- Can you offer my preferred days and times?
- How do you match a worker with my needs and preferences?
- Can I meet the worker before support starts?
- What happens if my usual worker is unavailable?
- What are the rates and possible additional charges?
- How do I change, pause or end an arrangement?
- How can I raise a concern or request a different worker?
Keep a short note of each provider’s response. If an answer is unclear, ask for it in writing or request another explanation.
Does NDIS funding cover the support?
Just because a service provider provides various services does not mean that all of them will be covered by your plan. NDIS funding should only be spent on NDIS supports according to your plan, regardless of how you spend it. Review your planned agreement with respect to your funding before.
With NDIA-managed funding, you are required to use registered providers. Self-managed and plan-managed clients usually have the option to select from both registered and unregistered providers, but certain types of supports are to be provided by registered providers. The present NDIS guidelines include the provision of specialist behaviour.
The NDIS Commission provider register has a list of all the approved registrations of Bliss. You can ask them to make sure that the service you are seeking falls under their scope.
If you are unsure about funding, speak with your my NDIS contact or your support coordinator, if you have one. Asking a provider about support does not establish eligibility for the NDIS or approval for additional funding.
Does NDIS funding cover the support?
Do not take it for granted that all services provided by an organization can be funded under your plan. NDIS funds should only be utilized for NDIS supports according to your plan, no matter who manages the funds. Compare the proposed agreement with your allocation before accepting it. NDIS.
When it comes to NDIA-managed plans, one should use only registered providers. Participants of self-managed and plan-managed NDIS support packages usually have the option of using either registered or unregistered providers, except for certain types of supports where it is necessary to use only registered providers. Presently, NDIS.
The registration of Bliss has been approved by the NDIS Commission. Please ask the team if the specific service you require is covered by the scope of their activities.
In case of any confusion regarding funding, please consult with your My NDIS contact or your support coordinator in case you have one. Discussion with a service provider on support issues does not make you eligible for the NDIS or for more funding.
What should respectful support look like?
Your support services need to accommodate your preferences in relation to privacy and communication.
To put it simply, you may request from a staff member to clarify their actions, talk about personal information sharing, and notify the service provider when the agreement is unsuitable for you.
The NDIS Code of Conduct addresses registered and unregistered NDIS providers and workers. Individual rights, privacy, and competent support services are some of the obligations stipulated by the code. Service providers cannot harass you for raising concerns and complaints. NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
Ask prior to the delivery of the services about who will be dealing with complaints and how to contact that person. Moreover, you may contact the NDIS Commission about concerns in relation to the safety and quality of the NDIS supports.
A practical example of planning support
Hypothetical example — not a Bliss client story: Alex wants assistance preparing meals and going shopping once a week. Alex enjoys choosing recipes and ingredients but finds carrying groceries and organising the kitchen difficult.
A useful discussion would cover the parts Alex wants to do independently, the tasks requiring assistance, transport arrangements and the time needed. The provider would also need to confirm worker availability and explain costs.
The example shows why a broad label such as “daily living support” is only the beginning. The details help everyone understand what the agreed support should involve.
Frequently asked questions
Bliss is based in Pakenham and describes support in Pakenham and surrounding areas. Contact the team with your postcode and required service to confirm coverage and availability.
Yes, you can begin by describing what you would like help with. Ask the team which services may be relevant and what information is needed to explore a suitable arrangement. An enquiry does not confirm funding or availability.
Review your current agreement’s notice and cancellation terms. Confirm the new provider’s start date and arrangements so you understand how the change will work.
Talk to Bliss about your support needs
Whether you are exploring support for yourself or helping someone compare options, start with a conversation about what matters to them.
Contact Bliss Disability Care Services
