Families and support coordinators often ask whether a participant's plan includes funding for behaviour support, and where to find it. The answer depends on when the plan was made. This article explains where to look, what the funding covers and what to do if it is not there.
Where to find it in the plan
In many plans, behaviour support is funded from Improved Relationships, which sits in the Capacity Building section of the plan.
In plans made under the NDIS's newer planning arrangements, behaviour support may be listed as its own funded support instead. If you are not sure which applies, check the plan's budget summary, or ask the participant's support coordinator, LAC or plan manager.
Behaviour support funding is usually a stated support. That means it can only be used for behaviour support and cannot be moved to pay for other supports.
What the funding covers
Specialist behaviour support funding usually covers:
- the functional behaviour assessment
- writing the interim and comprehensive behaviour support plans
- training families, carers and support workers to use the plan
- monitoring how the plan is working, and reviewing it
- reports, including reports the NDIA may need at plan reassessment
The service agreement should set out what will be delivered and how it will be charged, so there are no surprises.
Who can provide it
Specialist behaviour support must be delivered by a provider registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission for that support, through a practitioner the Commission has assessed as suitable. This applies whether the plan is agency managed, plan managed or self managed. You can check a provider on the NDIS Commission's provider register.
If the plan has no behaviour support funding
If a participant needs behaviour support and their plan does not include it, it is worth acting early, particularly where behaviours are putting the person or others at risk or restrictive practices are in use.
- Talk with the support coordinator or LAC about the participant's needs.
- Gather evidence, such as incident records, letters from treating professionals and reports from current providers.
- Contact the NDIA about a plan change. Depending on how much the person's needs have changed, the NDIA may vary the plan or arrange a reassessment.
Making the funding last
A clear service agreement and a realistic plan for the year help funding last. We discuss the expected hours with participants and their teams at the start, and we keep them informed as the work progresses.
If you are not sure whether a plan includes behaviour support funding, send the referral anyway and we will help work it out.
This article is general information only and is not advice about a particular person's circumstances. NDIS funding arrangements change from time to time, so check the participant's plan and current NDIA guidance.
