How to Advocate for Specialist Support Coordination in Your Plan Review

If your needs are complex, your supports are breaking down, or you’re facing significant life changes, Specialist Support Coordination (SSC) can make a critical difference.

But SSC is not automatically included in every plan - and many participants don’t realise they can actively advocate for it.

Here’s how to prepare, what to say, and how to strengthen your case at your next plan review.

First: Understand What Specialist Support Coordination Is

Specialist Support Coordination is designed for participants who:

• Have complex needs

• Face high-level risks

• Experience crisis or system breakdown

• Require multiple services to work together effectively

• Need specialist intervention to stabilise their situation

It’s not “extra help” - it’s targeted support to reduce risk, build stability and ensure your NDIS plan actually works in practice.

Step 1: Identify the Complexity in Your Situation

To advocate effectively, you need to clearly explain why your situation is complex.

Consider whether you are experiencing:

• Mental health instability

• Housing insecurity or homelessness risk

• Hospital admissions or crisis episodes

• Service provider breakdown

• Behaviour support needs

• Justice system involvement

• Child protection involvement

The more clearly you can show that your needs go beyond standard coordination, the stronger your case becomes.

Step 2: Gather Evidence Before Your Review

The NDIS makes decisions based on evidence. Bring documentation such as:

• Reports from allied health professionals

• Hospital discharge summaries

• Behaviour support plans

• Letters from current providers

• Incident reports

• Risk assessments

• Statements outlining previous service breakdowns

If you already have a Support Coordinator, ask them to prepare a progress report outlining:

• Barriers experienced

• Risks identified

• Why specialist-level intervention is required

• What could happen without higher-level support

Clear, written evidence significantly improves your chances.

Step 3: Be Clear About What’s Not Working

The NDIS looks closely at whether current supports are sufficient.

Be honest and specific about:

• Services that have disengaged

• Providers that cannot manage your complexity

• Gaps in coordination

• Repeated crisis events

• Failed referrals

If your plan looks adequate “on paper” but isn’t working in real life, say so and explain why.

Step 4: Show the Outcome SSC Will Achieve

NDIS decisions are outcome-focused.

Explain how Specialist Support Coordination will:

• Reduce hospital admissions

• Prevent homelessness

• Stabilise mental health

• Improve service collaboration

• Build long-term capacity

• Reduce crisis-driven costs

Framing SSC as a preventative investment - rather than an added expense - strengthens your argument.

Lastly, if It’s Declined, Ask for Reasons in Writing

If Specialist Support Coordination is not approved:

• Request written reasons for the decision

• Ask what additional evidence would be required

• Consider seeking support to request an internal review

Sometimes the issue isn’t eligibility - it’s insufficient documentation.

Final Thoughts…

Advocating for Specialist Support Coordination isn’t about asking for more - it’s about ensuring your plan is realistic, safe and sustainable.

If your life circumstances are complex, unstable or high risk, you deserve support that matches that reality.

Preparing properly, gathering evidence and using clear, risk-based language can make all the difference at your plan review.