HELPING YOU make the best of your child's ndis plan
Helping you find and coordinate providers, services and supports to make the most of your child's NDIS plan.
Best Start Support Coordination
Dedicated NDIS Support Coordination
I'm Steph Shanahan, a registered and committed NDIS Specialist Support Coordinator dedicated to helping you navigate the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) with ease and confidence. With a passion for enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities, I provide personalised support tailored to your child's unique needs and goals.
I have 30 years experience in the inclusion space. I have worked in primary, secondary and specialist educational settings in metropolitan, regional and remote areas sourcing and coordinating services to ensure young people with complex needs are able to access the services they require to meet their full potential.
I have a Master of Education - Special Education, Inclusion and Early Intervention and a Master of Education - Applied Behaviour Analysis (Neuroaffirming). I am registered with the Victorian Institute of Teaching and have a current Working with Children Check and Australian Federal Police Check.
ndis support coordination
I can help you understand:
- your child's support budgets and the kinds of things you can use your child's funding for
- how your child's funding is managed
- what other requirements need to be met to access these supports such as when quotes might be required, what can or cannot be claimed, how much can be claimed, and when service bookings are required.
I can help you plan and coordinate your child’s supports, including:
- help you decide how you would like your child's supports and services to be delivered
- ensure the service fits in your child's NDIS plan budget
- find providers who can meet your child's needs
- try different providers and new supports to see if they suit you and your child
- work with multiple providers.
I can help you connect to supports and services, including:
- find NDIS, community and other government services your child can access
- choose the right supports and services for your child
- connect you to providers and services that will help your child pursue their goals, including advocacy services if required.
Help you understand certain requirements for your supports, including:
- when you must choose NDIS registered providers
- when you can choose unregistered providers
- quality and safeguards arrangements – including making sure the provider hasn’t been banned by the NDIS Commission
- if you need any quotes, assessments or need to follow any processes – for example, where you need modifications to your home or car.
I can help you establish and maintain your child’s supports including:
- set up service agreements and service bookings which reflect what supports your child needs – for example, your support coordinator can help you to understand and negotiate what supports and services you want, how you want these to be delivered and what you pay for these supports and services
- understand what providers can and cannot charge – including travel and cancellation policies
- identify any problems that might stop you using your child's plan and how these can be fixed
- check how your current supports are working for your child
- create a plan for what to do when something goes wrong, like when a provider cancels or when you are not happy with the service
- find new providers or change providers to make sure your child continues to get the supports they need
- provide the NDIA with necessary reports.
Help you to build your capacity to:
- explore different ways you can exercise your choice and control
- help you communicate about how you prefer your child's supports to be delivered
- find providers who can meet your child's needs.