Choosing an NDIS Behaviour Support Provider: A Guide for Participants & Families
Choosing the right NDIS behaviour support provider is important for achieving meaningful outcomes. Services can differ in delivery, expertise, and approach. The industry culture is informed by quality reviews and standards.
This guide outlines key quality factors to consider when comparing providers. For the sake of learning we provide an easy comparison between two providers.
Provider 1 example demonstrates strengths. Provider 2 shows what is often available and could be improved.
Service Delivery
Personalisation
Provider 1: Tailored truly person-centred support plans developed by PhD-level clinicians with decades of real-life experience.
Provider 2: Standardised plans with less individualisation.
Service Scale
Provider 1: Limited caseloads with focus on relationship building with world-class quality to ensure focused attention.
Provider 2: Larger caseloads may reduce individual focus.
Delivery Mode
Provider 1: Primarily telehealth, no travel for clients, in-home access on your device, offering flexibility nationwide.
Provider 2: Combination of in-person and telehealth; may be location-limited.
Personalised therapy where you need it - in your home and daily life.
Expertise and Qualifications
Clinical Expertise
Provider 1: PhD-level clinicians with extensive experience with relevant specialisations.
Provider 2: Varies; may include psychologists, OTs, or social workers.
Specialisations
Provider 1: Person-centred experts with diverse specialisations and focus on complex cases and dual diagnoses.
Provider 2: Generalist approach across conditions.
Industry Recognition
Provider 1: Highly regarded for expert reports, clinical assessments, behaviour support plans, funding and plan reviews.
Provider 2: Recognition varies; may not specialise in complex cases.
Therapeutic Approaches
Therapy Modalities
Provider 1: Integral-cognitive-holistic, solution-focused outcomes, with creative methods (art, clay, gaming, symbols).
Provider 2: Primarily traditional talk therapy.
Innovative Techniques
Provider 1: Uses innovative methods to enhance engagement, learning, and personalised outcomes.
Provider 2: Standardised interventions.
Engagement Strategies
Provider 1: Focus on enjoyment, learning, empowerment, motivation, and positive life-changing outcomes.
Provider 2: Typically behaviour modification focused.
Personalised access to counselling and behavioural therapy now is critically important.
Accessibility and Support
Service Availability
Provider 1: Flexible scheduling often employed to meet client needs, with texting, video, and email access.
Provider 2: Fixed hours; flexibility may be limited.
Family Involvement
Provider 1: Active therapy-process engagement and guidance for parents, siblings, and families.
Provider 2: Family involvement varies; may be optional.
Geographic Reach
Provider 1: Services available nationwide via telehealth - while our Sydney timezone focus this a bit - this is adaptable.
Provider 2: Limited to specific regions.
Wherever you are - we are there with you. Therapy is not just person-centred, it meets real needs and nurtures change.
Conclusion
When you compare all the above quality indicators, you would probably choose Provider 1. Maybe Provider 2 sounds familiar in some or many ways. The point is to evaluate what you need and to seek a provider if you can who demonstrates more strengths.
Selecting an NDIS behaviour support provider or a counsellor for that matter involves considering service delivery, expertise, therapy approaches, and accessibility. There are many quality indicators that typify the industry - not just from the counselling and behaviour therapy sides.
These quality frameworks include the NDIS Commission Quality Standards Framework. Ask your provider how they square with the NDIS Quality Framework review and how they did on their last NDIS external audit.
Call to Action
To explore how ATS can support your family, please contact us or learn more about our services.