Outlining clear goals (short and long-term) during your planning meeting or plan review meeting is the foundation for creating an NDIS plan to suit your needs. Your goals help to determine what supports you can purchase during your planning period. Using this how to guide, you’ll be able to set NDIS goals like a pro.
Consider what’s important to you
When making your NDIS goals, you should reflect on what is important to you in your life. This will be different to everyone. And it may take some time to fully consider everything that’s important to you. A great way to keep track of these ideas is to note them down. That way you’ll be able to access them easily and make adjustments or additions as needed.
You can use the list below to help inspire your goals:
Finding and keeping a job
Improving relationships with friends, family and your community
Improving communication with friends, family and your community
Living more independently
Getting involved in social and recreational activities
Improving your health and wellbeing
Building confidence around public transport or learning to drive
Developing new skills
Once you know what it important to you, you can turn those ideas into actionable goals.
Create actionable goals
Turning your list of what’s important to you into actionable goals you can share with your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or NDIA planner can be easier than you may think.
For example:
If you want to live more independently, your goal might be “to find employment to earn independent income”.
Your goals should be based on the list of what is important to you, but they should also relate to your disability in some way.
Try to have 2-3 short term goals and 3-5 long term goals ready for your planning meeting or plan review meeting.
Ask questions
Whether you’re applying for the NDIS for the first time or are having your scheduled plan review, ensuring you have clearly outlined your goals (and updated them if you’ve achieved goals throughout your planning period) can be a big help when it comes to developing your plan and determining how much plan funding may be allocated. This is why it’s important to ask questions if you have them. There are plenty of people who can offer assistance, whether that’s your family or friends, an LAC or NDIA planner, your Support Providers, your Support Coordinator or your Plan Manager – we are here to help.
Read more about the benefits of working with an independent, professional Plan Manager. Alternatively, contact our friendly team on 1300 322 273 or support@first2care.com.au.