Life transitions such as leaving educational institutions, shifting to independent living arrangements, and ageing parents withdrawing from caregiving duties rank among some of the most stressful experiences for people who are on the NDIS. This guide is aimed at providing information regarding NDIS life stage transition support which is available for such situations.

What is NDIS life stage transition support?

Transition in NDIS life stages support (officially known as Assist-Life Stage, Transition) is a support type that provides financial assistance to NDIS participants who are going through a big change in their lives – such as completing schooling, moving into independent or supported accommodation, starting working, or transferring from one type of care to another. This support type pays a qualified support worker/coordinator for assisting participants in preparing for these life milestones.

What Life Transitions Does the NDIS Fund Support For?

The NDIS understands that significant transitions place individuals with a disability at high risk of becoming vulnerable. At the point where all these three factors change, there is always a potential for a support gap or crisis to occur. This is where transition support funding comes into play.

School leaver transitions

Transition from year 12 to life beyond school, which involves day programs, employment options, tertiary education, and independent living. One of the most complicated NDIS transitions.

Moving to independent living

Moving from one’s family home to live independently or in supported accommodation (SIL/SDA). Includes planning, coordination and settling-in assistance.

Ageing carer transitions

This occurs when the parent or carer themselves is no longer able to give the same level of care due to their own old age, sickness or even death.

Employment transitions

Initiating, modifying or terminating an employment situation – such as supported employment, open employment readiness and support modifications related to employment scheduling.

Between care arrangements

Moving around residential facilities, changes in providers of SIL service, or moving back into the community from hospital or residential care.

NDIS plan transitions

Major plan reviews or NDIS first plans in cases where there are major changes happening with support and need for transitional period of guidance is required.

School Leaver Transitions – The Most Critical NDIS Transition

For many families, the biggest NDIS challenge that comes with leaving school at the end of year 12 is by far the most difficult one. This is because schools offer a structure which has been designed around the needs of students and includes many support systems such as teachers and therapists.

However, without the proper planning, individuals will be faced with the problem of a very sharp transition. Plans that have been made for a person who is still in school will not cover all of their needs related to being an adult such as day programs, employment, and independent living.

The best way to make this transition smooth is to start preparing for it early on, possibly already in year 10 or 11, and with the help of an NDIS specialist who will work on it. The most important parts of such a plan are:

• Requesting a plan review in year 11 to update NDIS goals toward post-school life
• Identifying and trialling day programs, employment services or further education options before year 12 ends
• Exploring independent living or SIL options if the participant will not continue living in the family home
• Connecting with transition support workers who specialise in school leaver transitions
• Building the participant’s capacity and independence skills ahead of the transition

Moving to Independent Living – How NDIS Transition Support Helps

Moving out of the family home is a major milestone for any person with disability – and one that requires significant coordination of NDIS supports, accommodation, and daily routines. NDIS life stage transition funding can cover:

• Support to explore and visit SIL accommodation options across south-east Melbourne
• Coordination between the participant, family, SIL provider and support workers
• A settling-in period with additional support hours during the first weeks in new accommodation
• Practical assistance with the physical move – packing, transport and setting up a new home
• Emotional and psychological support during the adjustment period

Guardian Disability Services is registered to deliver relevant SIL and life stage transition supports across south-east Melbourne. Individual service arrangements depend on participant requirements and current capacity.

Guardian Disability Services provides NDIS life stage transition support across south-east Melbourne including Dandenong, Pakenham, Cranbourne, Berwick and Narre Warren.

When Ageing Carers Can No Longer Provide Care

The most emotionally challenging transitions within the NDIS system occur when the parent or family carer, who has been providing the main care throughout the life of the person with disability, reaches the point when he or she can no longer do it. This is mostly due to the fact that the carer himself/herself grows old and cannot provide support anymore, gets hospitalized, or in the most tragic cases, dies.

Such transitions require careful and expert management. In this case, the participant is usually very upset, all the routine falls apart, and there is no transition plan at all. The experts from Guardian have experience in dealing with ageing carer transitions. Complex or unexpected transitions may require coordinated planning between the participant, family, support coordinator and appropriate service providers to reduce potential gaps in support.

If you are a carer approaching this stage, the best action is to plan ahead – while you are still able to participate in the planning process. Guardian can work with you, your family member and your support coordinator now to document routines, preferences and support needs so that any transition – planned or unplanned — is as smooth as possible.

Timeline – How to Plan an NDIS Transition

12–24 months before transition

Determine the transition that lies ahead. Talk to your support coordinator. Start investigating options – post-school options, living options, job options. No decisions made yet, just investigation.

12 months before transition

NDIS Plan Review Request with Transition Goals. Transition Funding should be part of the new plan. Start attending and testing out the providers or services prior to the transition date.

6 months before transition

Verify choice of providers and accommodation arrangements. Have contracts signed for services. Make sure the individual becomes acquainted with new support staff or environment. Start developing a level of trust in the new environment.

Transition month

The formal transition takes place. More support hours available during the initial weeks. Regular follow-ups between the participant, family members, support workers, and coordinator to prevent problems.

3 months post-transition

Review how the transition process went. Adjust the supports if necessary. Ensure that the participant is settled, the goals are being worked on, and the support group is working effectively. End the transition process.

Frequently Asked Questions – NDIS Life Stage Transition Support