What’s the difference between a Psychosocial Recovery Coach and a Support Coordinator ?
The roles of a Psychosocial Recovery Coach and a Support Coordinator overlap in some areas, but they have distinct purposes and areas of expertise within the NDIS framework.
Psychosocial Recovery Coach
Focus Mental health recovery through coaching AND connection with providers that meet your needs
Expertise Specialist in mental health and psychosocial disability
Approach Recovery-oriented coaching, capacity-building AND service coordination
Eligibility Only for those with psychosocial disabilities
Qualification / Experience Required tertiary qualification or lived / learned experience with mental illness
Duration of Support More intensive and long-term relationship-based support
Supports Provided Goal-setting, resilience-building, mental health service navigation including referrals AND navigating NDIS plans, connecting with other service providers
Support Coordinator
Focus Connecting participants with supports and services
Expertise Broad support coordination
Approach Service coordination
Eligibility Available to many NDIS participants
Qualifications or Lived Experience Not required
Duration of Support Often task-focused and shorter term
Supports Provided Navigating NDIS plans, connecting with providers
A participant with Psychosocial Recovery Coaching in their plan will typically not require a Support Coordinator as well.
Participants with complex needs or high levels of risk may be eligible for Specialist Support Coordination and this will be specifically noted in their NDIS plan.
Specialist Support Coordinator
Focus Connecting participants with multiple stakeholders and services
Expertise Complex needs or high level risk
Approach Expert or specialist approach that resolves barriers
Eligibility Only for those funded for Specialist Support Coordination
Qualification / Experience Required e.g. Psychologist or Allied Health Provider
Duration of Support More intensive and time limited
Supports Provided Design Complex Service Plan, connecting with providers, build capacity and resilience