Affinity Care WA

A beautiful day starts with beautiful smiles 😊

Today, S and A shared a special gift exchange - showing off their creative talents with diamond art and handmade cards. But beyond the gifts, what shone through most was the genuine love and friendship they share as housemates.

We're so grateful to have S and A as part of our SIL community, and to be able to support such amazing people every day.

Moments like these remind us why we do what we do, and keep us motivated to keep providing the best care and support for the people we love working with. 💛

Not sure what the NDIS will and won't fund? You're not alone. 💜

The NDIA has a published guide on this that's been around for a while, but many participants and families still haven't seen it. There are more than 30 categories of supports the NDIS can fund and 15 broad categories it can't.

✅ Examples of what the NDIS CAN fund

- Help with daily personal activities and household tasks
- Support coordination and plan management
- Therapy and allied health supports for your disability
- Assistive technology like mobility, communication and vision equipment
- Home and vehicle modifications
- Community participation and life skills development
- Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)

❌ Examples of what the NDIS can't fund

- Rent, mortgage, groceries and utility bills
- Standard furniture, appliances, phones, tablets and internet
- Holidays, airfares, petrol and buying a vehicle
- Gym memberships, event tickets and pets (other than assistance animals)
- Medical and hospital treatment, which sit with the health system
- School fees, tuition and childcare
- Non-evidence-based therapies like reiki or crystal therapy

💡 A helpful tip: it often comes down to whether something is a standard everyday living cost or a disability-related support. A standard item usually isn't funded, but a modified or adaptive version that meets your disability needs may be.

Before you spend your funding, check the full lists and talk with your Support Coordinator, Plan Manager or planner. It can save a lot of stress later.

👉 Read the full guide here: https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/using-your-funding/understanding-your-ndis-funding/what-are-ndis-supports

Please share this with someone who might find it useful.

What are NDIS supports | NDIS They are services, items and equipment the NDIS can fund.

Soaking up the sunshine and smashing goals☀️

Our wonderful participant, W, had a perfect Friday morning at Rockingham Jetty today with his support worker.

The day started at home with W preparing breakfast before heading out to make the most of the beautiful Perth weather. Together, they walked the jetty, took in the coastal views, and even scoped out the best spots for a future fishing trip! The perfect day continued with exploring the beachfront shops and ticking off plenty of steps toward W's daily fitness goals.

Independent living skills, community connection, and great times all in one day.

Well done W ✌️

Our beach wheelchair program is back this October! ♿

The Sandcruiser beach wheelchair will once again be available for free hire at Quinns Beach, helping people with mobility challenges enjoy easier access to the sand and coastline.

Thank you to our supporters and partners Surf Life Saving WA and Quinns Mindarie Surf Life Saving Club for helping to provide this valuable service.

Find out more: wanneroo.wa.gov.au/beachwheelchairs

Seen a bigger smile than this?! 😄

C is all smiles enjoying a fun game of Uno with one of our amazing support workers, right at home in her SIL. By the look on her face, she's either winning or about to drop a Draw 4 on someone. 😂

This is what a good day looks like!

💛 𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐑 𝐔 𝐎𝐊? 𝐃𝐚𝐲.

We spend our days checking in on the people we support but today's a good reminder that everyone around us could probably use the same. Our colleagues. Our families. The mate who always seems "fine." You never really know what someone's carrying.

You don't need the perfect thing to say. Just ask, then actually listen.

It is all about learning how to ask, listening, encouraging action and checking in: https://www.ruok.org.au/how-to-ask

A conversation could be the difference for someone. So ask the question, and mean it.

How to ask "Are you OK?" | R U OK? R U OK? is a su***de prevention charity encouraging Australians to start life-changing conversations, when they're needed most. Four simple steps guide you to ask "Are you OK?", and help someone in need safely and comfortably. A conversation can change a life.

📢 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝟒𝟕𝐀, 𝐒𝟒𝟖 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬

With recent changes to NDIS legislation and processes, you may have come across terms such as S47A, S48 and S100.

Understanding the difference can help you know what options may be available when your circumstances, support needs or NDIS plan change.

𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟒𝟕𝐀 (𝐒𝟒𝟕𝐀) – 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐕𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

A Plan Variation is generally used when only part of your current plan needs to change, without replacing the whole plan.

For example, this may involve changes to your goals, statement of supports, funding arrangements or other specific parts of your plan.

𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟒𝟖 (𝐒𝟒𝟖) – 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

A Plan Reassessment may be appropriate when there has been a significant change in your circumstances or ongoing support needs and your current plan no longer meets your needs.

A participant, plan nominee or child representative needs to submit the completed plan reassessment request and supporting evidence to the NDIS. A provider cannot submit this request on the participant's behalf.

𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟏𝟎𝟎 (𝐒𝟏𝟎𝟎) – 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧

If you disagree with a reviewable NDIS decision, you may be able to request an internal review.

This is different from asking for a change to your plan. For example, if the NDIS decides not to vary your plan, not to undertake a plan reassessment, or makes another reviewable decision that you disagree with, an internal review may be an option.

This request is within 3 months of the decision.

💡 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭?

These processes are different, and knowing the difference can help you understand what you are asking the NDIS to do and what information or evidence may be relevant.

You can still seek help to understand the process. The NDIS advises that participants can speak with their my NDIS contact, Support Coordinator, family, nominee or other appropriate people for assistance.

At Affinity Care WA, we understand that navigating NDIS processes can sometimes be confusing.

If you are unsure whether you may need a S47A Plan Variation, S48 Plan Reassessment or S100 Internal Review, we are happy to offer a Free Consultation to help you understand the different pathways and what you may need to consider.

There is no obligation to use our services. Our aim is simply to provide clear information and help participants, families and guardians feel more confident navigating the NDIS.

📚 𝐔𝐬𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐒 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬

🔗 Guide to Changing Your Plan
https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/changing-your-plan/types-plan-changes/guide-changing-your-plan

🔗 What is a Plan Variation?
https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/changing-your-plan/types-plan-changes/what-plan-variation

🔗 What is a Plan Reassessment?
https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/changing-your-plan/types-plan-changes/what-plan-reassessment

🔗 Guide to Decision Reviews
https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/changing-your-plan/decision-reviews/guide-decision-reviews

🔗 How to Request a Review of a Decision
https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/changing-your-plan/decision-reviews/how-request-review-decision

📩 Need some guidance?

If you have questions about your NDIS plan or aren't sure which pathway may apply to your situation, we're happy to have a conversation.

https://affinitycarewa.com.au/book-consultation/

Book a Consultation for NDIS Support - Affinity Care Schedule your consultation with our NDIS support team — tailored plans for accommodation, home care and community participation.

The new SIL Practice Standards from the NDIS Commission came into effect this year, with a stronger focus on the training and skills workers need to support people well in their own homes.

At Affinity Care WA, we're working through training in the areas the new standards call out including supported decision-making, safeguarding and de-escalation, and helping participants understand their tenancy and service agreement rights.

We back these changes because at the end of the day, they're about participants getting better support. If it means our participants feel safer with the people supporting them, and it helps push the NDIS in the right direction for everyone down the track, then we're all for it 💪

Call now to connect with business.

🎉 Happy 55th Birthday, JP! 🎂

This week, our team had the pleasure of celebrating JP’s 55th birthday at his supported accommodation with cake, smiles, laughter and great company. 💙

A beautiful day celebrating JP, making memories and enjoying the simple joy of being together.

Happy Birthday, JP! Wishing you a wonderful year ahead. 🎈