A good referral gets behaviour support started sooner. This guide is for support coordinators, LACs, SIL providers and families who want to refer a participant for NDIS behaviour support.
Who can make a referral
Anyone working with the participant can start a referral, as long as the participant or their decision maker agrees. Most referrals come from support coordinators, but we also accept them from LACs, accommodation providers, allied health clinicians, families and participants themselves.
Check the funding first
Behaviour support is usually funded from Improved Relationships in the Capacity Building section of the plan, or as its own funded support in newer plans. Check there is enough funding for an assessment and a plan before you refer. If you are not sure, our guide on how behaviour support is funded explains where to look.
What to include
The more we know at the start, the faster we can begin. A useful referral includes:
- The participant's name, age, location and how best to contact them or their nominee
- A short description of the behaviours of concern, how often they happen and the impact on the person and others
- Any restrictive practices currently in use, even if they are informal
- Who is in the support team, including the accommodation or support provider
- Recent reports such as OT, psychology, speech pathology or previous behaviour support plans
- Any immediate risks we should know about before the first visit
Do not hold a referral back because you are missing some of this. We can gather the rest during intake.
Consent
We need the participant's consent, or consent from their guardian or decision maker, before we start. Let them know a referral is being made and why. We confirm consent again in writing through our service agreement.
What happens next
- We respond to the referrer and confirm whether we have capacity
- We send an intake form to collect plan, contact and background details
- We agree a service agreement and schedule of supports with the participant or their nominee
- We begin the functional behaviour assessment
Where restrictive practices are in use, we aim to complete an interim behaviour support plan within 1 month of engagement and a comprehensive plan within 3 months.
Make a referral
You can refer through the referral form on our website or by emailing admin@ftherapies.com.au.
This article is general information only and is not advice about a particular person's circumstances. NDIS funding arrangements change from time to time, so check the participant's plan and current NDIA guidance.
