What is psychosocial disability?

Psychosocial disability is the term used to describe disabilities that may arise from mental health issues. Whilst not everyone who has a mental health issue will experience psychosocial disability, those that do can experience severe effects and social disadvantage. People with a significant disability that is likely to be permanent may qualify for NDIS support. Fill out the contact form below and ask us if you qualify.

 

What is recovery?

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The term ‘recovery’ is used widely throughout the mental health sector. It can have different meanings in different contexts.

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The NDIA defines recovery as achieving an optimal state of personal, social and emotional wellbeing, as defined by each individual, whilst living with or recovering from a mental health condition. When people talk about mental health recovery, they are actively seeking to create a contributing life, despite their mental health issues.

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Infinite Longevity Solutions is committed to ensuring that recovery and hope restoring recovery practice are supported for participants with psychosocial disability through the design and implementation of the NDIS.

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Importantly, we understand that hope and optimism are elements in recovery. Infinite Longevity Solutions provides:

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• Choice and control for participants: The road to recovery is best judged by the participant. Support includes capacity building for self-management, including choosing supports and who provides supports.

• With the assistance of NDIS, a lifetime commitment to supports and funding as required: Recovery is possible. The journey is personal and support when you need it is a key component of recovery.

• Increased independence and social and economic participation: Engaging with the community through social participation, education and employment helps build resilience and purpose. Infinite Longevity Solutions help participants increase their independence and social and economic participation. 

• Support for a partnership approach: Support provided by Infinite Longevity Solutions is disability focused but recovery oriented. It is connected to diverse supports as required.

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How does Infinite Longevity Solutions work with other systems?
 

At Infinite Longevity Solutions we work alongside existing government service systems, including health, education, housing and mental health specific treatment services.

People with mental health issues often require support from a range of sources such as community, family, friends, local or private mental health services and other mainstream systems. Infinite Longevity Solutions works closely and in partnership with these other support systems and does not necessarily replace them.

Health and mental health systems work with participants when they need clinical intervention or medical treatment. They deal with psychiatric conditions and mental illness. This includes: all medical and clinical services such as general practitioners, mental health treatment by psychiatrists or psychologists, care while admitted in hospital, in-patient and residential care, rehabilitation, medications and pharmaceuticals.
 

Along side the health system Infinite Longevity Solutions, when possible, refers to other health related services such as dieticians, qualified alternative medicine practices,  physiotherapists, dieticians, palliative care and nursing care.

Individuals and families sometimes also have a role in funding medical and clinical services, such as out of pocket expenses or gap payments. The NDIS does not cover these costs. Helping participants access the right parts of the service system when they need them can be part of a participant’s plan if required.

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                       What is a recovery coach? Christa Bidgood is Infinite Longevity Solutions' Recovery Coach
                              Christa in her capacity as a recovery coach is an NDIS funded worker that has mental health knowledge.

                              She will: 

                              *spend time with you, and people important to you, to get to know you and understand your needs 

                              *help you to find out about different services and supports, and how these can help you

                              *help you get support from mental health services

                              *help you better understand the NDIS and support you with the NDIS You can choose a recovery

                               coach with lived experience. ​

A recovery coach with lived experience has their own lived experience of mental ill health and recovery and are able

to use this experience to inform their work.

Who is eligible for NDIS recovery coach funding?
Generally recovery coach will be funded in NDIS plans for people with psychosocial support needs.

The choice of engaging a recovery coach is optional and generally is decided by the participant and their individual needs.

What are the costs to engage the services provided by a recovery coach?
A recovery coach costs $80.90 an hour in the day time during weekdays. Your NDIS planner or Local Area Coordinator can give you more information on the cost.

How many hours can I get?
The hours are based on the individual participants needs. Your Recovery Coach, NDIS planner and/or

Local Area Coordinator will work with you to decide on the number of hours you would need.

I currently have support coordination, how do I get a recovery coach?
You can speak to your support coordinator or contact the NDIS planner or Local Area Coordinator to find
out how to get a recovery coach. For most people we recommend that you have a recovery coach

because it is a better use of your NDIS plan. Depending on your plan or situation you may choose to have both.

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About Psychosocial Recovery
 

From July 2020, psychosocial recovery coaches (recovery coaches) are available to support NDIS participants with psychosocial disabilities to live a full and 

contributing life. Recovery coaches support participants to take more control of their lives and to better manage the complex challenges of day-to-day living. 

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Recovery coaches work collaboratively with NDIS participants, their families, carers and other services to design, plan and implement a recovery plan, and 

assist with the coordination of NDIS and other supports. 

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NDIS participants now have the option of selecting a recovery coach with lived experience or a recovery coach with learnt knowledge of psychosocial 

disability and mental health. 

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Recovery coaches have been developed in consultation with people with lived experience of mental health issues, families and carers of people with mental health issues

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Recovery coaching is a contemporary way of working with people with psychosocial disability. It combines the principles of recovery- orientated practice with coaching principles with the aim of assisting people to build on their strengths and increase their capacity to control of their lives. Recovery oriented practice acknowledges that recovery is not necessarily about a cure but rather assisting people to live a full and meaningful life.

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Psychosocial recovery coaches work collaboratively with participants, acknowledging that each person is an expert in their own life. Coaches work with the person to develop goals, hopes and aspirations. It is a strength-based approach that is underpinned by strong and respectful relationships. Each person’s journey is different. The recovery coaches also work in partnership with the NDIS participant’s clinical mental health services.

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For more information please read the NDIS Psychosocial Recovery Coach document. In this document you will find some great resources an outline of the role.

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The NDIA have stated that a recovery coach is responsible for:

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• Building strong relationships for recovery

• Supporting the person with their recovery planning

• Building personal capacity, including around motivation, strengths, resilience and decision making

• Collaborating with other systems of support to ensure they are all on the right track

• Supporting engagement with the NDIS

• Documentation and reporting 

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The recovery coach will be required to provide reports for the participants and NDIA. Reports should outline progress towards:

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• Recovery goals

• Fund utilization

• Linkages to services

• Changes in needs or circumstances

   

What kind of qualifications should a recovery coach have?

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It depends where you look. While the Price Guide states that recovery coaches “must have” certain qualifications, the recently released recovery coach guide is much softer in its language, stating qualifications are “recommended”. In both cases, the profile is the same: tertiary qualifications in peer work or mental health (minimum of Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work or Certificate IV in Mental Health) and/or a minimum two years of experience in mental health-related work.

 

Who will be funded for recovery coaching

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Participants with a primary diagnosis of psychosocial disability can request for this support to be put in their plan if it meets the reasonable and necessary criteria. Recovery coaching is not currently available to participants who have psychosocial disability as their secondary diagnosis.

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In a recent webinar, the Agency said that participants who are eligible for recovery coaching can already begin using their support coordination funding towards it. If the person has funding available, there is no need to wait until plan review time.