NDIA’s Complex Support Needs Pathway

3 people beneath a speech bubble showing a change icon.

The NDIA updated the Reference Group about its work on the Complex Support Needs Pathway.

We just call it the Pathway.

An older person supporting someone in a wheelchair and a change icon.

The Pathway offers support for participants who have different challenges that affect their lives.

The Pathway started in 2018.

An NDIS worker supporting a participant beneath a tick.

Reference Group members agreed that the Pathway helps people to:

  • find and use the NDIS
  • manage their supports.

A participant raising their hand next to an arrow pointing to a thumbs up.

It also helps participants to have a better experience.

A person beneath a speech bubble showing a healthcare icon.

The Pathway has a team that gives them advice about health care.

Members agree that this team are good at how they manage the way some things are handled.

A behaviour support plan document and a locked padlock.

This includes:

  • behaviour support plans – a plan with steps for improving behaviour.
  • restrictive practices.

A person in restraints next to a lock padlock.

Restrictive practices are actions that stop people from:

  • moving
  • doing what they want.

A person raising their hand next to an information icon and a safety icon.

For example, making sure people use restrictive practices:

  • to keep people safe
  • only when they need to.

An NDIS worker reading a document. Above them is a thought bubble showing an information icon.

Members explained there is a need to look at information on how different people are supported in the Pathway.

This includes:

3 First Nations people beneath the Aboriginal flag and Torres Strait Islander flag.

  • First Nations people

A group of people from different backgrounds.

  • people from different backgrounds.

2 people shaking hands.

The Pathway should work to build trust with people from these communities.

An NDIS worker supporting a crying participant.

And the Pathway should do this in a way that:

  • thinks about the trauma they have experienced
  • makes sure they have support when they have experienced trauma.

An NDIS worker having a conversation with a person from the government.

Members shared they want more information about how the Pathway will communicate with other government supports that are not part of the NDIS.

A map of Australia showing the states and territories next to a change icon.

Each state and territory have different:

  • rules
  • governments.

3 participants, a map of Australia and a change icon.

Members explained that this is a challenge for participants across Australia who want to use the Pathway.

3 children beneath a safety icon.

Members explained that it’s important to make sure that children are safe in the Pathway.

For example, transgender children.

An icon of a person next to their birth certificate. On their birth certificate is a symbol for male, while they have their hand raised with a speech bubble. In the speech bubble is a symbol for female.

If you are transgender, your gender identity is different now to what you were given when you were born.

A child in restraints next to a house. There is an arrow pointing both ways coming out of the front door of the house.

Some children:

  • live in and out of homes
  • experience restrictive practices when they should not.

A child raising their hand next to a group of icons. The icons are an arrow pointing up, and a female symbol with an arrow pointing to a male symbol.

Transgender children are more likely to experience these things.

A person giving 2 thumbs down next to an icon of a person with their hands on their head.

Sometimes a person behaves in a way that is seen as bad or wrong.

Members explained that these behaviours should instead be seen as a way for people to show who they are.

An adult supporting a child. They are both smiling.

Members also shared that it’s important to have plans that support people to have good relationships.