NDIS Navigators

Roles and responsibilities

NDIS Navigator

The NDIS Navigator role is flexible to meet the needs of each school community. Day-to-day roles and responsibilities may include:

• information dissemination and awareness-raising activities (for example, facilitating presentations by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and local area coordinators (LACs) on topics of interest)
• providing information and advice on the NDIS and available supports, including guidance on where to look for services and supports. NDIS Navigators will not recommend specific providers but may provide guidance for parents and carers on how to make the best selection for their child
• providing guidance to families on how to apply for the NDIS and what they need to consider, including any documented evidence to support the application
• promoting the review processes available to parents and carers if their child’s NDIS plan is not meeting their needs
• providing guidance for parents, carers and students at transition points (for example, school leavers)
• developing collaborative working relationships between LACs to facilitate parents and carers access to advice and support
• undertaking administrative work associated with approved NDIS funded therapist onsite visits
• in limited circumstances, making representations directly to the NDIA or other agencies on behalf of families in complex cases (following consultation with the principal).

Principal

The principal is fundamental to the success of the NDIS Navigator within each school. The principal oversees the integration of the NDIS Navigator into the school community and will:

• support the aims and objectives of the initiative by ensuring that the NDIS Navigator has the capacity to implement their practices
• ensure parents and carers have access to the NDIS Navigator’s services
• support agreed activities undertaken by the NDIS Navigator in their school
• support the NDIS Navigator to ensure that services to parents and carers occur with maximum efficiency and effectiveness
• ensure that school staff are aware of and support the initiative
• ensure that the NDIS Navigator receives a supportive and thorough induction to the school, its protocols, policies, processes and management structures
• provide an appropriate and safe office space for private consultation and assessment with parents and carers.