Understanding the skills and characteristics of a good support coordinator

Published 4th October 2022

The Summer Foundation is running a study to investigate the role of support coordinators and how they can effectively assist people with disability and complex needs who are enrolled in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). This research is essential because the role of the support coordinator has changed with the implementation of the NDIS, making it challenging to find skilled and experienced support coordinators.

At present, there is still limited understanding of the demands of the role and the skills required for support coordinators, as well as the operating environment in which they work. This is a substantial problem because people with disability need assistance from support coordinators in order to get the most out of the NDIS and in turn make more progress towards their goals.

The insights derived from this research will enable the Summer Foundation to develop resources that will build the capacity of the workforce of support coordinators and assist them to be more effective in their work. This in turn will enable people with disability and complex needs to achieve positive outcomes under the NDIS.

We are inviting individuals to participate if they: 

• are an NDIS participant with complex needs, aged 18-65 years, with disability or an acquired brain injury, who is receiving support via a support coordinator
• have a family member who is an NDIS participant with complex needs, aged 18-65 years, with disability or an acquired brain injury, who is receiving support via a support coordinator
• have experience in the role of a support coordinator where they supported a person with complex needs, aged 18-65 years, with disability or an acquired brain injury
• are an Allied Health professional with experience in the health-disability interface and work with people with complex needs, aged 18-65 years, with disability or an acquired brain injury

The study involves one interview that will take up to 1 hour and will be conducted at a date and time that is most suitable for you.

If you think you are eligible and would like some more information about taking part in this study, please contact Lee Cubis on: 1300 626 560 or email