Exceptionally Complex Support Needs Program

Support and resources for mainstream service providers and support coordinators working with people that have exceptionally complex support needs.

The Exceptionally Complex Support Needs Program (ECSNP) assists NDIS providers, including support coordinators, mainstream and community services to support participants with exceptionally complex support needs.

cohealth is the Victorian provider of the ECSNP, funded by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). The services delivered through the ECSNP are free of charge for disability service providers, mainstream services and NDIS participants.

The ECSNP provides support through:

Subject Matter Expertise
We collaborate with disability service providers and mainstream services to provide subject matter expertise and guidance on how to appropriately support NDIS participants with complex support needs.

Capacity Building
We lead Communities of Practice and workshops to share knowledge, develop a collective understanding of best practice crisis response and improve service delivery to ensure better outcomes for participants with complex support needs.

Crisis Response
We operate an after-hours crisis referral line for approved referrers only (police, ambulance, hospitals, acute mental health services, federal police and state justice officers).

what are complex support needs?

Examples of contributing factors which lead to complex support needs:

interaction with multiple service systems such as justice, health, mental health, or alcohol and drug services
interaction with multiple community supports, such as homelessness or community mental health supports
psychosocial disability with episodic needs resulting in disengagement or breakdown of supports
breakdown or sudden change in circumstances of informal supports or carers impacting ability to meet participant need
Service delivery ineffective in meeting participant need with a history of trauma and-or abuse
Identified behaviours of concern and resulting escalations that are not adequately supported
Significant and immediate unmet need – such as people in remand, prison or hospital who cannot exit due to inability to access required supports and-or appropriate accommodation

who is eligible?

The ECSNP will assist services providers (including mainstream services and disability service providers) who require assistance supporting NDIS participants with complex support needs.

upcoming events and training

Melbourne Metro Community of Practice

The Cross-Sector Connection and Collaboration Community of Practice (CoP) aims to support practitioners from disability and mainstream services in developing connections and networks across service settings in Victoria. This CoP is for practitioners and clinicians from disability and mainstream services based in Metro Melbourne, including the following Local Government Areas:

Casey
Cardinia
Banyule
Bayside
Boroondara
Brimbank
Darebin

Dandenong
Frankston
Glen Eira
Hobsons Bay
Kingston
Manningham
Maribyrnong

Melbourne
Monash
Moonee Valley
Moreland
Port Phillip
Stonnington
Yarra
Whitehorse

Register for upcoming meetings

South & East Community of Practice

Alpine
Bass Coast
Baw Baw
Benalla
East Gippsland
Greater Shepparton

Latrobe
Indigo
Mansfield
Mitchell
Moira
Murrindindi

South Gippsland
Strathbogie
Towong
Wangaratta
Wellington
Wodonga

Register for upcoming meetings

North & West Community of Practice

Ararat
Ballarat
Buloke
Campaspe
Corangamite
Central Goldfields
Colac Otway
Gannawarra
Glenelg

Greater Bendigo
Greater Geelong
Golden Plains
Hindmarsh
Horsham
Loddon
Macedon Ranges
Mayne
Mildura

Mount Alexander
Northern Grampians
Pyrenees
Southern Grampians
Swan Hill
Warrnambool
West Wimmera
Yarriambiack

Register for upcoming meetings

The Justice System in Victoria

This introductory training aims to further develop Support Coordinator’s understanding of the Justice System in Victoria, including Correction Facilities and Justice Orders. This training will be delivered via Zoom.

24 March 2021, 10:00am – 11:00am – Get more information and register

21 April 2021, 10:00am – 11:00am – Get more information and register

Working with Risk

This introductory training developed by cohealth’s Exceptionally Complex Support Needs Program (ECSNP) aims to further develop Support Coordinator’s understanding of, definitions and foundations relating to Risk Management, including Dignity of Risk and Duty of Care. This training will be delivered via Zoom.

3 March 2021, 10:00am – 11.00am – Get more information and register

31 March 2021, 10:00am – 11.00am – Get more information and register

28 April 2021, 10:00am – 11:00am – Get more information and register

Trauma Informed Support: Foundational Knowledge

This introductory training developed by cohealth’s Exceptionally Complex Support Needs Program (ECSNP) aims to further develop Support Coordinator’s understanding of trauma, the impact it can have and the practice principles and values of Trauma Informed Support. This training will be delivered via Zoom.

4 March 2021, 10:00am – 11.30am – Get more information and register

18 March 2021, 10:00am – 11:30am – Get more information and register

Developing and Maintaining Professional Boundaries

This training developed by cohealth’s Exceptionally Complex Support Needs Program (ECSNP) aims to explore the importance and benefits for all in having well established personal and professional boundaries. This training will be delivered via Zoom.

10 March 2021, 10:00am – 11.30am – Get more information and register

7 April 2021, 10:00am – 11:30am – Get more information and register

5 May 2021, 10:00am – 11:30am – Get more information and register

Effective and Efficient Care Teams

This training developed by cohealth’s Exceptionally Complex Support Needs Program (ECSNP) aims to further develop understanding in establishing and maintaining effective, efficient, professional and collaborative care teams. This training will be delivered via Zoom.

25 March 2021, 10:00am – 11.30am – Get more information and register

22 April 2021, 10:00am – 11:30am – Get more information and register

resources

Specialist Service List: Victoria (download PDF)
cohealth’s ECSNP have developed a Specialist Service List: Victoria. The aim of this document is to assist disability service providers and other practitioners who are supporting NDIS participants with complex support needs in accessing relevant supports from both mainstream and specialist disability services available in Victoria. The Specialist Service List was updated in December 2020 and is subject to change.

Justice Support Service Guide (download PDF)
cohealth’s ECSNP have developed a Justice Support Service Quick Reference Guide. The aim of this document is to assist disability service providers who are supporting NDIS participants in contact with the Criminal Justice System. This document was developed in September 2020 and is subject to change.

ECSNP flyer (download PDF)
This flyer provides an overview of the ECSNP and contact details. This flyer is for disability service providers and mainstream services.

Trauma Informed Support Reference Guide (download PDF)
This document is a quick reference guide for disability support practitioners who would like to access more information and resources regarding trauma informed support.

Contact list for making a complaint (download PDF)
This document lists the different regulatory bodies and commissions in Victoria that are responsible for managing complaints about disability service providers.

useful links

do you need support but live outside of Victoria?

The organisations listed below are providing ECSNP in other states.

Queensland – Mercy Community Services
Western Australia – Nulsen Group
New South Wales / ACT – Marathon Health
Tasmania – Richmond Futures

The ECSNP Newsletter is sent quarterly via email and include information related to upcoming events, trainings, updates, information and resources focused on strengthening service responses for NDIS Participants with complex support needs.

Click here to subscribe (external link).

Previous newsletters

ECSNP Newsletter No. 3 – November 2020

ECSNP Newsletter No. 2 – September 2020

ECSNP Newsletter No. 1 – July 2020

contact

Email ECSNP@cohealth.org.au

Note: During business hours, providers should contact the NDIA on 1800 800 110 or their local NDIS representative for assistance regarding a crisis situation.

Services and professionals supporting NDIS participants who have complex support needs can contact the ECSNP Team during business hours (Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm) to access subject matter expertise and secondary consult. To access secondary consult, please download and fill out the ECSNP Secondary Consult and Consent Form (pdf. 238kb) and email to ecsnp@cohealth.org.au.