Transitioning from your early childhood partner

Social Futures is a regionally based community services organisation providing experts in tailoring programs to fit our diverse local communities.

One of the many services we provide is the NDIS LAC service – supporting people with disability to access the NDIS. We provide local area coordination (LAC) services throughout regional NSW.

We are passionate about supporting people with disability to live life the way they want to, and creating positive social change not only for individuals, but for society as a whole.

We work with communities, schools, and workplaces to promote inclusion for people with disability and additional needs … because everybody has a right to feel included and welcomed in our communities.

A local area coordinator (LAC) works in a similar way as the early childhood partner worked with you and your family.

For most people aged seven years and older, an LAC will be their main point of contact for the NDIS.

LACs work with all people with disability (not just NDIS participants).

LACs can:

• help all people with disability to connect with supports, activities in their community and other government services to meet their needs
• share information about the NDIS and help people access the NDIS if needed
• work with NDIS participants to develop and use their NDIS plan.
• work in local communities to help them become more accessible and inclusive for all people with disability.

Your Early Childhood NDIS Partner will discuss with you the handover process to Social Futures in the lead up to your child’s 9^th birthday.

Typically, during the month that your child turns 9, an LAC from Social Futures will have an official handover conversation with your early childhood partner.  In this conversation we ensure that all information regarding your child’s plan and funding is passed over, and that we allocate the right LAC to suit your family.

An LAC that works from the office closest to where you live will then contact you by phone to welcome you to Social Futures and talk about the next steps. This is a great time to ask any questions you might have of the LAC.

If you are at the beginning or middle of your plan, everything will continue as it has been, and the LAC will touch base with you regularly to make sure everything is going well.

If you are coming to the end of your child’s plan, the LAC will discuss with you the things to expect at the first plan review with Social Futures, and ensure you have everything you need moving forward.

Before you have your first planning meeting with your LAC it would be great to have some reports from your providers to have an update on how your child is going? These may include reports from your Speech Pathologist, Occupational Therapist and/or Physiotherapist.

If there have been any recent updates in your child’s diagnosis from a Paediatrician or Clinical Psychologist, please bring the information along to meeting also.

The Keyworker model is an early intervention support, that is funded solely during early intervention program. It’s design to help parents navigate and build their capacity in the early stages of NDIS, so when their child transitions across to the NDIS they are more prepared. If your Keyworker works as an Allied Health professional such as a Speech Therapist, Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist you can still receive service from them if their support relates to your child’s goals.

We have many offices across each of our regions. Please see below to find your closest Social Futures LAC Office.

 

LAC Hotline: 1800 522 679

 

Northern Region, Bundjalung Country:

Tweed Heads: 3-5, 32 Minjungbal Drive, Tweed Heads, NSW 2485

Ballina: 5/274 River Street, Ballina, NSW 2478

Lismore: 1/24 Molesworth Street, Lismore, NSW 2480.

Grafton: 50 Victoria St, Grafton NSW 2460

 

Western Region, Wiradjuri Country

Dubbo: 156 Brisbane St, Dubbo NSW 2830

Orange: 4-5, 226-232 Summer Street, Orange, NSW 2800

Bathurst: Suite 7, 203-209 Russell Street, Bathurst, NSW 2795

Broken Hill: 181 Thomas Street, Broken Hill, NSW 2880

 

Central Coast Region- Darkinjung Country

Wyong: 2/28 Hely Street, Wyong, NSW 2259

Gosford: 4/221 Mann Street Gosford, NSW 2250

Would you like more information about Social Futures, the LAC service, or the Early Childhood transition process?

We hold monthly virtual “Meet your LAC” sessions in each region. These one-hour sessions are held in the last week of the month in 2 timeslots.

If you are interested in attending one of our webinars:

please phone our LAC hotline on 1800 522 679

or email us at: [email protected]

and we will send you the dates of the next webinars for your region!

For all general enquiries please contact our LAC hotline on: 1800 522 679.

A member of our friendly Participant Experience Team will support you with your call.