Psychosocial Recovery Coach

Psychosocial Recovery Coach is a service paid for by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in the Capacity Building budget. assists an NDIS participant in understanding and using their plan and funding. Recovery Coaches help participants connect with the services they need (both NDIS and community supports), coach them to reach their goals, and prepare for and handle crises if they happen. The amount of time spent on each part varies depending on the client's needs.

How is a Recovery Coach Different From a Support Coordinator?

A Support Coordinator and a PRC have some similarities, but they also have differences in their roles.

A Support Coordinator connects participants to the supports they need and helps them use their plan effectively. They assist in navigating the NDIS, community, and mainstream supports. Level 2 Support Coordinators don't need formal qualifications, while Level 3 (Specialist) Support Coordinators require a degree in Allied Health, Social Work, or an equivalent field. They generally have knowledge about disability and the NDIS.

On the other hand, also connects participants to supports and facilitates plan usage. They need a minimum Cert IV in Mental Health or equivalent and have general NDIS knowledge with specialised mental health expertise. Participants usually receive 50–100 hours per year from a Psychosocial Recovery Coach.

The key difference lies in their focus. A Support Coordinator supports participants in becoming informed consumers and advocates for themselves. In contrast, a Psychosocial Recovery Coach concentrates on coaching participants and carers in identifying and achieving goals to improve social, economic, and overall well-being outcomes.

The Role of Support Coordination and Lived Experience PRCs

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) understood that people with mental health challenges could benefit from a special kind of support. This led to the creation of a service called Support Coordination, which focuses on mental health knowledge. The NDIA also realised the importance of having a coach who works positively and comprehensively to help a person set and achieve their goals.

The NDIS recognised the value of including people who have personal experience with mental health challenges. This led to the introduction of "lived experience PRCs." At Avenues Australia, we have both Lived Experience Recovery Coaches (those with a Cert IV in Peer Work or another qualification and personal experience with mental health challenges) and Psychosocial Recovery Coaches  with qualifications alone.

People may choose to work with a PRC for various reasons:

• Some people find their NDIS plan confusing and need help understanding how to connect with services.

• Others may have goals that seem overwhelming, and a coach can assist them in breaking those goals into smaller, achievable steps.

• Some individuals face crises regularly and need support in preparing for and navigating those challenging situations.

• Others may simply need strategies to manage their mental health better or want help with being more organised, connected, or productive.

How Does a Peer Support Worker Work?  

Every PRC provider does things in their own way because the NDIA doesn't have strict rules for the role. However, the NDIS created the Recovery Orientated Framework to give some guidance to providers on how to deliver the service. This is to allow flexibility and encourage new and creative ideas in the industry. At MYSC Australia, here's how we do PRC.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, a Psychosocial Recovery Coach is a professional service funded by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to assist individuals in understanding and utilising their plans for mental health support. While sharing similarities with Support Coordinators, PRC focuses on mental health expertise and goal-oriented coaching. The NDIS recognises the value of including individuals with lived experience in this role.

FAQs:

1. Why choose a Psychosocial Recovery Coach?

PRC provides tailored support for mental health challenges, helping with plan understanding, goal achievement, crisis preparation, and overall well-being.

2.  How does it differ from Support Coordination?

While both connect participants to supports, a PRC emphasises mental health expertise and goal-oriented coaching, focusing on improving social, economic, and overall well-being outcomes.

3. How much time is typically spent with a Recovery Coach?

Participants usually receive 50–100 hours per year from a PRC, varying based on individual needs.

4. Why include lived experience in coaching?

Recognising the value of personal experience, the NDIS introduced "lived experience PRCs" to provide a more empathetic and understanding approach to mental health support.