Supporting local area coordinators (LAC) to be LACs

This report gives advice to the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Board on how to support local area coordinators (LAC) to be LACs.

The Independent Advisory Council (IAC) wrote this report. When we say ‘we’ we mean the IAC.

Our recommendations

We recommend the NDIA ensures the LAC function:

  1. Is guided by a set of principles that it must stay accountable to.

  2. Is designed for the LAC to:

    • Be an agent of change for people and community.

    • Empower people with disabilities.

    • Work alongside the person to achieve their goals.

    • Focus on community engagement.

    • Support the development of relationships that can add to or replace paid support.

  3. Focuses on people who identify as having a disability, including non-participants.

  4. Uses IAC advice to help think about diverse ways of funding things like a workforce plan.

What we found in our research

  • While plan size has increased, many participants still feel isolated in their communities.

  • The National Disability Strategy has not had its planned impact in supporting disability services to work together, alongside the NDIS.

  • The LAC’s role is to deliver outcomes for participants that are value for money.

  • Principles of the new LAC approach should include self-determination, choice and control, inclusion, and working together.

  • The LAC program can offer a way to connect communities and create inclusion.

  • The LAC model is intended to be strength based and based in the local community.

  • Participant feedback says it’s important to have LACs who understand them and have experience related to their individual circumstances.

  • LAC organisations should hire teams that include a wide skill set with different specialists. A LAC with only general skills and experience of disability will not be able to give the best support to participants.

Read our report here