A Guide for Support Coordinators: High-Intensity Daily Personal Activities (HIDPA)

As a Support Coordinator, you play a crucial role in helping individuals navigate the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and access the disability support services they need. One of the most important and complex areas you might encounter is High-Intensity Daily Personal Activities (HIDPA). This is a category of funding that supports people with significant, or overlapping disabilities who require a higher level of daily personal care and assistance.

Whether you’re new to HIDPA or looking to deepen your understanding, this guide will provide you with essential information, tips, and best practices for working with participants who require high-intensity support. So you can ensure you’re providing the best possible support for those who need it most.

What is High-Intensity Daily Personal Activities (HIDPA)?

HIPDA is a specific funding category under the NDIS designed to support individuals who need a higher level of care and assistance with daily personal activities. This includes support for individuals who have complex needs, such as physical or intellectual disabilities, where the intensity of personal care goes beyond what standard services can provide.

The HIPDA funding helps cover personal care tasks like:

• Assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting
• Support with mobility and transfers
• Help with feeding, medication management, and health monitoring
• 24/7 care for participants with severe disabilities or medical conditions

In essence, HIPDA is about ensuring that individuals who need substantial and consistent care can maintain their independence and dignity, while also providing peace of mind for their families and carers.

Does Your Participant Need HIDPA Supports? How to Spot the Signs

Determining whether your participant requires HIDPA support is essential for ensuring they receive the appropriate level of care. Here are some key signs that may indicate the need for HIPDA:

• Complex Care Needs

  If your participant requires assistance with several daily activities, including mobility, personal hygiene, and medication management, this may signal the need for high-intensity support. For example, someone who is unable to perform daily tasks independently due to physical or cognitive impairments may require HIPDA services.

• Frequent or Ongoing Support

  Participants who require constant support throughout the day and night, whether due to medical conditions (like chronic health issues) or significant mobility impairments, may need HIDPA services to ensure they are properly cared for at all times.

• Severe Impact on Daily Living

  If a participant’s disability significantly impacts their ability to carry out basic tasks such as eating, dressing, or moving around, this could be an indicator that they need HIDPA. These challenges may go beyond what regular or standard supports can address and require a more intensive level of care.

• Safety Concerns

  If a participant is at risk due to their health condition or disability, such as having frequent falls, health emergencies, or behavioural concerns that could lead to harm, then HIDPA may be necessary to ensure their safety and well-being.

As a Support Coordinator, you must assess these signs through direct observation, coordinating with family members, and receiving feedback from healthcare providers. Collaborating with the participant’s medical professionals can also provide valuable insights into their care needs.

How to Advocate for HIDPA in an NDIS Plan

Advocating for HIDPA in an NDIS plan requires a thorough understanding of the participant’s needs and the necessary supporting documentation to demonstrate the intensity of care required. Here’s how to advocate effectively:

• Prepare Comprehensive Evidence: To justify the need for HIDPA support, help your participant gather the correct documentation. You will need to provide detailed evidence that highlights the participant’s high-intensity care requirements. This might include medical reports, functional assessments, care needs assessments, and letters from healthcare professionals. Documenting the severity of the participant’s disabilities and their inability to perform daily tasks independently is crucial.
• Highlight the Impact on Daily Life: In your advocacy, focus on how the participant’s disability significantly impacts their ability to perform everyday activities. Be clear about how HIDPA support will enable the participant to live more independently, maintain their health, and improve their quality of life. The NDIS is more likely to allocate HIDPA funding if you can communicate the participant’s goals and directly link it to a service. For example, an individual living with bowel health issues may have a goal of more frequent cleansing of the bowel which is supported by HIDPA’s enema services.
• Collaborate with the Participant’s Team: Engage with the participant’s medical team, support workers, and other professionals involved in their care. Their input will provide an informed and complete picture of the participant’s needs. This collective evidence strengthens the case for HIDPA funding.
• Be Specific About Support Needs: Instead of general statements, specify the exact nature of the support required. For example, if the participant needs 24/7 support for personal care tasks, provide clear details about the frequency and nature of this support. The more specific and detailed your advocacy, the better.

How to Support a Participant Into HIDPA Supports: Transitioning from Standard Care or First-Time Access

Transitioning a participant into HIDPA services, whether they’re moving from standard care or are first-time users of HIDPA, requires careful planning and support. Here’s how to guide the transition:

1. Assess Their Needs Thoroughly

   Before transitioning, ensure a comprehensive assessment is conducted to evaluate the participant’s current care needs. This will help you understand their specific challenges and identify the level of support required. Collaborate with healthcare professionals and support workers to assess any gaps in the current care plan.

2. Build a Comprehensive HIDPA Plan

   Work with the participant and their family to create a detailed care plan that incorporates the HIDPA funding. Transparently outline how funding will be allocated, work together to form new routines and match participants with compatible support workers. This plan should clearly outline the specific tasks that will be covered by HIDPA support and set goals for the participant’s independence. It should also include how the transition will take place, whether it’s moving from a lower level of support or starting with a more intensive care approach.

3. Coordinate the Right Support Providers

   Transitioning to HIDPA often requires engaging specialised care providers, such as registered nurses or personal care assistants, who are trained to provide high-intensity support. Ensure that the providers you select are qualified, experienced, and capable of meeting the participant’s needs.

4. Ongoing Monitoring and Adjustments For HIDPA

   Transitioning into HIDPA support can take time, so it’s important to regularly monitor the participant’s progress. Schedule regular check-ins to ensure that the level of care being provided is adequate and that the participant is adjusting well to the changes. If needed, make adjustments to the care plan to ensure it continues to meet the participant’s evolving needs.

5. Offer Emotional and Social Support

   Accessing HIDPA support can be an emotional process for both the participant and their family. Provide reassurance and support to help them navigate this change. Ensuring the participant feels heard, respected, and confident in their new care plan is crucial for their overall well-being.

6. Manage and Monitor NDIS Services

   It’s essential to monitor the quality of services and ensure that the participant’s needs are being met consistently. Regular check-ins, feedback loops, and service reviews can help you track progress, identify any gaps in care, and make necessary adjustments.

7. Provide Education and Support to Families and Carers

   Many participants rely on family members or carers for additional support. As a Support Coordinator, you can provide education on how to manage HIDPA-funded services, what the family can expect, and how to access additional support when needed. Helping families understand the full scope of HIDPA support will ensure that everyone involved is well-prepared to provide the best care possible.

Why HIDPA Supports Matter So Much

As a Support Coordinator, your role in managing High-Intensity Daily Personal Activities (HIDPA) funding is essential to ensuring that participants with complex needs receive the best care possible. By understanding the eligibility criteria, navigating the funding process, coordinating services, and monitoring progress, you can make a real difference in the lives of individuals who rely on HIDPA support.

At Maple Community Services, we’re here to support you every step of the way in managing HIDPA services. Whether you’re seeking guidance on a complex care plan or need assistance with service coordination, we’re here to help participants achieve their goals and lead fulfilling, independent lives.

If you have any questions or need further information, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to guide you and your participants through every step of the process.