What Is A Psychosocial Recovery Coach
The primary mandate of the NDIS is to provide people with disabilities with necessary information and services within their communities. As a result, the scheme matches various professionals- whose expertise varies from discipline to discipline- with registered participants. However, while many welcome this service, there remain questions about the particulars of specific roles, especially in instances where there seems to be some service overlap.
One prominent example of this perceived intersection is between Psychosocial Recovery Coaching and Support Coordination. While the two share some task similarities in addition to belonging to the same budget category and ‘Capacity Building’ registration group, there remain some key differences that set each position apart.
The similarity is not the same as identical. Therefore, to impart a clearer understanding of the two services, this article provides some insight into the differences between Psychosocial Recovery Coaches and Support Coordinators.
A Focus onMental Health
A critical difference between Psychosocial Recovery Coaches and Support Coordinators is their area of expertise.
Psychosocial Recovery Coaches are experts in mental health and cases of lived experience with a psychological condition. This proficiency renders them akin to specialists, thus giving them a unique perspective and deeper insight into navigating mental health support structures and recovery from a psychosocial disability.
Conversely, Support Coordinators may work with any NDIS participants, circumstance notwithstanding. While many Support Coordinators retain expert knowledge in a particular area of lived experience with disability or the disability system, it may not be in the mental health field.
It’s all about recovery
This difference refers to service orientation.
Typically, Support Coordinators help you determine which services you need and then connect you with them. Afterward, they monitor the services’ quality and effectiveness, aiding you in plan review preparation and keeping track of your funding.
A Psychosocial Recovery Coach’s role entails all the above tasks but includes providing psychological recovery-focused services. This difference means, in addition, they will work with your family, you and your support network to set goals for recovery and create strategies that keep you working towards them even when you face complex mental health challenges.
The complex nature of mental health
As mentioned above, recovery can present some significant challenges- and a Psychosocial Recovery Coach can be a substantial source of support. In addition, their experience gives them a unique understanding of the periodic nature of mental health conditions. Therefore, they are in the best place to help you and your support network prepare adequate and appropriate support for periods of crisis. Unfortunately, however, Support Coordinators don’t offer this service.
Goal setting
Psychosocial Recovery Coaching provides the support necessary to help you set and work toward more personal, specific and short-term goals. These attention points usually go above and beyond a typical set of NDIS plan goals. The primary focus, in this instance, is recovery. Therefore, coaches ensure progress guidance and approach efficacy using smaller stages between large objectives.
On the other hand, Support Coordinators help you attain your NDIS plan goals by linking you with the appropriate service providers.
In conclusion, the differences between Psychosocial Recovery Coaches and Supports Coordinators may seem minimal, but they are significant. However, that doesn’t make one superior to the other. On the contrary, both services have numerous benefits that enable people living with psychosocial disabilities to access valuable recovery-focused support.
