PlanNET is a not-for-profit, non-government organisation founded, directed, and monitored by families for families that have a member with a disability.
This is a group of people who are intentionally invited to come together in friendship and support of a person with disability, for the purpose of achieving their goals and protecting their interests into the future. Through their freely-given relationships, network members can offer support in many ways and help connect them to the community. While the network is built around the individual with a disability it also provides a source of support for the family.
Subject to availability, PlanNET’s network facilitators can work in partnership with families to develop a network of support around their member with a disability. If a family wish to nominate a facilitator from their own connections, PlanNET can assist by providing training and ongoing support. This may be funded from one’s NDIS plan budget.
Building a network involves:
- Using the individual’s person-centred plan to explore the person’s interests, current relationships, and community connections
- Identifying potential network members
- Contacting the identified people on the person’s behalf, to invite participation
- Arranging and facilitating regular meetings for the network to come together
- Fostering wholesome reciprocal relationships
- Keeping the network focused toward the person’s identified goals
The network will need to be replenished and maintained as the circumstances of its members, family, and the individual change.
PlanNET can support families to explore the option of incorporating their network to ensure that the person continues to live their life in accordance with their vision when family support is no longer available. See ‘incorporating a network’ below.
Incorporating a Network
(otherwise known as a microboard)
Incorporating a network will legalise someone’s network of support to ensure they continue to live a life in accordance with their vision when family support is no longer available. This may be part of a family’s succession plan.
PlanNET can support families through the necessary steps to incorporate a network. This may be funded from one’s NDIS plan budget.