How to Write a Powerful NDIS Carer Statement - Your Complete Guide

What is an NDIS Carer Statement and When Do You Need One?

An NDIS Carer Statement, also known as an Impact Statement, is a detailed written account from someone who provides care and support to a person with disability. This document describes how the person's disability affects their daily life and the lives of those around them.

You should consider submitting a Carer Statement when:

• Making an initial NDIS access request

• Preparing for plan reviews

• Requesting plan reassessments

• Appealing NDIS decisions

• Applying for increased funding levels

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While the NDIA doesn't require a Carer Statement, it can be the difference between receiving adequate funding and struggling with insufficient support. Think of it as your opportunity to tell the full story that reports and assessments might miss.

Why Your Carer Statement Matters

Healthcare professionals and allied health reports provide clinical perspectives, but your Carer Statement offers something equally valuable - the lived experience. You witness the daily realities, the 3am wake-ups, the cancelled plans, and the small victories that professionals might not see.

Your statement helps the NDIA understand:

• The true extent of support needed throughout each day

• How disability impacts the whole family unit

• The practical challenges that aren't captured in clinical assessments

• The emotional and physical toll of providing constant care

• What supports would make the biggest difference to quality of life

  
  

Writing about your challenges isn't being negative - it's being honest about what's needed to support your loved one effectively.

Essential Elements of an Effective Carer Statement

Start With the Basics

• Your relationship to the person with disability

• How long you've been providing care

• Brief overview of their disability or condition

• Your current living arrangements

Detail Their Support Needs

Focus on functional capacity - how their disability affects their ability to perform daily tasks. The NDIA assesses eligibility based on functional capacity, so this is crucial language to use.

Cover these areas:

• Personal care: washing, dressing, toileting, eating

• Mobility: moving around home and community

• Communication: expressing needs and understanding others

• Social interaction: relating to family, friends, and community

• Learning: acquiring new skills and knowledge

• Self-management: making decisions and managing daily tasks

Describe Your Caring Role

Be specific about what you do and how much time it takes:

• Physical care tasks and assistance provided

• Supervision and safety monitoring required

• Emotional support and behavioral management

• Coordination of appointments and services

• Advocacy and decision-making support

  
  

Explain the Impact on Your Life

The NDIA recognizes that carer wellbeing directly affects the sustainability of care arrangements. Include:

• Physical effects on your health

• Mental and emotional impacts

• Effects on your work and financial situation

• Impact on relationships and family life

• Changes to your social connections and activities

Writing Your Statement Using the NDIS Categories

Structure your statement around the NDIS support categories to help planners understand needs clearly:

Daily Personal Activities

Describe assistance needed with:

• Personal hygiene and grooming

• Dressing and undressing

• Eating and drinking

• Mobility and transfers

• Toileting and continence management

Example: "Sarah requires complete assistance with showering. I need to physically support her standing, wash her hair and body, and help her in and out of the shower safely. This takes 30-45 minutes each morning and evening. Without this support, she cannot maintain basic hygiene."

Household Tasks

Detail support with:

• Meal preparation and cooking

• Cleaning and laundry

• Shopping and errands

• Managing finances

• Home maintenance and safety

Health and Wellbeing

Explain needs around:

• Managing medications

• Attending medical appointments

• Monitoring health conditions

• Accessing therapies

• Managing mental health

Learning and Work

Cover support for:

• Educational activities

• Skill development

• Vocational training

• Workplace support

• Lifelong learning goals

Social and Community Participation

Describe assistance with:

• Social interactions and relationships

• Community activities and events

• Recreation and leisure

• Transport to activities

• Communication supports

Key Writing Strategies for Maximum Impact

1. Focus on Your Hardest Days

Don't describe an average day - describe your most challenging day. The NDIA needs to understand the maximum level of support that might be required.

Instead of: "Tom sometimes has behavioral episodes" Write: "Last week, Tom had a meltdown that lasted 3 hours. He was hitting himself and throwing furniture. I couldn't leave him alone, missed work, and my back was injured trying to keep him safe. These episodes happen 2-3 times per week."

2. Be Specific About Time and Frequency

Quantify your care wherever possible:

• "I wake up 4-5 times every night to reposition him"

• "Meal times take 90 minutes because she needs feeding assistance"

• "I spend 3 hours daily managing his medications and health needs"

3. Include Emotional and Physical Costs

Don't just describe tasks - explain the toll:

• "After lifting him 15-20 times daily, my chronic back pain has worsened"

• "I haven't had a full night's sleep in 18 months"

• "I've had to reduce my work hours to part-time, affecting our family income"

4. Use Functional Language

The NDIA uses specific terminology around functional capacity. Use phrases like:

• "Cannot perform this task independently"

• "Requires constant supervision for safety"

• "Needs prompting and physical assistance"

• "Has limited functional capacity in this area"

5. Paint the Complete Picture

Include context that helps planners understand your situation:

• Other family members and their needs

• Your support network (or lack thereof)

• Geographic challenges (rural/remote location)

• Cultural or language considerations

• Financial constraints affecting care options

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Understating Your Reality

Many carers minimize their challenges out of habit or embarrassment. This isn't the time for modesty - be completely honest about the support required.

Being Too General

"She needs help with personal care" doesn't convey the same impact as "I spend 2 hours each morning helping her shower, dress, eat breakfast, and take medications while managing her anxiety about leaving the house."

Forgetting to Include Your Own Needs

Your capacity to continue caring is directly relevant to your loved one's support needs. Include how caring affects your ability to sustain this role.

Only Focusing on Deficits

While the statement should highlight support needs, also mention strengths and what's working well to show you understand your loved one holistically.

Who Else Can Contribute to Your Application

Additional statements from others can strengthen your case:

• Family members who witness the daily care provided

• Friends who have seen the impact on your family

• Teachers who observe needs in educational settings

• Healthcare providers who understand the medical complexity

• Support workers who have provided professional care

• Neighbors who have observed the level of support required

Sample Statement Structure

Introduction Paragraph

"I am [name], and I am the primary carer for my [relationship] [person's name], who is [age] years old and lives with [disability/condition]. I have been providing daily care and support for [time period]. This statement describes the impact of [his/her] disability on [his/her] daily functioning and our family life."

Daily Care Needs Section (2-3 paragraphs)

Detail the support provided from morning to night, focusing on areas where functional capacity is most limited.

Specific Challenge Areas (3-4 paragraphs)

Focus on the most significant support needs - behavioral, medical, safety, communication, etc.

Impact on Carer and Family (2-3 paragraphs)

Honest description of how providing care affects your physical health, mental wellbeing, work, relationships, and daily life.

Current Supports and Gaps (1-2 paragraphs)

What professional support currently exists and where significant gaps remain.

Future Sustainability (1-2 paragraphs)

Your ability to continue providing current levels of care and concerns about the future.

Conclusion Paragraph

"The supports requested in this NDIS application are essential for [person's name] to live with dignity and for our family to sustain our caring role. Without adequate support, [his/her] quality of life and safety are at risk."

Final Tips for a Strong Statement

Before You Submit

• Read through multiple times checking for clarity

• Ask someone else to review it for completeness

• Ensure you've covered all relevant NDIS support categories

• Check that you've explained both what you do and why it's necessary

• Verify you've included specific examples and timeframes

Remember the Purpose

Your Carer Statement serves one primary purpose - to help the NDIA understand the true level of support needed. Every paragraph should contribute to this goal.

You're not complaining or asking for too much. You're providing crucial information that enables appropriate planning for your loved one's support needs.

Getting Additional Help

Writing a Carer Statement can feel overwhelming, especially when you're already managing significant caring responsibilities. Consider reaching out to:

• Local disability support organizations

• Carer support groups in your area

• NDIS support coordinators

• Advocacy services

• Other families who have been through the process

At Parability Support, we understand how crucial these statements are to securing appropriate NDIS funding. Your voice as a carer provides insights that no professional assessment can capture.

Remember - you are the expert on your loved one's needs and the impact on your family. Trust your experiences, be thorough in your descriptions, and don't hold back on sharing your reality. The NDIA needs this information to make informed decisions about support levels.

Your dedication as a carer deserves recognition and appropriate support. A well-written Carer Statement is often the key to accessing the NDIS funding that makes sustainable care possible.

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Need support with your NDIS journey? Parability Support is here to help families navigate the NDIS system and access the supports that make a real difference to quality of life.