An important part of your NDIS Plan will be your goals. It is important to go into your planning meeting with an idea about what you hope to achieve using the funding NDIA allocate to you. Using the SMART goals concept will help you create, define and measure your goals. This will help your NDIS Planner define the supports you need to help you achieve your goal.
Watch this clip for more information about SMART goals https://youtu.be/VZXcKyevXKM
What are SMART goals?
SMART is an acronym that stands for:
S = Specific
M = Measurable
A = Attainable
R = Relevant
T = Time-Bound
Your goal must be specific. Be as clear as possible, because you have to be able to determine exactly what it is you are required to do. To ensure your goal is as specific as it can be, consider the 5W’s:
- Who = who is involved in achieving this goal?
- What = what exactly do you want to achieve?
- Where = where will this happen?
- When = when will you achieve this goal?
- Why = why do you want to achieve this goal?
M = Measurable
The only way to know whether or not your goal was successful is to measure it. For example, “I will go to the gym twice a week for the next six months”. For this goal to be successful, you will go to the gym two times a week for the next six months. If you only go once a week, for four months, you will not have achieved this goal. The numbers don’t work or measure up.
A = Attainable
It’s great to have big dreams but you want your goals to be within the realms of possibility, so that there is a greater chance of you achieving them.
R = Relevant
Your goal needs to something you want to achieve personally or else, what’s the point of doing it? A SMART goal needs to be important to you. If it’s important to you then you will be more motivated to achieve it.
T = Time-Bound
Your goals need a deadline, without one, it’s less likely to be achieved. A deadline provides a sense of urgency that can motivate you towards the end. The time given to achieve a goal must be realistic. Don’t give yourself a month if it takes two months to achieve it.
How NDIS funding helps achieve goals?
If your goal is to improve your physical health by going to the gym twice a week for a year, like the example above, NDIS will fund the supports you need to help you achieve this goal. This might be a support worker to help you get to the gym twice a week. If you’re goal is to learn to cook simple meals at home, NDIS will fund a support worker to come to your house and support you to learn how to cook.
NB. NDIS fund the supports you need to help you achieve your goal. Funding does not cover the cost of your goal. Ie. Gym membership or food to cook with.
How many goals do I need for my NDIS plan?
It’s a good idea to have four or five important goals in your plan. Don’t forget your goals can be short-term, which means you aim to achieve them within 12 months. Or they could be long-term goals, which will take you longer than 12 months to achieve.
Here is a SMART goals template to help you get started!
For further information on NDIS, contact Paula Oliva on 0466 213 362 or via email paula@hurdle.support.
Download the Smart Goals Template here.
SMART GOALS NDIS PARTICIPANTS |
| Your Name | mm/dd/yyyy |
| DATE PREPARED | |
| Name of Your Goal | |
| Describe your goal. |
| S | Specific | What do I want to achieve? Why do I want to achieve this? What are the requirements? | |
| M | Measurable | How will I measure my progress? How will I know when the goal is achieved? | |
| A | Achievable | How can the goal be achieved? What are the logical steps I should take?Can I achieve this goal? | |
| R | Relevant | Is this a worthwhile goal? What do I need to achieve this goal?Does this goal support improve my disability / life? | |
| T | Time-Bound | How long will it take to achieve this goal? When will I achieve this goal? |
