How to Write a Carer or Parent/ Impact Statement When Applying for NDIS Access or Plan Review

A Carer/Parent Statement (sometimes referred to as an Impact Statement) is a letter written by a carer or parent who cares for or supports an individual living with a disability. It describes in detail how their disability is impacting their life and the lives of those around them.

It is a very powerful and effective tool to communicate with the NDIS team (NDIS planners, officers, and local area coordinators) about how challenging it is to cope every day when caring for a person with special needs. Writing a carer statement can often feel uncomfortable. It can feel confronting to talk about the struggles you face, but it provides the NDIS with a complete overview of the supports needed and the appropriate level of funding.

This statement can be completed and submitted as part of your NDIS application or plan review to demonstrate the everyday difficulties experienced by the individual and their family and to validate the level of care and support the individual may need.

A Carer or parent /Impact Statement is not compulsory, but it can help strengthen your NDIS application by providing a clear, practical picture of the supports that are required.

Don’t hold back. Describe your/their worst day.

It is important to remember that you are not complaining or asking for too much – you are simply informing them about what daily life is like for you and your loved ones.

How Do I Write a Carer/Impact Statement?

This statement should include the following information about the person you care for:

• Their disability and how it impacts her/ his day-to-day functioning; for example, what she/ he cannot do (such as eating, washing hands, etc.).

• What she/ he needs support with and what their carer does to assist them.

• Your own needs and goals as a carer and how the caring role affects you.

• Whether you can continue caring for them in the same way in the future.

• What other informal supports they have, such as family or friends.

• The limited resources you have to support this individual, for instance, if you have constraints on your time due to working full-time, or your ability is limited due to medical conditions.

• Any other important information for the NDIA to know when assessing which supports they might require.

Another way of writing your carer statement is to describe daily life using each of the main 8 categories within the NDIS so they can relate to it.

You should describe:

• What supports are needed.

• How often the supports are provided.

• The cost involved.

• The emotional impact that can sometimes occur.

These 8 categories are:

1. Daily Living

2. Home

3. Health and Well-being

4. Lifelong Learning

5. Work

6. Social and Community Participation

7. Relationships

8. Choice and Control

IMPORTANT: 'Functional Capacity' is how the NDIS measures eligibility, so you should refer to the applicant’s 'functional capacity' when describing how their life is affected in these areas by their disability.

Here is a resource on what functional capacity is under the NDIS.

Again, there is no right or wrong way to write a carer statement, but you should describe your worst day so that you communicate the maximum amount of support provided.

Who Else Can Provide a Carer/Impact Statement?

Any person (family member or provider who supports and cares for a person with a disability) can also provide an Impact Statement. Their input may be beneficial in communicating to the NDIS the level of support needed.

Author: Hugh Vo (Registered Nurse/Support Coordinator), founder of NSC.

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