Welcome to the online home of the New Zealand Needs Assessment Service Co-ordination Association.

Our Services

What services do NASCs provide?

Needs Assessment Services Co-ordination (NASC) are organisations that provide assessments, planning, funding, and/or service coordination for people living with disabilities.

NASC do not provide support services to people directly but rather facilitate the support with the appropriate contracted providers and service organisations or by arranging the funding required to engage those services directly.

Support organisations

NASC agencies work with Whaikaha – Ministry for Disabled People or Te Whatu Ora – Health NZ via either Health of Older Persons, Long Term Chronic Conditions, or Mental Health services. These Ministries directly contract providers to deliver specific services. The NASC is often the only organisation that can approve the funding, and sometimes the referrals to these organisations.

Health of Older Persons NASCs

Health of Older Persons NASC services are funded by Te Whatu Ora. The majority of NASC services are provided by Te Whatu Ora, however there are some NASC service provided by other organizations. Find your local NASC Service here.

All Health of Older Persons NASC services use the InterRAI assessment.  InterRAI is an internationally validated tool that New Zealand has been using with NASC services since 2009.  For more information see the InterRAI website.

To access services through Health of Older Persons NASC the disability must be considered ‘age related’. It is considered that most deterioration of independence over the age of 65 is related to the aging process. Whilst access to these services is largely considered for those over 65 under some circumstances people may be considered for age-related needs earlier than 65.

Long Term Support - Chronic Health Conditions

Long Term Support Chronic Health Conditions are services funded by Te Whatu Ora, Health NZ for people who have disabilities related to a health condition that would not be eligible for any other funding stream. In most areas this is assessed by the Health of Older Persons NASC services.

Mental Health NASCs

Mental Health NASC services vary significantly around the country. Support for people with Mental Health needs can also vary. In some areas, this may include people who access Child and Adolescent Mental Health or Drug and Alcohol services.

Types of services

Residential

Residential services include both neighbourhood houses for people accessing Mental Health and/or Whaikaha-funded support or, for people receiving Health of Older Persons services, accommodation will likely be in larger residential facilities.

Day Activity Programmes

Day Activity Programmes are equipped to support social interactions, particularly for those funded by Health of Older Persons services, or are more therapeutic in nature for those people receiving Mental Health services and support.

For people funded by Whaikaha, day activities are funded by Ministry of Social Development and your NASC may not have access to funding for, or be able to refer you to these services.

Home and Community Support Services

For people needing help managing their personal cares or home maintenance needs. Home and Community Support services also enable access to the community. Services are generally delivered in the person’s home, but can be provided in the wider community.

Carer Support

Paid at a fixed amount per day or half day, Carer Support can be used to provide traditional respite for someone to take over the carers responsibilities while they have a break or for reimbursement of purchases that support the disabled person or their carer.

Respite

Respite services enable a break for people who provide unpaid support to their loved ones with a disability. For those funded by Te Whatu Ora, Mental Health, and/or Health of Older Persons this is largely achieved in a facility-based type respite, where the person goes to stay somewhere while the person providing the care has a break. The amount of respite allocated is related to the amount of unpaid work the person provides.

For people funded by Whaikaha, respite can also be allocated as part of a person’s individualised funding package.

Supported Living

Supported living services help enable people with disabilities to make great choices and create control over their lives. With support for cooking, managing appointments, accessing the community, or budgeting, supported living services equip people with the necessary skills to lead a good life. 

Specialist Behaviour Support

This services is only available to people who are eligible for Whaikaha funded services. NASCs only have one contracted provider available to refer to. There may be a waiting time for this service, but your NASC works closely with the provider to prioritise the highest need.

Indivisualised funding is available to people funded via Whaikaha and to some Te Whatu Ora regions. This means that rather than referring to the services you require, the allocation is transitioned into a budget which is allocated for you arrange your own providers, services and purchases. The funding is allocated to a host provider, who will help you use the funding to live your best life in accordance with what you agreed with your NASC. Your host provider will also support you with employing your own staff if you would like them to.

Individualised funding offers flexibility that enables you to use your allocated funding in anyway as long as it fits within the purchasing guidelines.