Best Practices for NDIS Case Notes: What Support Workers Need to Know

Why Case Notes Matter

• Case notes are more than just paperwork—they are a vital record of the support you provide. Good case notes:
• Demonstrate value to participants and plan managers
• Support continuity of care between workers
• Provide evidence for compliance audits
• Help identify changes in participant needs

What to Include

The Basics - Date, time, and duration of support - Participant name and support type - Your name as the support worker

The Content Focus on: - **What** activities were completed - **How** the participant engaged - **Progress** towards goals - **Any concerns** or changes observed

Writing Tips

Be Objective Write what you observed, not your interpretation: - ✅ "John declined morning tea" - ❌ "John was being difficult about eating"

Be Specific Include relevant details: - ✅ "Completed 20-minute walk around the block, participant used walking frame" - ❌ "Went for a walk"

Use Simple Language Write clearly so anyone can understand: - Avoid jargon and abbreviations - Use short sentences - Write in plain Australian English

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Waiting too long - Write notes as soon as possible after the shift 2. Copy-pasting - Each note should reflect that specific interaction 3. Missing the goal connection - Link activities to NDIS plan goals 4. Forgetting incidents - Always document concerns, however small

Using Technology

• Mobile apps make case note entry easier:
• Voice-to-text for faster entry
• AI assistance for grammar and clarity
• Automatic timestamps
• Secure cloud storage