What should a support note show?
- When the support occurred.
- What support was provided.
- What the participant did or was supported to do.
- Relevant outcomes, changes or observations.
- How the support related to participant goals where relevant.
- Anything important that needs follow up.
Keep it factual
Describe what happened rather than labelling the participant or guessing motives. Clear, observable facts are more useful than judgemental language.
Your notes and invoice should tell the same story
The wording does not have to be identical, but the support, date, hours and key details should make sense together.
If an invoice says four hours of support were delivered, the records behind that shift should reasonably support that claim.
Progress note vs incident report
A progress or case note records the support delivered and what happened during the shift. An incident report follows the relevant incident process. One does not automatically replace the other.
Frequently asked questions
Do independent support workers need progress notes?
NDIS providers need complete and accurate records of supports delivered. The exact documentation can depend on the support and the provider's circumstances.
Should progress notes mention participant goals?
Where relevant, yes. Notes can show how the support or activity related to the participant's goals.
Do progress notes need to be long?
Not necessarily. They need to be clear, factual and complete enough to show the support delivered.