Why a Therapy welcome assessment is important

At Northcott, our Allied Health team is committed to supporting you to achieve your therapeutic goals – whatever they may be! If you are a new NDIS participant coming onboard with Northcott Therapy, we recommend you participate in a Therapy Welcome Assessment with one of our experienced therapists. Find out what’s involved in a Welcome Assessment and how you will benefit.

What is a Welcome Assessment?

A Welcome Assessment with Northcott is an introductory phone appointment for you and your parent/primary caregiver with an experienced Northcott therapist from our Allied Health and Clinical Services team.

During the 90-minute call, the therapist will discuss your background and explore the types of therapy services and support that can help you achieve your goals. We’ll gather all the crucial information we need to develop a tailored therapy plan that meets your unique needs. After your assessment, the therapist will provide you with a comprehensive report, recommendations for your therapy plan and estimated budget.

We recommend all therapy customers new to Northcott participate in one of these sessions. Even if you are currently receiving therapy with another service provider, our Welcome Assessment can provide valuable insights about your evolving needs and goals. It offers an opportunity for our therapists to assess your therapy plan based on the latest information.

If you are already seeing a Northcott therapist, this person will be able to provide a comprehensive handover to any new therapists who will be supporting you – so there’s no need to attend a Welcome Assessment.

Why is it important?

Welcome assessments are part of Northcott’s unique onboarding experience. While it’s your choice to participate, we do recommend it for new customers. The session will lay a strong foundation for an effective therapy journey together. Your Northcott therapist will gain a thorough understanding of your background and situation and learn about your goals and areas of focus. You’ll receive important information and guidance on the Northcott therapies and supports that may be most beneficial for your ongoing development and growth.

What is assessed?

During the assessment, your therapist will evaluate your needs across all allied health disciplines – such as speech pathology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, social work and dietetics.

You’ll leave with a thorough understanding of the therapy and clinical services at Northcott, as well as other services or programs that may support you to achieve your goals.

After your assessment

Following the assessment, you’ll receive a Service Agreement Budget and a detailed report of the assessment findings. This will outline the recommended therapy options including the estimated funding amounts, such as the cost of participating in Northcott’s services and/or programs, regular sessions with an occupational therapist, speech pathologist, or physiotherapist, group therapy sessions, or assistance from an allied health therapy assistant.

Additional information

It is important to have any relevant documentation, such as medical referrals and previous reports, on hand for your Welcome assessment. This information is crucial for developing a comprehensive understanding of your needs.

Our Allied Health and Clinical Services

Northcott NDIS therapy services are provided by an experienced team of health professionals:

• Speech therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy
• Positive behavioural support 
• Dietetics for dietary and nutritional advice
• Orthotics and custom footwear