You have decided you want support. This is a plain-English guide to what happens next: the first conversation, the kinds of support we offer, and what the early weeks usually look like. HSN supports self-managed and plan-managed participants across Brisbane.
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First conversationThe kinds of supportThe first weeksSelf-managed and plan-managedFirst conversationThe kinds of supportThe first weeksSelf-managed and plan-managedFirst conversationThe kinds of supportThe first weeksSelf-managed and plan-managedFirst conversationThe kinds of supportThe first weeksSelf-managed and plan-managedFirst conversationThe kinds of supportThe first weeksSelf-managed and plan-managedFirst conversationThe kinds of supportThe first weeksSelf-managed and plan-managedFirst conversationThe kinds of supportThe first weeksSelf-managed and plan-managedFirst conversationThe kinds of supportThe first weeksSelf-managed and plan-managedFirst conversationThe kinds of supportThe first weeksSelf-managed and plan-managedFirst conversationThe kinds of supportThe first weeksSelf-managed and plan-managedFirst conversationThe kinds of supportThe first weeksSelf-managed and plan-managedFirst conversationThe kinds of supportThe first weeksSelf-managed and plan-managed
Where to begin
Starting support is a conversation, not a form.
Deciding you want support is a big first step. What comes next does not need to be complicated. Getting started is mostly about a few good conversations: what a person wants help with, what a good week could look like, and how to take the first small, steady steps. This guide walks through that, in order, so you know what to expect before you reach out.
You have decided to get support: what happens next?
The next step is a short, no-pressure conversation. You tell us a little about the person and the kind of support you are looking for, and we explain how we work and whether we are a good fit. Nothing is locked in by talking to us.
Many people come to us already knowing roughly what they want, while others are still working it out. Both are fine. You can reach out through our contact page and a real person from the Horizons team will reply, usually within one business day. We listen first, then talk through options.
It helps to know that Horizons is a non-registered NDIS provider, which means we support participants who are self-managed or plan-managed. If you would like to understand what that distinction means for you, our guides on non-registered versus registered providers and NDIS plan management explain it in plain English.
The first conversation: what to tell us about the support you want
The most useful thing you can share is what a good week would look like for the person: what they want help with, what they want to do more of, and anything that makes a day easier or harder. You do not need every detail ready.
Some people focus on practical help at home, like personal care, getting ready in the morning, or cooking and tidying. Others want to build skills and confidence, or simply get out and connect with their community. We will ask gentle questions to understand the goals, the routine, and the pace that suits the person, so the support fits the life rather than the other way around.
If it helps, jot down a few notes before we talk: the times of day that matter, any access or sensory needs, who else is involved (family, a support coordinator, a plan manager), and one or two things the person would love to be able to do. Our NDIS FAQs answer many of the common questions people have at this stage.
The three kinds of support we offer (and which might fit)
Horizons offers three kinds of support: Daily Personal Activities, Independent Living Skills, and Social & Community Participation. Most people use one or a blend, depending on their goals and what their plan funds.
Daily Personal Activities is hands-on help with everyday tasks of daily life, such as personal care and getting ready for the day. Under the NDIS, this kind of assistance with daily personal activities generally sits within Core Supports (Assistance with Daily Life). Independent Living Skills is about building capability over time, like cooking, budgeting or using transport, which generally sits within Capacity Building (Improved Daily Living). Social & Community Participation supports getting out, joining activities, and connecting with people and places.
It is worth remembering that the NDIA decides what a person's plan funds, and the categories above describe where these kinds of support usually sit, not a promise about any individual plan. We can help you think through which kind of support matches the goals you describe.
The first week is about getting comfortable, not rushing. We focus on a calm introduction, a clear first session or two, and making sure the person and their support worker start to know each other. We keep it small and steady on purpose.
Before support begins, we agree on the practical details: when and where support happens, what the first sessions will cover, and who to contact if something needs to change. The aim is for that very first session to feel predictable, so the person knows what is going to happen and feels safe.
Early on, a support worker often spends time simply listening and observing, learning how the person likes things done. A first outing might be short. A first home visit might focus on one task done well. Starting small builds a foundation that makes everything that follows easier.
Building trust and routine over the first month
Over the first month, support settles into a routine. The same familiar faces, regular times, and a shared understanding of how the person likes things done all help trust grow. Routine is what turns support into confidence.
We try to keep support consistent so the person is not starting over each visit. As trust builds, the person often feels able to try a little more: a slightly longer outing, a new task at home, or a step toward a goal that felt out of reach at the start. The support worker supports the person to take that next step, rather than taking over.
Families and support coordinators are welcome to stay involved at whatever level suits the person. If you want to understand more about how support across Brisbane works, our overview of NDIS support across Brisbane is a good companion to this page.
How we stay connected with you (check-ins, adjusting the support)
Support is not set and forgotten. We check in regularly, listen to how things are going, and adjust the support as goals, routines and circumstances change. You can always tell us what is working and what is not.
Goals shift over time, and so does life. A person might build enough confidence to need less help with one thing and want more support with another. Regular check-ins, plus an open line to a real person from the Horizons team, mean the support can keep pace with the person rather than staying fixed.
If something is not quite right, the sooner you tell us the sooner we can adjust. Getting started is just the beginning of an ongoing conversation. When you are ready, you can start that conversation or browse all of our services to see the full picture.
How HSN fits
Horizons is a non-registered NDIS provider supporting self-managed and plan-managed participants across Brisbane. We provide Daily Personal Activities, Independent Living Skills, and Social & Community Participation, with support shaped around the person's goals, pace and routines.
Where should I start?
Start with one short conversation. Tell us what a good week would look like, and we will talk through the options together. There is no pressure, and nothing is locked in by reaching out.
