You can help another person enquire about an FCA, gather documents and organise an appointment. The first step is to explain why an assessment has been suggested and involve the person in deciding what happens next.
When contacting Seeds, describe your relationship to the person, the purpose of the report and any deadline. Avoid sending extensive health records before consent and a secure way of providing them have been confirmed.
Be clear about who is making which decisions
Consent to an assessment, consent to share information and an agreement to pay are related but separate matters. Being a family member, referrer or person paying the invoice does not automatically authorise every decision.
Where someone acts as a representative, Seeds needs to check the relevant authority and its limits. A role in managing an NDIS plan should not simply be assumed to cover health consent. If you are authorised to sign, sign as yourself in that role rather than impersonating the participant.
Support the person to understand the assessment and communicate their preferences. A difficulty with speech, literacy or a form does not by itself mean they cannot make the decision.
Agree how the person will contribute
Ask what would help them take part. They may prefer to speak for themselves, use written notes, use communication equipment or have someone help explain parts of their routine.
Some people will not attend a full interview. The assessment still needs an appropriate way to consider their perspective. For children, involvement should suit their age, communication and circumstances.
Tell Seeds about access needs before booking so the available arrangements can be discussed. Do not assume a particular interview format or additional appointment is included until it is agreed.
Describe your own observations accurately
A useful contribution explains what you have seen and what you do. For example, you might describe helping to prepare medication each evening or providing transport twice a week. Explain the timeframe and whether this is usual or a recent change.
Keep your observations distinct from what the person has told you. Different accounts may reflect different settings or different parts of an activity. They should be clarified rather than treated as a contest over whose account is more credible.
Also describe limits on the help you can provide. The assessment should not assume that unpaid assistance will always remain available.
Confirm the practical arrangements
Before booking, establish who will complete the form, which documents are relevant, who will attend and how the fee will be paid. Confirm who is authorised to receive the report and whether any other sharing has been agreed.
If the person does not wish to proceed, raise that with the practice. An organiser's preference for a report is not a reason to bypass consent.