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Does writing a Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) for the NDIS feel daunting? Or are your OT reports constantly getting knocked back for "not enough evidence"?

Episode Summary: In this episode of the How to Be a Better OT podcast, host Clare Batkin breaks down one of the most common (and complex) services provided by occupational therapists working within the NDIS: the Functional Capacity Assessment. Clare shares her 3-stage framework (Preparation, Assessment, and Report Writing) to help you gather the right information, choose the best standardised assessments, and write reports that clearly align with NDIS "Reasonable and Necessary" criteria.

Key Takeaways:

• The Preparation Phase: Learn why you should never "wing" an initial assessment and how to use OT models (like the PEO) to prep your interview guide.
• The Assessment Phase: Discover the crucial components of your information gathering including clinical interviews, functional observations, home environment checks, standardised assessments and liaison with others.
• Writing the Report: How to translate your findings into plain language for NDIS planners, format for maximum readability, and include the right level of detail.
• The Follow-Up: Why your job isn't done when you hit "submit," and how tracking the outcomes of your reports builds your clinical reasoning and confidence, and improves outcomes for your clients.

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Freebie: Download the FCA Process Flowchart from Section 6 of the Learning Library, to map out your assessments 
• Freebie: Access the PROOF Framework Worksheet from Section 6 of the Learning Library to ensure your recommendations are specific and evidence-based.
• Freebie: Download the Executive Summary Example from Section 6 of the Learning Library to use on the front page of your long reports 
• Free Tutorials: Watch the videos on WHODAS 2.0 Scoring, the Modified Barthel Index online calculator, and the webinar on Describing Function & Standardised Assessments in the Learning Library or on YouTube. 
• Freebie: Read the guide and conference presentation on assessing clients with Invisible Illnesses (ME/CFS) in Section 5 of the Learning Library.
• Blog Post: Read “Improve your report writing with the PEO approach” to optimise your writing experience and efficiency.
• Course: New to the scheme? Sign up for the Navigating the NDIS course.
• Course: Get the comprehensive OT Guide to Completing a Functional Capacity Assessment with 8 hours of CPD, including case studies and quizzes.
• FCA Template: Purchase the white-labelled FCA Report Template (one-per-workplace purchase), featuring guiding comments to help you gather the right details.
• Deep Dive: Join the Connector Membership for full webinars on functional mobility, cognitive assessments, home assessments, WHODAS 2.0 and Modified Barthel Index.
• Advanced Learning: Join the Alliance Membership for access to the Connector tutorials, along with advanced clinical content and access to some NDIS courses.

If you found this breakdown of the FCA process helpful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your colleagues! 

And be sure to tune in next time when we cover our next core skill: how to provide effective client education.

Want to continue learning with Clare? Here are your options:

• Check out my FREE Learning Library full of resources and courses
• Sign-up for one-on-one or group training and support
• Book a time for a chat to see how I can help
• Sign-up for a Your OT Tutor membership
• Follow me on social media – vist my Linktree for the links you need!