The number of people accessing Individualised Funding (IF) through Visionwest surpassed 300 at the end of July, reaching this milestone one month earlier than anticipated.
Today, that number is still climbing. Beyond a figure, it stands for an empowered community made up of individuals connected with support that is moulded uniquely to their circumstances.
What is Individualised Funding?
IF Coach & Pasefika Liaison Makasini Tulimaiau-Hafoka says the word “funding” grabs a lot of attention, both good and bad, but IF stands for so much more than just the money.
“It’s about having choice and control, having individualised flexibility,” IF Lead Natalie Claxton says. “And it’s a lifelong service, a connection that will never end.”
Individualised Funding is a government-funded programme which offers a person with a disability, or their whānau, the full autonomy to choose the support appropriate for their complexity of needs and how they will receive it. Once referred to Visionwest, an IF Coach partners with the family to create a tailored support plan and manage their personalised IF budget. This is used towards organising support as required, which can include house management, payroll for personal care and short respite for primary caregivers.
The Journey to a Good Life
At the heart of Individualised Funding lies the mission to empower whānau with specialised information and support that best suits their disability. Living with a disability looks different in every home, as do the aspirations of what a good life looks like from person to person. Working to the Enabling Good Lives principles, IF is geared around enhancing the mana and self-determination of individuals and families throughout the process.
Visionwest IF Host Services lets whānau decide what support will look like in their home, whether this be engaging with our network of qualified Support Workers, to employing their own care providers and managing all aspects of service delivery. Whānau can also choose between different tiers of guidance and contact they will receive from their IF Coach, in accordance with their experience and confidence managing funding responsibilities.
Claxton says the flexibility IF provides, such as being able to employ your own family members, brings huge relief especially for families living in regional communities where there are less support options available.
He Tangata, He Tangata, He Tangata
For Tulimaiau-Hafoka, the most rewarding part of the mahi is being able to build deep relationships with families one-on-one, providing them with assistance which upholds their diverse personal and cultural needs.
“Individualised Funding gives them the full power to decide how they will live their life. It’s like a lifeline for the 300+ clients we support.”
Claxton and Tulimaiau-Hafoka bring a combined 28 years of experience supporting families through IF from our friends Lifewise New Zealand. Since joining the team in January this year, Claxton has seen a 20 percent growth in clients receiving IF Host Services at Visionwest.
“The hard part,” she says, “is knowing that there are so many families out there who need support but haven’t accessed it, or don’t know how.”
An Ongoing Connection
Individualised Funding Host Services has greatly evolved since its beginnings at Visionwest in 2009 and continues on growing. Changes to flexible funding, announced on 1 April 2026 by Disability Support Services, means that whānau are no longer restricted by purchasing rules, giving them more autonomy within their personalised budget and support plan.
As one of nine Individualised Funding Host organisations approved by Disability Support Services, our IF team is committed to providing an integrated approach in supporting people to overcome any barriers they face while living in the community.
Visionwest Individualised Funding Host Services are currently available in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Taupō, Gisborne and Taranaki.
Learn more about our IF Host Services here:
https://visionwest.org.nz/home-healthcare/services/individualised-funding/
