A guide to increased social & community participation

Social and community participation is an opportunity to connect with others, form meaningful relationships, and take part in activities that bring us joy. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) recognises the importance of social and community participation, and offers support for people with disability to participate in these activities.

If you’re not 100% sure about what you can use your community participation funding for, our caring team at Like Family can help you get a better understanding of what is and isn't covered.

In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at:

• What is social & community participation?
• What is NDIS Increased Social & Community Participation?
• The difference between Capacity Building and Core Support
• What does this support cover?
• What does this support not cover?

What is social & community participation?

Have you heard about social and community participation, but still aren’t quite sure what it is? In simple terms, social and community participation is all about connecting with people who share your interests and taking part in activities that bring you joy.

You get to mingle with like-minded people, spend time enjoying the things you love the most, and engage with your local community. The best part is, you get to choose activities you enjoy!

Social and community participation is unique for everyone — it depends on your needs and interests. It can be as simple as hanging out at your local cafe, playing football with a team, going on bushwalks with a support worker, or learning new skills via a driving lesson.

What is NDIS Increased Social & Community Participation?

Increased Social and Community Participation under the NDIS is about helping people with disability to participate in social and community activities that are beyond their usual routine or essential needs.

It covers a wide range of activities such as going on a camp or starting dance lessons. The goal is to empower individuals to increase their independence, learn new skills and improve their overall wellbeing.

The difference between Capacity Building & Core Support

There are two types of support budgets that can help you participate in your community. These are 'Capacity Building’ and 'Core Supports'.

Core Supports cover the ongoing help you may need to participate in your community. For example, if you need an NDIS support worker to take you to an appointment, you can use your Core Support budget to pay for that.

Capacity Building is where 'Increased Social and Community Participation' support comes in. This category focuses on developing new skills, so you can achieve greater independence and confidence.

So, while core supports help you with your day-to-day needs, capacity building supports are more focused on helping you achieve your long-term goals and become more independent. Both types of support are important, and your NDIS plan may include a mix of both to meet your specific needs.

What does Increased Social and Community Participation funding cover?

There are a wide variety of ways you can use your funding to increase social and community participation. You may use it to learn a new skill, explore a new hobby, or even volunteer for a cause you're passionate about.

Here are some examples to get you started:

• Camping and vacation trips
• Lessons to help you learn new skills, like horse riding, pottery, or playing a musical instrument
• Training in life skills, like using public transportation or managing money
• Social or communication skills classes
• Membership fees to join a new sports team
• Volunteering arrangements in the community

Just remember—it's essential that the activities you choose are considered "reasonable and necessary" and align with your NDIS plan goals. This means that the activity should contribute to your overall well-being and help you achieve the objectives outlined in your plan.

What does this funding not cover?

While your Capacity Building funding can go towards building skills, there are certain situations and things it can’t be used for. For example, it may cover the cost of basketball lessons for a term, but not the cost of a sports uniform.

Here are some other things it may not cover:

• Medical or healthcare expenses not related to disability support
• Basic household expenses like rent, utilities, and groceries
• Personal care items like toiletries and clothing
• Equipment or technology not directly related to disability support
• Leisure activities that do not build skills related to community participation
• Travel or transportation costs not directly related to disability support

That being said, there may be other sources of support available to help with these costs. For example, the Companion Card program offers free or discounted entry for support companions at participating venues and events. These avenues can help make the desired activities more accessible and affordable, further enhancing community participation.

It's always a good idea to explore all possible avenues of support to help make the most of your NDIS funding and achieve your goals.

How to get funding for Increased Social & Community Participation

Whether you're new to the NDIS or preparing for a plan review, talk to your Local Area Coordinator, Support Coordinator or the NDIS about funding for Increased Social and Community Participation. They'll help you figure out if the services and supports you're interested in are necessary, reasonable and align with your goals.

Just remember: Capacity Building offers less flexibility than Core Supports. It's often tied to specific service providers, programs, or interventions aimed at achieving measurable outcomes and building sustainable skills and capabilities. So if you obtain funding for Increased Social and Community Participation, it's essential you use it the right way.

Increase social and community participation with Like Family

Did you know Like Family specialises in social and community participation? That's why we call our support workers "Social Carers"!

Increased Social and Community Participation is 1 of the 5 NDIS support categories that you can use to access our services. Our Social Carers can help you build skills, get out and about, prepare meals, improve health and wellbeing, and much more.

If you're interested in learning more, head to our website or contact our friendly team at hello@likefamily.com.au