Increased Social and Community Participation is an NDIS Capacity Building support category designed to help participants develop skills, confidence and independence when taking part in community activities. The funding can support a person to become more active in their community while working towards their individual NDIS goals.
For people living with disability in Roxburgh Park, VIC, Australia, social and community participation can be an important part of building a fulfilling and independent life. Understanding how this funding category works can help participants, families and carers make informed decisions about the supports that may be included in an NDIS plan.
What Is Increased Social and Community Participation?
Increased Social and Community Participation is a Capacity Building support category within the NDIS. It focuses on developing a participant’s skills and confidence so they can participate more independently in social, recreational, educational and community activities.
Unlike supports that are primarily focused on completing everyday tasks for a participant, Capacity Building supports are intended to help people build their abilities over time. The type of support available depends on the participant’s goals, circumstances and approved NDIS plan.
What Does This Funding Category Aim to Achieve?
The purpose of Increased Social and Community Participation is to support participants in developing greater independence and confidence in community settings. Support may focus on learning how to participate in activities, develop social skills, build routines or become more comfortable accessing community environments.
For some participants, this may involve gradually developing the confidence to attend activities independently. For others, it may involve learning practical skills that make it easier to connect with people, explore interests or participate in local community opportunities.
Examples of Social and Community Participation
Social and community participation can look different for every person. Supports should be connected to the participant’s individual goals and should reflect their interests, preferences and desired level of independence.
- Developing skills to participate in local community activities
- Building confidence when meeting new people
- Developing social and communication skills
- Learning routines for attending community programs
- Participating in recreational or interest-based activities
- Building independence when accessing community facilities
- Developing skills to participate in group activities
- Working towards personal goals involving social or community engagement
How Can Community Participation Build Independence?
Community participation can provide opportunities for people with disability to practise everyday skills in real-world environments. With appropriate support, a participant may gradually become more confident making choices, communicating with others, following routines and navigating community settings.
The focus should be on building capability rather than creating unnecessary dependence on support. A person may initially need more assistance and gradually develop the skills and confidence to participate with less support, depending on their individual circumstances and goals.
Who May Benefit From This Support?
Increased Social and Community Participation may be relevant to NDIS participants who have goals related to social engagement, community involvement, skill development or greater independence. The appropriate support will depend on the participant’s individual needs and what has been approved in their NDIS plan.
Children, young people and adults may have different goals for community participation. For example, a young person may want to develop social confidence, while an adult may focus on participating in local activities, developing routines or increasing independence in community environments.
What Is the Difference Between Capacity Building and Day-to-Day Support?
Capacity Building supports generally focus on developing a participant’s skills, independence and ability to work towards their goals. The intended outcome is to help the participant build greater capability over time.
Day-to-day supports can instead focus more directly on assisting a person with activities they need help completing. The distinction between these types of support can depend on the participant’s goals, plan and individual circumstances.
Planning Community Participation Around Individual Goals
Effective community participation starts with understanding what matters to the participant. This may include hobbies, relationships, education, employment interests, fitness, cultural activities or becoming more comfortable spending time in the community.
A person-centred approach allows support to be shaped around these preferences rather than following the same activities for everyone. In Roxburgh Park and Melbourne’s northern suburbs, participants can explore different community environments and activities that align with their interests and goals.
Choosing Appropriate Community Participation Supports
When considering community participation support, it is useful to look at whether the activity contributes to the participant’s NDIS goals and supports their development. The participant’s preferences, communication needs, accessibility requirements and desired level of independence should also be considered.
Capability Care takes a person-centred approach to disability support, with a focus on dignity, choice, confidence and meaningful participation. For participants in Roxburgh Park and surrounding areas, this approach can help ensure community-based support reflects individual goals rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model.
Learn more about Increased Social and Community Participation and how this type of NDIS support can relate to building skills, confidence and community connections.
Why Social and Community Participation Matters
Being connected to a community can contribute to a person’s sense of belonging, confidence and independence. Meaningful participation can also create opportunities to develop relationships, practise skills and discover activities that support a person’s quality of life.
For people with disability, the right level of support can make community participation more accessible and comfortable. The goal is to help each person have greater choice and control over how they spend their time and how they participate in their community.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Increased Social and Community Participation funding?
Increased Social and Community Participation is an NDIS Capacity Building support category. It is intended to help participants develop skills and confidence to take part in social, recreational and community activities in line with their NDIS goals.
What activities can Increased Social and Community Participation support?
Activities can vary depending on a participant’s goals and approved NDIS plan. Examples may include developing social skills, participating in community activities, building confidence and learning skills that support greater independence.
Is Increased Social and Community Participation the same as community access?
They can involve similar activities, but the purpose of the support is important. Increased Social and Community Participation is a Capacity Building category focused on developing skills and independence, while other NDIS supports may have different purposes and funding arrangements.
Who can use Increased Social and Community Participation funding?
NDIS participants may be able to use this funding when it is included and appropriate under their individual NDIS plan. Eligibility and the way funding can be used depend on the participant’s goals, plan and circumstances.
How can community participation support independence?
Community participation can give participants opportunities to practise communication, social interaction, decision-making and everyday skills in real-world settings. With appropriate support, these experiences can help participants build confidence and work towards greater independence.