Increased social and community participation

A Capacity Building category that funds skill-building so you can take part in community and social activities.

What it means

Increased Social and Community Participation is a Capacity Building support category in an NDIS plan. It funds supports that help a person build the skills and confidence they need to take part in community, social and recreational activities.

The focus is on building capacity. This can include skill development and training that helps you become more able and confident to join in the activities that matter to you. Rather than simply paying for the activity itself, it is about developing the abilities that help you take part more fully over time.

In practice

This category is different from the social and community participation supports funded through the Core budget. The Core budget can fund taking part in activities itself, such as support to attend an outing, while this Capacity Building category funds building the skills and confidence to take part.

In everyday terms, this means the two work together but do different jobs. One helps you learn and grow the skills to join in, and the other helps you actually get out and do the activity. It can help to think about which supports build your capacity and which help you take part, so your plan reflects both where they are relevant to your goals. A support coordinator can help you understand how they fit together.

A real example

For example, Aisha wanted to join a local community group but felt anxious about doing it on her own. She used her Increased Social and Community Participation funding for support that helped her build the skills and confidence to take part, including learning to plan her travel and manage new social settings. Over time she felt ready to attend more independently.

Increased social and community participation — FAQs

What does this category fund?
It funds Capacity Building supports that help you build the skills and confidence to take part in community, social and recreational activities. This can include skill development and training. The focus is on developing your abilities so you can join in the activities that matter to you, rather than paying for the activity itself. What is funded depends on your goals and needs.
How is this different from Core social and community participation?
This is a Capacity Building category focused on building your skills and confidence to take part. The Core budget's social and community participation funds taking part in activities itself, such as support to attend an outing. In short, this category helps you build capacity, while the Core supports help you actually join in the activity.
Can it pay for the activity itself?
This category is aimed at building capacity, meaning the skills and confidence to take part, rather than funding the activity itself. Support to take part in an activity is usually funded through the Core budget instead. It can help to think about which of your supports build skills and which help you attend, so both are reflected where relevant to your goals.
What kinds of supports are included?
Supports can include skill development and training that help you build the confidence and ability to join community, social and recreational activities. The common thread is that they are aimed at building your capacity to take part more fully over time. The exact supports depend on your goals and what has been assessed as reasonable and necessary for you.
How do the two participation categories work together?
They do different but complementary jobs. This Capacity Building category helps you build the skills and confidence to take part, while the Core budget can fund actually taking part in activities. Together they can support both learning and doing. A support coordinator can help you understand how they fit with your goals and how to make the most of each.

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