Creating NDIS Goals for Social and Community Participation

There are 2 key life areas that the NDIS specifically funds and actively measures (as seen in the NDIS Quarterly Report). These are Participation in Work and Community and Social activities.

We can also see that the NDIS is deeply invested in improving the outcomes for individuals as they funded 2 research studies in 2021 on ways to improve social, community & civic participation of adults on the Autism Spectrum or living with Intellectual or Psychosocial Disabilities (individuals aged 18+).

They have now released a number of guides using the outcomes of this research which will help us understand how to create social goals for our NDIS plans using terminology and outcomes the NDIS created. 

What does the NDIS mean by "social and community participation"?

Firstly, let's understand how the NDIS views this area of funding. They say the following:

Social and community participation is about meeting people with similar interests and joining in social and community activities.

It means going where others go, doing what others do, with other people and choosing activities you enjoy. Social and community participation also means different things to different people.

It can include going to your local café, joining a netball team, bushwalking with a friend, doing a craft class, getting work experience, or volunteering.

It is important to remember social and community participation is about doing the things you want as part of everyday life. These are activities you do for fun and can help your health and wellbeing. 

Prepare, Connect and Maintain

These NDIS guidelines were split into 3 parts:

1. Supports needed to prepare for social and community activities (E.g build confidence and skills)
2. Supports needed to access/connect with social and community activities (E.g support, peer mentors, building skills, accessing providers)
3. Supports needed to maintain and find new social and community activities (E.g support, coaching, mentorship)

This means they recognise you may need funding in each of these 3 areas to reach your social goals. They are thinking broadly and long term and so should you!

What goals could I include in my plan to get 'social and community participation' funding?

In order to get NDIS funding, you will need to create goals that attract social and community participation funding.

Here are some examples using the NDIS guidelines - it's always particularly useful to use the NDIS speak when creating goals!

You can see that these goals may attract funding in the 3 areas of preparing for, connecting and maintaining social and community participation:

• I want to feel included and connected to others
• I want opportunities to build relationships with friends
• I want to grow my social networks and feel more included
• I want to increase my confidence and build my ability to participate with my peers
• I need help to develop skills to be more independent and feel safe in my community
• I need to build skills and relationships that help me in getting a job
• I need to find activities I enjoy doing where I can meet other people and make friends

Your social and community participation goals can change with each NDIS Plan

You don't need to worry about setting goals that you may 'grow out of'. With each NDIS plan, you can have different social goals which become more relevant as you mature and transition into different life stages (getting a job, living independently, meeting a partner/dating) or when circumstances change (changes in your health, caring situation, interests, available options). At each plan review you would evaluate whether you met your social goals and how they will change.

The NDIS acknowledges this by stating:

"It can be good to try different activities. You may not know if you enjoy something until you try it. It may feel different at first, but with the right support and help you may find activities you enjoy. These activities can also change over time as your needs and interests change. Research shows that activities you enjoy and people who make you feel valued will give you the most benefits."

What types of social and community activities does the NDIS suggest?

Their research papers show that connecting with social and community activities can help an individual feel more included, build their social skills, and improve your social and emotional wellbeing. They suggested that social and community activities may include:

• visiting your friends and family
• going out to the movies or to a concert
• going places for fun, like shopping or visiting a museum
• active hobbies, like bike riding or dancing
• playing sport, like tennis or basketball
• learning new skills like art classes

How to find social and community activities

The A List

The A List is a national online platform of social options and includes providers of disability, mainstream and community supports.

Meet like-minded people and find something fun to do!

Visit: www.alisthub.com.au

Questions you can ask a provider before engaging them

It can be useful to ask how they will work with you and your family and carers. This can help you decide if they are the right provider for you. You may have your own questions or you can ask questions like these:

Skills and experience:

• How will you help me learn about supports that may be best for me now and in the future?
• What experience do you have in working with people on the autism spectrum, with intellectual or psychosocial disabilities?
• What outcomes can your supports, programs and activities provide me?

Working with you and your family and carers:

• How will you work with me to meet my individual needs?
• What evidence will you use to help me decide on the best ways to meet my participation needs?
• Can you connect me with other people like me for peer support?

Delivering supports:

• How will I know if I am benefiting from this service?
• What will you do if I am not reaching the promised outcomes?

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Source: Latest NDIS Guides

• Social and community participation

Disclaimer from the NDIS

The Guides are designed to help you understand the social and community participation supports that may be available to adults on the autism spectrum or living with an intellectual or psychosocial disability. It does not imply that a specific support will automatically be included in your NDIS plan. Some supports may be provided outside of the NDIS. All of the supports included in your NDIS plan must meet the reasonable and necessary criteria. You should read this Guide alongside Our Guidelines – Social and recreation support.