Capacity building supports offered by the NDIS assist participants to develop the skills and confidence that will help them achieve their personal goals. Depending on your goals and your NDIS plan, these supports could provide or assist you in creating opportunities to develop skills to better integrate within the community, prepare for employment, enhance your capability of handling tasks of daily living, and other such supports.
At Cervino Disability Support Services, we understand that achieving independence is different for everyone. If you are looking for Disability Support Services in Melbourne, understanding how NDIS goals combine with capacity building supports can help you make more informed decisions about the support you receive.
What Is NDIS Capacity Building?
The NDIS offers a support category called NDIS Capacity Building. Capacity building supports aim to assist participants in developing the skills that will help them achieve the goals stated in their NDIS plan and consequently work towards increasing independence.
Rather than offering hands-on support to complete a task, capacity building supports are intended to help a participant develop the skills and confidence to accomplish a task independently in the future. The support provided will depend on the participant’s specific circumstances, their goals and their approved NDIS plan.
Common areas may include:
- Improved Daily Living
- Improved Relationships
- Improved Health and Wellbeing
- Finding and Keeping a Job
- Improved Learning
- Improved Life Choices
- Improved Living Arrangements
- Increased Social and Community Participation
The first step is to look at the goals in your NDIS plan and think about which particular skills and areas of independence you wish to work on.
Why NDIS Capacity Building Matters
An NDIS goal that is meaningful is usually related to something practical. You may want to become more confident going out in the community by yourself, learn new household skills, participate more fully in your community or become more independent at home.
NDIS Capacity Building may include funding in your plan for supports to help you work towards those particular goals, where they are considered reasonable and necessary and included in your plan.
For example, a participant whose goal is to become more active in the community may benefit from community-based opportunities to build skills in social participation and communication. Someone who wishes to have increased independence at home may benefit from activities to develop routines and daily living skills.
The most essential thing to remember is that supports should be connected to your individual NDIS goals rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach.
Key Benefits of NDIS Capacity Building
It May Help Build Everyday Independence
Building independence involves repeating a skill many times. Examples of skills that can be practised include developing decision-making abilities, routines, communication skills and confidence with everyday tasks.
For example, Improved Daily Living supports may help participants work towards increased independence in specific areas.
It Can Support Progress Towards Personal Goals
These supports can help you work towards your personal goals. NDIS goals guide your plan, while capacity building support can help you break a large goal into smaller and more achievable actions.
One large goal, for example, might be to “live more independently”. Smaller goals might include:
- Planning a daily routine
- Learning household skills
- Building confidence in community settings
- Learning to make decisions
- Practising travel or communication skills
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Increased independence may have different meanings for each person, with different supporting goals at different times.
It May Encourage Community Participation
Achieving personal goals is sometimes easier with practice in everyday situations. It can also help participants take a greater role in making daily decisions and participating in their communities.
Cervino Disability Support Services provides NDIS Community Access and Out-of-Home Care, which supports participants to engage in activities and events based on their personal preferences and interests.
Community-based activities can provide opportunities to practise and improve communication, planning and social participation skills.
It Can Support Greater Choice and Confidence
Building skills in these areas may help participants take more of a role in making decisions and directing their daily activities. Although not all participants may become fully independent in every area, each participant may develop greater independence in ways that are meaningful to them.
How to Use NDIS Capacity Building Supports to Work Towards Your Goals
1. Start With Your NDIS Goals
First, before selecting supports, review what your NDIS plan highlights in terms of what you would like to accomplish.
Think about the following:
- What would I like to be able to do more independently?
- Which of my daily tasks are the most difficult?
- What tasks or activities would I like to do to build my skills?
- What could I change that would have the biggest positive impact on my daily routine?
- What do I want to achieve in the areas of community participation, social participation, education or employment?
This can help you determine what supports may be related to your plan.
2. Break a Large Goal Into Smaller Steps
Sometimes large, long-term goals can seem daunting. Breaking a large goal into a number of specific short-term goals can help make progress easier to measure.
For the goal of becoming more independent in the community, some short-term targets could be:
- Starting to learn how to plan and organise your own outings
- Developing the confidence to verbally request assistance and speak with new people
- Improving your travel training
- Getting involved in interesting activities
- Accepting more responsibility
Supports always need to be based on the specific needs of the participant and how the funding in their NDIS plan is allocated.
3. Choose Supports That Relate to Your Plan
Not all supports will work for each participant. It is important to understand how your funding is allocated within your plan and how it can be used.
If you are unsure, discussing your plan with an appropriate NDIS professional, provider or support coordinator may help you understand your options. Cervino also provides NDIS Support Coordination services to help eligible participants understand and connect with relevant supports.
4. Look for Opportunities to Practise Skills
Learning a skill is often different from using it independently in everyday life.
Practising skills in natural and real-world situations may enable participants to apply and generalise what they have learned. For example, community-based activities could provide opportunities to practise and improve communication, planning and social skills.
Cervino’s community access services provide participants with individualised support to engage in activities and events based on their personal preferences and interests.
5. Review Your Progress Regularly
Progress towards a goal does not always remain constant and straightforward. Goals may take longer than expected or priorities may shift along the way.
Regularly checking in may help you consider:
- What is working well?
- Which skills are improving?
- What barriers are still present?
- Whether your supports are still in line with your goals
- Whether you need to discuss your plan or supports
Keeping simple notes or goal checklists can help address these points at review meetings and make it easier to discuss your progress.
Examples of NDIS Capacity Building Goals
The examples below are only to give an idea. Whether a support is allowed to be included in a plan and funded is determined by the individual participant and their NDIS plan.
Building Daily Living Skills
Independence with daily activities may be a goal for a participant. In accordance, supports may assist with practising and developing skills associated with daily living.
Cervino also provides information about Improved Daily Living Skills under the NDIS, including how developing practical skills may contribute to greater independence.
Increasing Community Participation
A goal may include a participant building confidence to engage in community activities, meet more people or spend more time in their local community.
In such situations, NDIS community participation may form part of a broader goal, subject to the supports included in the participant’s plan.
Working Towards Independent Living
Working towards greater personal independence may involve developing practical skills while receiving the required level of support to maintain independence.
Cervino provides Supported Independent Living (SIL) services and describes its approach as supporting daily living, skill development and community participation.
NDIS Capacity Building and Cervino's Support Services
At Cervino Disability Support Services, the focus is on providing support to meet the individual needs, goals and preferences of each participant.
The organisation provides services including:
- Supported Independent Living (SIL)
- Community Access and Out-of-Home Care
- Respite Care
- School Holiday Activities
Depending on individual circumstances and available funding, these services may allow participants to practise skills, engage in various community activities and work towards greater independence.
For example, Cervino’s disability support services provide support related to independent living, participation in community activities, respite support and school holiday activities.
Why Choose Cervino Disability Support Services?
Choosing a disability support provider involves more than simply selecting what is available. It is important to determine whether the provider understands your needs and personal preferences, communicates its process clearly and offers individualised supports.
Cervino Disability Support Services is based in Point Cook and provides disability support services to participants across Melbourne. The organisation’s website identifies services including Supported Independent Living, Community Access, Respite Care and School Holiday Activities.
When considering Disability Support Services in Melbourne, it can be helpful to discuss your goals, preferences and current support needs before deciding whether a particular service is suitable for you.
Getting More From Your Capacity Building Supports
The following practical suggestions can help you better utilise your NDIS capacity building supports:
Keep Your Goals Visible
Review your NDIS goals regularly and consider how each support contributes to their achievement. If a support no longer reflects your priorities, it may be worth discussing your options with the relevant provider or NDIS professional.
Focus on What Matters to You
Your goals should reflect what is important to you. This may involve greater community participation. For someone else, it may involve developing life skills to live more independently or building confidence to face new and challenging everyday situations.
Communicate About Your Preferences
Your support team should be informed about what matters to you. Explain your preferences, routines and goals so your support team understands the circumstances in which support should be provided.
Recognise Small Steps
Small steps are still meaningful and can add up to significant progress. For example, learning part of a new skill, becoming more comfortable in a community setting or taking greater responsibility for an everyday activity can all represent progress towards a broader goal.
Talk to Cervino About Your Support Goals
If you would like to discuss how available supports may align with your goals, Cervino Disability Support Services can help you explore its available services and discuss your support needs.
Based in Point Cook, Cervino provides Disability Support Services in Melbourne including Supported Independent Living, community access, respite care and other participant-focused supports.
Call Cervino Disability Support Services on 0439 785 283 to discuss your support needs and available service options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is NDIS capacity building?
NDIS capacity building refers to NDIS funding categories designed to help eligible participants develop skills, increase independence and work towards the goals in their NDIS plan.
Can I use NDIS capacity building funding for any support?
No. How funding can be used depends on your approved NDIS plan, the relevant support category and your individual circumstances. Check your plan or seek appropriate guidance if you are unsure.
What is the difference between capacity building and core support?
Generally, Core Supports help participants with everyday support needs, while Capacity Building Supports are intended to help participants develop skills and work towards longer-term goals. The exact funding available depends on the participant’s NDIS plan.
How can capacity building support help with independence?
Depending on the support included in your plan, they may help you develop practical, social, communication or daily living skills that support greater independence over time.
Can Cervino Disability Support Services help me work towards my NDIS goals?
Cervino provides services including Supported Independent Living, Community Access, Respite Care and School Holiday Activities. You can contact the team to discuss your individual needs, goals and whether its available services may be suitable for you.