What Can I Claim Under Capacity Building? Unlocking The Benefits with NDIS

July 23, 2024

If you or a loved one has a permanent disability, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can provide vital funding and support to help improve quality of life. 

One of the key areas covered by the NDIS is capacity building, which aims to build participants’ skills and abilities to become more independent and engaged in their communities. 

In this guide, we’ll explore capacity building, the types of support you can claim under this category, and the invaluable benefits it can provide.

What is Capacity Building

Capacity building is a core component of the NDIS, reflecting the scheme’s focus on empowering individuals with disabilities to achieve their goals and live their best lives. The NDIS recognises that with the right support and resources, people with disabilities can develop the skills and confidence needed to participate more fully in social, economic, and community activities.

The capacity building category within the NDIS encompasses a broad range of supports and services designed to enhance an individual’s independence, increase their social and community participation, and improve their overall well-being. These supports can include:

• Daily living skills development
• Mobility and travel training
• Assistive technology and equipment
• Support coordination and plan management
• Behaviour support
• Therapy services (such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and speech therapy)

By investing in capacity building, the NDIS aims to equip participants with the tools and knowledge they need to overcome challenges, gain confidence, and actively shape their own lives.

The Main Categories of Capacity Building Support

The capacity building category is divided into several sub-categories, each designed to help you build specific skills and capacities. Here are the main ones:

Daily Living Skills Development

One of the key areas covered under capacity building is daily living skills development. This support is designed to help individuals with disabilities learn or relearn essential skills for daily life, such as:

• Personal care (grooming, bathing, dressing)
• Meal preparation and nutrition
• Household management (cleaning, laundry, budgeting)
• Communication and social skills
• Time management and organisation

Mobility and Travel Training

For many people with disabilities, navigating the world outside their homes can be a significant challenge. The NDIS recognises this barrier and provides funding for mobility and travel training under the capacity building category. This support can include:

• Orientation and mobility training
• Using public transportation
• Driver assessment and training
• Vehicle modifications

Having the right support workers and providers is crucial when it comes to capacity building. If you’re looking for NDIS services near Penrith, Blacktown, or Macarthur, reach out to Interaction Disability Services today.

Assistive Technology and Equipment

Assistive technology and equipment are crucial in enhancing independence and accessibility for people with disabilities. Under the capacity building category, the NDIS can fund a wide range of assistive devices and equipment such as:

• Mobility aids (wheelchairs, walkers, canes)
• Communication devices
• Hearing and vision aids
• Home modifications (ramps, handrails, accessible bathrooms)
• Computer software and hardware adaptations

Finding and Keeping a Job

If you’re looking to enter the workforce or need support to maintain your current employment, this category will be of great help. You may be able to claim funding for:

• Assistance to explore different employment options and find a job that suits you
• Support to develop job-specific skills and workplace behaviour
• Training to help you understand your rights and responsibilities as an employee
• Help to build relationships with your colleagues and navigate workplace dynamics

Improved Relationships

Healthy and fulfilling relationships are so important for our well-being. This category focuses on helping you develop and maintain positive relationships with family, friends, and loved ones.

Some of the supports you might be able to access include:

• Counselling or therapy to work on communication skills and conflict resolution
• Training to understand and express emotions in a healthy way
• Support to build and maintain relationships
• Assistance in developing parenting skills and strategies

Support Coordination and Plan Management

Navigating the NDIS and accessing the appropriate support can be a complex and overwhelming process for many participants and their families. To address this challenge, the NDIS offers support coordination and plan management services under the capacity building category.

Support coordinators act as a valuable resource, helping participants understand their NDIS plan, connect with service providers, and ensure their needs are being met effectively. They can also assist with plan reviews and adjustments as needed.

Plan managers, on the other hand, take care of the financial aspects of an NDIS plan, managing budgets, paying service providers, and ensuring funds are allocated appropriately.

Behaviour Support

For individuals with disabilities who require extensive behavioural support, the NDIS provides funding for behaviour support services under the capacity building category. These services can include:

• Behaviour assessments and the development of positive behaviour support plans
• Training for participants, families, and support workers on implementing behaviour strategies
• Crisis intervention and support

By addressing challenging behaviours in a positive and constructive manner, behaviour support services can help individuals with disabilities develop more effective coping mechanisms, improve their ability to self-regulate and foster more positive relationships with those around them.

Therapy Services

Therapy services play an important role in capacity building for individuals with disabilities. The NDIS provides funding for a range of therapy services, including:

• Occupational therapy
• Physiotherapy
• Speech therapy
• Counselling and psychology services

These therapies can help individuals develop skills, overcome physical and cognitive barriers, and improve their overall well-being. For example, occupational therapy can assist with daily living tasks, physiotherapy can improve mobility and physical function, and speech therapy can enhance communication abilities.

By accessing these therapy services through the NDIS, participants can receive the specialised support they need to maximise their independence and achieve their goals.

What are the Benefits of Capacity Building?

Investing in capacity building through the NDIS offers numerous benefits for individuals with disabilities and their families. Here are some of the key advantages:

• Increased independence: By developing essential skills, accessing assistive technology, and receiving therapy services, individuals with disabilities can become more self-reliant and less dependent on others for daily tasks and activities.

• Enhanced community participation: With improved mobility, communication, and social skills, individuals with disabilities can engage more fully in their communities, fostering a sense of belonging and social inclusion.

• Improved mental health and well-being: Capacity-building supports can help individuals with disabilities build confidence, overcome challenges, and develop a greater sense of purpose and self-worth, positively impacting their overall mental health and well-being.

• Greater employment opportunities: By developing transferable skills and accessing assistive technology, individuals with disabilities may have increased opportunities for employment, enabling them to contribute to the workforce and achieve financial independence.
• Cost-effectiveness: While capacity-building supports may require an initial investment, they can lead to long-term cost-effectiveness and reduce the need for ongoing personal care and support services.

How to Access Capacity Building Supports

To access capacity-building supports through the NDIS, individuals with disabilities or their representatives will need to go through the following steps:

• Become an NDIS participant: If you or your loved one has a permanent disability that significantly impacts daily life, you may be eligible to become an NDIS participant (Check your eligibility here). The first step is to submit an Access Request Form and undergo an assessment to determine your eligibility.

• Develop a personalised NDIS plan: Once accepted as a participant, you will work with an NDIS planner to develop a personalised plan that outlines your goals, aspirations, and the supports and services you require, including those related to capacity building.

• Choose service providers: With your NDIS plan in place, you can then choose the service providers and supports that best meet your needs. The NDIS offers flexibility in selecting providers, allowing you to make informed choices based on your preferences and requirements.\

• Implement and review your plan: Once your plan is in effect, you can begin accessing the capacity-building supports and services outlined within it. Regular plan reviews will ensure that your support remains relevant and effective as your circumstances and goals evolve over time.

It’s important to note that the NDIS takes a personalised approach, recognising that each individual’s needs and circumstances are unique. 

The specific capacity-building support included in your plan will depend on your goals, aspirations, and the areas in which you require assistance to enhance your independence and community participation.

Choose Interaction for NDIS Support Coordination in Sydney

At Interaction Disability Services, we understand that building capacity towards independent living is a journey. That’s why our dedicated team of professionals is here to support you every step of the way with our personalised NDIS services in Sydney.

For over 40 years, we’ve been empowering adults with intellectual disabilities, including specialised support for those with Prader-Willi Syndrome. Our staff have extensive expertise, qualifications, and practical experience to provide exceptional, tailored supports that meet your unique needs and goals.

Whether you require support coordination, community access, accommodation, support coordination, or behaviour management, we offer a comprehensive range of NDIS services. Our person-centred approach ensures you receive the right level of support to live the life you choose with confidence and independence.
So take the first step towards reaching your full potential today. Contact us today to discuss your NDIS plan and discover how our friendly team can help you navigate your capacity-building journey with ease.

FAQs for Capacity Building

What types of support can be claimed under the Capacity Building budget?

The Capacity Building budget covers 8 categories: Choice and Control, Daily Activities, Employment, Health and Wellbeing, Home Living, Lifelong Learning, Relationships, and Social and Community Participation. It funds support aimed at building skills and independence in those areas.

Can I move funding between the Capacity Building categories?

No, the funding allocated to each of the 8 Capacity Building categories cannot be moved to another category. The funds can only be spent on approved supports within that specific category.

What is Support Coordination, and how is it funded?

Support coordination to help coordinate and implement support in your plan is included under the Capacity Building budget. It is a fixed amount of funding for this service if it is required.

Can Capacity Building funding be used for assistive technology or home modifications?

No, the Capacity Building budget cannot be used for assistive technology or home modifications. Those types of capital support are funded under the separate Capital Support budget.

What are some key benefits of utilising Capacity Building supports?

The website highlights benefits like increased independence, improved skills and ability to participate in the community, greater employment opportunities, improved well-being and quality of life, and ease to caregivers as participants build capabilities.