Do you feel unsure about where to start with your NDIS plan funding? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. We receive hundreds of questions every year from participants who don’t fully understand their NDIS plan, and in many cases the contrast between Capacity Building, Core Supports and Capital Supports can be confusing.
To help you better understand the difference, we’ve put together a short article that explains one of the most asked about support categories (Capacity Building) and how it works in the grand scheme of your NDIS plan.
Capacity building at a glance
Capacity Building is different from Core Supports in that the funds are used to support goals that specifically build on your long-term independence. They are usually provided in addition to Core Supports, which ensures that you can comfortably perform normal daily tasks. For example, a Core Support might be using funds for delivery of meals on a weekly basis, whereas a Capacity Building support will provide you with the knowledge, skills and education to prepare healthy meals yourself.
How does capacity building help?
There are a wide range of different activities and goals you can achieve using your capacity building funds. As one of the more specialised support items in an NDIS plan, Capacity Building will allow you to access flexible, understanding and personalised care to ensure you can achieve your goals. Here are just some of the goals and activities that you could try using your Capacity Building funds for:
- Finding a job in the open employment market
- Travelling on public transport or in a taxi
- Cleaning the house
- Cooking meals
- Handling money
- Managing personal care
- Going shopping
- Participating in recreational activities (I.e. Sports, Art and more)
- Social skills and confidence building (I.e. Group activities with your peers)
- Attending work or other daytime activities
With so many goals and supports to choose from, it can be hard to decide exactly where you want to focus your efforts. That’s why it’s important to prioritise your needs early in your plan application or review, as your funding will be allocated between 9 different categories that dictate specifically how you use your funds.
Line items under Capacity Building
There are 3 main categories of funding in every NDIS plan (Core Supports, Capacity Building and Capital Supports). Within each of these categories are what is generally referred to as “line items” (or sub-categories), which are specific areas of support that dictate how you can spend your allocated funds.
Depending on your goals, you may receive one or more of the 9 possible line items as part of your Capacity Building funds. These include:
| In your plan: | Description: | How you could use it: |
|---|---|---|
| Support Coordination | Fixed amount that funds a Support Coordinator to help you best utilise your NDIS plan. | Asking your support coordinator to find and book an appointment with an allied health professional. |
| Improved Living Arrangements | Supports that help you find and maintain a place to live. | Using breakthru’s service to help search for rental properties online and meeting tenancy obligations. |
| Increased Social & Community Participation | Supports that provide training and skills to manage life independently and increase participation in your community. | Help finding, organising or attend community programs or group activities to build relationship skills. |
| Finding & Keeping a Job | Services to help you with employment-related supports, including training and assessments. | Assistance with training and education, updating your resume, applying for jobs and preparing for job interviews. |
| Improved Relationships | Helps develop positive behaviours, including social skills development. | Regular face to face meetings with your therapist as part of a behaviour management plan. |
| Improved Health & Wellbeing | Services that help you manage diet, exercise, nutrition and physical wellbeing. | Getting access to a nutritionist who can create individualised healthy meal plans. |
| Improved Learning | Supports that help research and apply for study or training opportunities. | Direct support with day to day learning activities like study schedules, adequate accomodation, time management and more. |
| Improved Life Choices | Services to help you with your plan management, organisational and self-management skills. | Engaging with a service provider to get financial assistance and plan management services. |
| Improved Daily Living | Covers some services, therapy and/or training by a professional that can help to increase your skills, indedendence and community participation. These services can also be held individually or in groups. | Using breakthru’s Occupational Therapy, Psychology & Counselling services to support your goals. |
While NDIS supports are generally not flexible (meaning you can’t move funds between core supports and capacity building or vice versa), the NDIA will allow some flexible use of funds while COVID-19 is ongoing.
Capacity Building at breakthru
As a registered NDIS provider, breakthru has the resources and skills to help you with the Capacity Building supports in your NDIS plan. We offer a wide range of Capacity Building Supports in a number of our locations across Australia.
Our team of highly trained support staff are also ready to support you so you can live more independently and achieve your life goals.
To find out more about the capacity building supports we offer at breakthru, please contact one of our friendly staff today.
