Planning Community Access With a Support Worker
A practical guide to planning community access with an NDIS support worker, including goals, transport, accessibility, timing, support at the activity and safety considerations.
The quick answer
Good community access starts with the participant’s goals and choices. A clear plan helps the participant and support worker understand the activity, transport, accessibility needs, timing and the level of assistance required.
Start with the participant’s goal
The purpose might be social connection, recreation, exercise, shopping, attending an appointment, developing confidence or simply spending more time in the community.
Knowing the goal helps the worker provide the right level of support without taking over decisions the participant can make for themselves.
Plan the practical details
Confirm where the participant wants to go, how they will get there, how long the activity is expected to take, whether bookings are required and what accessibility needs should be considered.
If transport is included, discuss pickup and drop-off details and whether the worker will remain with the participant at the destination.
Agree the support worker’s role
The participant may want assistance with mobility, communication, money handling, navigation, personal care, meal support or simply having someone available if support is needed.
The worker should understand what has been agreed and what requires consent or a different professional role.
Keep choice and flexibility
Plans can change. Weather, fatigue, anxiety, accessibility or the participant’s preferences on the day may mean an activity needs to be adjusted.
A person-centred approach allows reasonable flexibility while still respecting safety, the service agreement and the participant’s funded support.
Helpful related pages
Continue with the guide or service page that best matches the support question you are working through.
Official NDIS information used for this guide
NDIS rules and terminology can change. These official pages are useful for checking the latest position.
Important: This AIC Services guide is general information, not an NDIS funding decision, clinical advice or legal advice. Participants should check their current plan and official NDIS information for their circumstances.
Frequently asked questions
Can I choose the community activity I want to do?
Participant choice should be central to planning. The activity still needs to fit the participant’s support arrangement, safety needs and current NDIS funding.
Can transport and support at the activity be planned together?
Yes. When a worker is providing both the journey and support at the destination, the full arrangement should be discussed together so timing and expectations are clear.
What if the activity changes on the day?
Reasonable flexibility may be possible depending on the participant’s preferences, safety, staffing, timing and service agreement. Discuss significant changes with the provider where needed.
Contact AIC Services
AIC Services
54 Main Road
Moonah, TAS 7009
Phone:
1300 023 456
Email:
support@aicservices.com.au
Office Hours:
Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
54 Main Road, Moonah TAS 7009
To reduce unnecessary third-party requests, interactive mapping is available from our Contact page and Moonah office page.
Contact details & map