Social & Community Participation vs Daily Living Support
Compare social and community participation with daily living support, including where each is usually delivered and how both may work together in an NDIS support routine.
The quick answer
Daily living support and community participation can both involve a support worker, but they focus on different parts of everyday life. Daily living support helps with routine tasks and personal activities, while community participation helps the participant engage outside the home and connect with activities and interests.
Daily living support
Daily living support can include assistance with everyday activities such as meal preparation, cleaning, personal care, household routines and building practical independence.
These supports are often delivered at home, although daily living tasks can also involve practical activities in the community such as shopping.
Social and community participation
Community participation support helps a participant take part in social, recreational, personal-interest and community activities. A worker may assist with planning, transport, communication, mobility or participation at the destination.
The focus is on helping the participant engage in community life in a way that matches their interests and goals.
How they can overlap
A single support shift may include more than one type of practical assistance. For example, a worker might help the participant prepare for an outing, travel to an activity, provide support while there and then return home.
The service agreement and the participant’s plan should make the intended support clear.
Which support should I ask about?
Start with the outcome you are trying to achieve. If the main need is everyday routines at home, daily living or in-home support may be the better starting point. If the main goal is taking part in activities outside the home, community participation may be more relevant.
AIC Services can discuss its service options, while the participant should check their current NDIS plan for funding details.
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
Is shopping daily living support or community participation?
It can depend on the purpose and support being delivered. Shopping may be an everyday daily-living task, a community-access activity, or part of a broader support shift.
Can the same support worker help at home and in the community?
A worker may provide different agreed supports across a shift when this fits the participant’s needs, plan, service agreement and the worker’s role.
Which service should I contact AIC Services about?
If you are unsure, describe the participant’s goals, routines and where support is needed. AIC Services can explain which of its service options may be relevant and whether it is currently available.
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