Community access support helps a person take part in life outside the home: going to the shops, the beach, the gym, a class, a club or a friend's place. Under the NDIS it sits under social and community participation. It works when it's built around the person's own goals and planned for their actual support needs.
It doesn't work when it's an outing for the sake of an outing.
What it can include
Getting to and from activities, with transport assistance where needed
Support during the activity itself
Building confidence in new places, a step at a time
Practising skills in real settings: catching a bus, paying at a counter, ordering a coffee
Joining a group program, or doing something one-to-one
Keeping up connections with friends, family and community
Why it falls away
Community access is often the first support to drop off when things get busy. The usual reasons:
The activity was never the person's choice. If the goal belongs to someone else, it won't hold.
The physical support wasn't planned. For someone with high physical support needs, a trip out means thinking about transfers, toilets, parking, heat and fatigue. If nobody planned that, the outing becomes the problem.
Behaviour and sensory needs weren't considered. Noise, crowds and changes in routine are real barriers. They can be planned for. They can't be ignored.
Different worker every week. Confidence in the community is built with someone you trust. A rotating roster resets that every time.
How we plan it
We start with what the person wants to do, then work back from there.
Goals first. What matters to them, in their words, and how it links to their NDIS plan.
The practical plan. Transport, access, equipment, toilets, timing, and what to do on a hard day. Written down.
A matched worker. Someone who suits the person and the activity, briefed in person.
Start small. A short, predictable first outing beats an ambitious one that goes wrong.
Review. Weekly check-ins for the first month, then monthly. We adjust as confidence and needs change.
Our programs
Alongside one-to-one support, we run programs across four areas:
Community and social connection
Skills, growth and independence
Movement, sport and wellbeing
Family and neuro-inclusive support
You can see what's running on our programs page.
Where we support community access
Deception Bay, North Lakes, Mango Hill, Redcliffe, Kippa-Ring, Burpengary, Narangba, Kallangur, Strathpine, Morayfield, Caboolture and across the Moreton Bay region.
Common questions
Can community access be combined with personal care? Yes. Many people need both on the same day. We plan them together so the person isn't handed between teams.
Can you support someone with high physical or behavioural support needs in the community? Yes. That's the work we're set up for. It starts with a written plan that covers the physical and behavioural side before the first outing.
Do you provide transport? Yes. Transport assistance is one of our services. We'll talk through how it's funded in the person's plan.
How do we get started? Contact us. We reply the same day. Support coordinators can use the referral form.
General information only. Decisions about a specific person's supports should involve their support coordinator and, where relevant, their treating team.