Turn community participation goals into real-life steps.

Start with the participant’s interests and relationships

Community participation does not have to mean joining a large group or attending a formal program. It may involve seeing a friend, visiting a place of worship, volunteering, attending a class, going to a sporting event, using the library, practising a familiar route or becoming comfortable in a local café.

Ask the participant what they enjoy, what they miss and what they would like to try. Also ask what currently makes participation difficult. Barriers might involve transport, communication, confidence, sensory needs, accessibility, timing or not having the right support alongside them.

NDIS goals are set by the participant. They can be short or long term and should describe something the person wants to work towards. Having a goal does not guarantee a particular support will be funded, so individual planning and current NDIS guidance remain important.

Examples of participant-led goals

A good goal sounds like the person, not a service catalogue. The examples below are prompts only. They should be changed to match the participant’s own interests, words and circumstances.

• I want to attend my local art group twice a month and get to know other members.
• I want to become more confident ordering food and paying at a café I choose.
• I want to reconnect with my cultural community and attend important events.
• I want to practise the route to my volunteer role so the journey feels familiar.
• I want to spend more time with friends and plan one social activity each month.
• I want to try different recreation options and decide which one I enjoy.

Break the goal into practical steps

A broad goal becomes easier to act on when it is divided into small steps. For a new group, the first step might be looking at options. The next could be contacting the organiser, checking accessibility, visiting the venue at a quiet time and then attending a short session with support.

Plan for communication, mobility, sensory needs, personal care, transport and safety without allowing the plan to take away choice. The participant can decide the pace and change direction if an activity does not feel right. A support worker’s role may also change as confidence and familiarity grow.

Write down what the participant wants the worker to do. That could include helping plan, travelling together, prompting communication, staying nearby, supporting personal care or helping reflect afterwards. Clear expectations reduce the risk of a worker directing the activity instead of supporting it.

Review meaning, confidence and connection

Attendance alone does not show whether an activity is working. Review how the participant felt before, during and after it. Did they have meaningful choice? Did the support make participation easier? Were there opportunities for relationships or skills to develop? Would the participant like to return, adjust the plan or try something else?

Progress might look like staying longer, needing fewer prompts, initiating a conversation, travelling a familiar section more independently or simply feeling less anxious. The participant can decide which changes matter and whether they want them recorded or shared with their chosen support network.

Pixel Care Group plans community participation support around interests, communication and personal goals across western Melbourne and Greater Sydney. Activities, transport, costs, safety needs and the applicable provider pathway are agreed before support begins.