I have a significant amount of funding allocated under CB Increased Social and Community Participation in my NDIS plan. My primary social interactions and sense of community come from professional environments, which is where I thrive. However, I’m finding it challenging to utilize this funding effectively.
I’m considering using this funding for a professional mentoring program that, while related to my work, is external to my actual job. I’ll soon be relocating interstate for work and am looking at this mentoring program as a way to build new professional networks and ease my transition into a new life stage.
Does anyone know if NDIS funding can be applied in this way, to support engagement in professional settings as a form of social participation?
Hi Zoe, typically, NDIS funding for social and community participation is intended to help increase your ability to engage with the community and build social skills, not directly enhance employment skills or professional capacity. If the mentoring program can clearly support your social integration, especially if you’re using it to build communication skills or relieve social isolation, it might fit within the guidelines. However, I’d say it’s a grey area if the primary focus is professional development.
Most of my social interactions do indeed occur in professional settings, and these are genuinely where I find social fulfillment. I’m not looking to boost my professional skills but rather to maintain my social well-being through these professional interactions.
If the mentoring program includes elements like attending social events or workshops that help you engage with others, it might be easier to justify under your NDIS plan. Emphasise how these activities contribute to your social well-being and de-emphasise the professional growth aspect.
As it currently stands, these things largely come down to perspective. If a participant can justify using funding for certain activities by tying it back to the fundings intended purpose somehow, then this is often considered acceptable. Obviously you want to be genuine when you’re doing this, or else, its just taking advantage of the scheme and ruining it for others in the long term.
However there are lots of legitimately justifyable activities. Your imagination is the limit.