How Scope Day and Lifestyle Options programs are NDIS-funded for school leavers

Are you currently in high school and thinking about your next steps? If you’re finishing school soon, now is a great time to explore your options and find out what’s available once you leave. You could consider Scope Day and Lifestyle Options programs – as they’re now more flexible than ever.

Day programs are all about supporting people with disabilities, enabling you to do the things you love in a group setting, while meeting new people, making new friends, and participating in the community. And the best bit? Day services, like the Day and Lifestyle Options offered by Scope, can be funded through the NDIS.

Let’s take a look at what’s involved in these types of programs, as well as the funding options available to you.

NDIS funding for Social and Community Participation

Under the banner of Social and Community Participation, NDIS funding is available to support a wide array of activities and programs. It’s all about supporting people with disabilities to get out and about in local communities, and to pursue their passions and achieve their goals. Your NDIS funding could go towards anything from going to a music gig or seeing a movie, to joining in a community art class or sports club.

The funding is available under the following support in your plan:

• Core Support budget – Assistance with Social and Community Participation
  For example, a support worker could support you participate in social or community activities.

To access the funding, you would need to include social or community participation as a goal in your NDIS plan, and the supports required would need to be deemed reasonable and necessary to support these goals. With this in mind, it’s good to have some ideas about these goals before your next NDIS plan review. Start the conversation with your Support Coordinator by asking about how best to access the funding as part of your NDIS Core Support.

Exploring your options for day services

Depending on your needs, Scope can support you in a centre or in the community. Based on the supports you require, a range of support ratio options are available – for example, 1:3, 1:2, or 1:1. At Scope, we want to make sure you feel safe and comfortable, so you have the option of participating with others in small or large groups. The small group setting is a great way to build social skills and learn how to interact with others in a safe and supported environment.

At Scope, we have 24 service locations in over 20 towns and suburbs throughout Victoria that are designed for small group activities, programs, and events. In these locations, people of all abilities come together to try new things and make new friends in a group setting. You can also choose from a large range of activities.

In some locations, Scope also offers group after hours and weekend social activities, and even weekday camps. This can be Ideal for younger people, as these options help build independence, confidence, and a sense of community participation, while having fun and creating new experiences with your friends.

To find out which of Scope’s day and community programs are available near you, see a full list of locations here. Or, to learn more, get in touch today.