Community-Based Social Supports

Supporting meaningful participation, social connection, and independence through real-world experiences — in Ballarat and surrounding areas

Our Community-Based Social Supports help participants build confidence, develop meaningful friendships, and increase independence through real-world social experiences. Support workers provide practical coaching and guidance directly in community settings — where social skills are practised naturally and reinforced over time, not rehearsed in a clinic first. This approach connects with our Unified Social Model of Care, linking structured skill development with real-world application for lasting participation outcomes.

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What This Support May Include

  • Social Participation — developing confidence in social environments and community settings

  • Recreation and Leisure — exploring hobbies, interests, clubs, and community activities

  • Community Navigation — building confidence using public transport, community facilities, and local services

  • Friendship and Social Connection — creating opportunities to develop and strengthen relationships

  • Independence Building — practising skills that support greater autonomy in daily life

  • Confidence Development — learning through real-world experiences and supported participation

How It Works

  • Support-worker guided — a support worker works alongside the participant directly in community settings, providing practical coaching and guidance in the moment

  • In-person, in the community — sessions happen in real environments across Ballarat and surrounding areas — cafés, public transport, clubs, local events — not in an office or clinic

  • Skills built where they're used — this is deliberate: confidence and independence are built through lived experience, not rehearsed in a classroom and hoped to transfer later. Skills are developed directly in the setting where the participant needs them

Is This Support Right for You (or Your Family Member)?

Community-based social supports may be a good fit for someone who:

  • Wants to increase independence

  • Is looking to develop social confidence

  • Wishes to build friendships and social networks

  • Wants support exploring community opportunities

  • Is preparing for employment or further education

  • Would like to develop practical life skills

  • Needs support navigating community environments

  • Wants to participate more actively in activities they enjoy

Every participant's journey looks different — some want support building the confidence to order a meal at a café; others want help attending university, joining a social group, using public transport independently, volunteering, or getting to local events. Support is shaped around the individual's own goals and interests, not a fixed program.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes — because this support happens in person, in real community settings, it's currently delivered to participants in Ballarat and the surrounding region..

  • Most participants have a diagnosis of Autism, ADHD, or a developmental delay, but a formal diagnosis isn't always required. Get in touch and we can talk through whether this support is a good fit.

  • Our Social Skills Programs teach social skills explicitly through a structured, evidence-based curriculum via telehealth. Community-Based Social Supports work the other way around — a support worker helps build confidence and skills directly in real-world settings. The two are complementary: many participants do both, using the programs to build skills and community-based support to practise and apply them in daily life.

  • Yes — Community-Based Social Supports are typically funded under Core Supports or Capacity Building in an NDIS plan. Get in touch and we can help clarify how this fits your plan.

  • Make a referral below, or get in touch to discuss goals, interests, and how community-based support could work for you or your family member.

  • We offer face-to-face supports to participants across Ballarat and surrounding regions, including:

    • Ballarat CBD

    • Sebastopol

    • Wendouree

    • Delacombe

    • Mount Clear

    • Alfredton

    • Buninyong

    • Smythesdale

    • Creswick

    • Clunes

    We will work with each participant to determine whether face-to-face supports are feasible in their area. Get in touch to discuss whether direct supports are available in your area. Contact us.

Build Confidence Through Real-World Experience

Meaningful participation starts with meaningful opportunities.

Contact Unified Care Solutions to discuss community-based social supports tailored to individual goals, interests, and aspirations.

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