Unified Social Model of Care
A practical, evidence-informed approach that combines capacity building, social participation, skill development, and meaningful community engagement.
More than Support
At Unified Care Solutions, we believe disability support should focus on helping people build meaningful lives rather than simply managing daily tasks.
Our Unified Social Model of Care combines the principles of the social model of disability, person-centred practice, capacity building, and community participation to support individuals in developing skills, confidence, independence, and genuine social connections.
We recognise that disability often arises not only from individual challenges, but from barriers within environments, systems, and communities. Our role is to work alongside participants to reduce these barriers while building the skills and supports needed to achieve their goals.
Four Program Pillars
Capacity Building
Developing practical life skills and confidence.
Building friendships, relationships, and community belonging.
Social Connection
Functional Assessment
Focusing on sustainable outcomes rather than short-term assistance.
Supporting everyday participation across home, community, education, and employment.
Functional Independence
Our Process
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![Therapist documenting notes during a supportive consultation session with a client in a calm, welcoming office environment focused on communication and goal-focused support.]()
01. Social Functional Capacity Assessment
We begin by understanding each person’s strengths, challenges, and social participation needs. Our functional assessment process uses a combination of standardised psychometric tools and structured clinical interview to build a clear picture of social communication and participation needs.
The purpose of this assessment is to identify specific functional barriers to social participation. Results are used to inform targeted intervention planning within the PEERS® program and ongoing support structure, ensuring that each participant’s pathway is individually tailored and clinically anchored.
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![Group collaboration in a structured support or training environment, with participants working on laptops and engaging in shared planning and communication tasks.]()
02. PEERS® for Adolescents and Young Adults
PEERS® is a structured, evidence-based social skills intervention that teaches adolescents and young adults explicit, practical strategies for developing and maintaining friendships. Unlike unstructured social groups, PEERS® uses a manualised curriculum with clear, step-by-step instruction in social communication skills, supported by guided practice in realistic scenarios.
A key feature of the program is the active involvement of caregivers or key support people as social coaches. Caregivers are supported to reinforce and prompt the use of PEERS® skills in everyday environments, helping participants apply what they learn outside of structured sessions. This promotes long-term skill retention and real-world application.
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03. Community-Based Social Participation Supports
Following PEERS® training, participants are supported to apply social skills in real-world community settings where opportunities for friendship development naturally occur. This includes community activities, social groups, recreational, educational, and vocational environments where peers can be met and interactions practised.
The focus is on enabling access to settings where participants can identify shared interests, exchange information, and build friendships over time. Support workers use PEERS-informed coaching to reinforce skills in context, promoting independent social engagement and reducing reliance on structured support.
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![Professional group meeting focused on collaborative discussion, planning, and decision-making in a structured team or support coordination setting.]()
04. Review and Progress Tracking
Progress is reviewed regularly to understand how skills are being applied in everyday life and whether supports remain aligned with the participant’s goals. This includes monitoring social confidence, community participation, friendship development, and the ability to apply skills across different environments.
Review findings are used to refine goals, adjust support strategies, and identify ongoing areas for development. This ensures supports remain purposeful, responsive, and focused on promoting long-term independence and social participation.
Support that Grows with You
Whether you are seeking social support, skill development, functional assessment, or assistance navigating major life changes, our approach remains focused on helping you achieve meaningful and lasting outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime. If you’re feeling ready, go ahead and apply.
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No referral is required to access our services. Participants, families, or carers can self-refer directly. We also accept referrals from support coordinators, psychologists, GPs, schools, and other allied health professionals.
If you are unsure whether UCS is the right fit, we recommend getting in touch to discuss your needs, undertake program specific screening, and identify any functional assessment needs, or joining the PEERS® waitlist.
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Yes. You can self-refer by contacting us directly or completing an intake enquiry. We will guide you through the most appropriate entry point into our services based on your goals and support needs.
Self-referral is common for families, young adults, and participants already engaged with the NDIS.
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UCS services are typically delivered under NDIS funding, subject to plan goals and funding categories. We can support participants with both plan-managed and self-managed funding arrangements.
Where appropriate, services may also be privately funded. We can discuss the most suitable funding pathway during intake or assessment.
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Yes, some services may have a waitlist depending on current demand, particularly PEERS® program groups.
Wait times vary based on intake timing, program availability, and participant age group. We aim to offer clear timeframes at the point of enquiry so families can make informed decisions about planning and commencement.
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You can begin by:
Joining the PEERS® waitlist
Booking a functional assessment
Submitting a referral (for professionals or support coordinators)
Once we receive your enquiry, we will confirm suitability and guide you to the most appropriate service pathway.
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PEERS® programs are typically delivered via telehealth to improve accessibility across regions, including rural and regional areas.
Community-based support is delivered in-person, focusing on real-world participation in local environments such as community spaces, education settings, and social activities