Social skills and relationship development
NDIS Capacity Building support
Coaching to build the skills for making friends, communicating and keeping healthy relationships, in one-to-one or group settings.
The short answer
This support helps you make friends, communicate and keep healthy relationships, through coaching and practice in one-to-one or group settings.
About Social skills and relationship development
Social skills are the many small things we do to connect with others: starting a conversation, reading body language, taking turns, handling disagreement and understanding what other people might be feeling. Some people find these skills harder to learn, and benefit from explicit teaching and practice.
Support can take the form of coaching sessions, small groups or practice in real situations. A therapist, psychologist, speech pathologist or trained support worker might lead it. Good programs are respectful, they build on your strengths and they do not try to change who you are.
Relationships also include friendships, family, romantic relationships and safety. Support can cover topics such as boundaries, consent and staying safe online, delivered in a way that suits you. Ask providers about their approach and how they involve family where you want them to.
Who is this service for?
People who want help making friends, communicating and keeping healthy relationships.
What a typical session looks like
Sessions focus on the skills that help people connect, such as starting conversations, listening, reading body language, managing feelings, making and keeping friends and understanding boundaries. A therapist or facilitator uses role play, discussion, practice and real-life outings to help people try things in a safe setting.
Work can be one to one or in a group. Groups let people practise with others and see that they are not alone, while one-to-one sessions allow more tailored attention. Families and carers may be invited to learn what is being taught so they can encourage skills at home.
Who delivers this support
Social skills support is provided by psychologists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, social workers and trained facilitators. For some people, a specialist with experience of autism, intellectual disability or mental health is particularly helpful. Ask about their approach, their experience with your age group and how they involve family.
How to choose a provider
- Ask about the qualifications and experience of the people leading the support.
- Find out whether the approach respects your identity and strengths.
- Check whether sessions are one-to-one or in a group.
- Ask how skills are practised in real situations.
- Ask how they address topics such as boundaries and safety.
Questions to ask a provider
- How will you find out what I want to work on?
- Will the work be one to one, in a group, or both?
- How will you help me practise in real situations?
- How do you cover topics such as boundaries, consent and staying safe?
- How will you involve my family or carers?
- How will we know whether it is helping?
Common mistakes to avoid
- Expecting a group to fix things without any practice in real life.
- Making the person feel there is something wrong with them, instead of building on their strengths.
- Not covering safety, consent and boundaries.
- Not involving people who can encourage the skills at home.
- Stopping too soon, before skills are used naturally.
Getting started
- Think about the social situations you want to feel more confident in.
- Talk to providers about their approach.
- Start with small goals and build up.
- Review how it is going and adjust.
How it fits with the rest of your plan
This support links with counselling, group activities, communication therapy and community participation. It is most useful when the skills learned are practised in real life, so it helps to plan how to use them at school, work and in the community. Relationship skills also include safety, consent and boundaries, which are important topics for everyone.
Eligibility
You can use NDIS funding for Social skills and relationship development if it is included in your NDIS plan. The NDIS funds supports that are reasonable and necessary: they relate to your disability, help you pursue your goals and represent value for money. Not sure whether it is in your plan? Check your plan, or ask your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.
Funding
Capacity Building supports help you build skills and independence. If Social skills and relationship development is in your plan, it is normally paid from a Capacity Building budget. These budgets are usually set for particular types of support, so check which one your plan uses. Many NDIS supports have price limits, so ask providers for a quote and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. Whether your plan is managed by the NDIA, by a plan manager or by you, ask for a written quote and a service agreement before you start. If your plan is plan-managed or self-managed you can use providers who are not registered with the NDIS. If it is NDIA-managed you generally need a registered provider.
What it costs
Supports such as Social skills and relationship development that are funded by the NDIS are paid at rates that follow the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, which the NDIA reviews regularly. Many items have a maximum price, and some prices are higher in remote areas. Before you start, ask for a written quote that lists each support, the hours and the price, and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits on the NDIS website. A provider may charge less than a limit. If you pay privately, the provider sets its own fees. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use providers who are not registered, and those providers set their own prices.
Life skills providers on the NDIS register
13,003 NDIS providers list life skills supports on the NDIS Commission register of registered providers. A register listing shows what the register says, not who has capacity.
Providers listing life skills
- 1 Abbira Care Services - VIC; includes Fraser Rise, VIC
- 1 Care Connect - NSW; includes Manly, NSW; Rooty Hill, NSW; Rosehill, NSW
- 1 Circle Of Care - VIC; includes Pakenham, VIC
- 1 Heart Care Services - NSW; includes Orange, NSW
- 1 In Town Services - SA; includes Mansfield Park, SA
- 1 The Helpers - NSW; includes Parramatta, NSW
- 1-Care - NSW; includes Lalor Park, NSW
- 10 Plus Care - VIC; includes Camberwell, VIC
- 121 Best Care - QLD; includes Calamvale, QLD
- 121 Supports Hunter - NSW; includes Hamilton, NSW; Newcastle, NSW; Newcastle West, NSW
- 123 Community Support - NSW; includes Ermington, NSW
- 13 Care Solutions - VIC; includes Cobblebank, VIC
See all 13,003 life skills providers
Listings by state and territory
- New South Wales (4,401)
- Victoria (3,825)
- Queensland (2,354)
- South Australia (1,257)
- Western Australia (1,066)
- Northern Territory (297)
- Australian Capital Territory (283)
- Tasmania (212)
Suburbs with the most listings
- Brisbane, QLD (608)
- Melbourne, VIC (477)
- Sydney, NSW (348)
- Central Coast, NSW (282)
- Perth, WA (264)
- Blacktown, NSW (241)
- Adelaide, SA (237)
- Parramatta, NSW (234)
- Liverpool, NSW (213)
- Tarneit, VIC (198)
- Geelong, VIC (185)
- Ipswich, QLD (185)
Listings covering the most areas
- Permalink Support Services - 503 areas
- Hunter Valley Care & Assistance - 249 areas
- Nurse Next Door Canberra - 189 areas
- Huge Care - 188 areas
- Aligned Assist - 184 areas
- Amazing Procare Toowoomba - 171 areas
- Allabilities Cares - 170 areas
- Allied Horizon Disability Services - 154 areas
Checking credentials
- Check registration Search the NDIS Commission's register of registered providers to see whether a provider is registered and for which types of support. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use unregistered providers.
- Ask about worker screening Ask whether workers hold a current NDIS Worker Screening Check where their role requires one, and how the provider checks its workers' identity and qualifications.
- Get it in writing Ask for a written quote and a service agreement that describes the support, the prices, how to change or end it and how to make a complaint.
Regulation and safeguards
NDIS providers and their workers must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct, and registered providers are regulated by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission Regulates NDIS providers and handles complaints about the quality and safety of NDIS supports. Phone: 1800 035 544.
- National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Runs the NDIS. Contact them about your plan, your funding and eligibility. Phone: 1800 800 110.
Related services
- Social work
- Specialised driver training
- Specialist Positive Behaviour Support
- Specialist Support Coordination (Level 3)
Frequently asked questions
What does social skills support involve?
Coaching and practice to communicate, make friends, understand social situations and build healthy relationships, in one-to-one or group settings.
Who can help with social skills and relationships?
Psychologists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists and trained support workers can all provide it. Ask providers about their approach.
Is it only for children?
No. People of all ages can benefit from support with social skills and relationships.
Is this only for children?
No. People of all ages can benefit from support with social skills and relationships.
Will I be expected to act differently?
A respectful program helps you build skills you choose, without expecting you to hide who you are.
Can it help with making friends online?
Yes. Many programs also cover staying safe and connecting online.
Is social skills support only for children?
No. Programs exist for children, teenagers and adults, and the content is tailored to the stage of life.
Is one-to-one or group support better?
Each has advantages. Groups offer practice with others, and one-to-one offers personalised attention. Many people use both.
Can this help with dating and relationships?
Yes, many programs cover friendships, dating, respect, consent and safety. It helps to choose a provider who addresses these topics openly and respectfully.
Can I use my NDIS plan to pay for Social skills and relationship development?
If Social skills and relationship development is in your NDIS plan and is reasonable and necessary for you, then yes. Check with your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.
How do I find a Social skills and relationship development provider near me?
Browse providers on SolDirectory, or send a free enquiry with your location and what you need and suitable providers will review it. Then ask each one about availability, a quote and a service agreement before you decide. Details come from providers and registers, so confirm them directly.
Sources and further reading
- NDIS: how the NDIS works, plans and price limits
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission: find a registered provider, make a complaint
Browse the NDIS and aged care provider directory
Helpful reading
- How to choose an NDIS provider: 12 questions to ask before you commit: A practical checklist for comparing providers, from how a service fits your plan to what happens when something goes wrong.
- Registered or unregistered? What it means when you choose an NDIS provider: Registered and unregistered providers can both be legitimate, but the rules, checks and options for your plan are not the same. Here is how to think about the difference.
- How to change NDIS provider without losing support: You are allowed to change providers. A little planning means the new service is ready before the old one ends, and nothing falls through the gap.