COURSE OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the Assisting NDIS Participants to Develop Daily Care & Life Skills course. This program has been designed to equip you with the knowledge, person-centred strategies, and practical tools required to assist NDIS participants in building the life skills necessary for greater independence, self-determination, and wellbeing. Daily care and life skills form the foundation of an individual’s ability to engage meaningfully with their community, manage personal responsibilities, and pursue long-term goals. Under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), supports in this area focus on empowering participants to acquire or enhance functional abilities that align with their aspirations, needs, and psychosocial recovery.

Support workers play a central role in life skills development. This course begins by introducing the scope of supports funded under the NDIS for daily living and life skills training. It explains how life skills support contributes to independence, social participation, and personal agency. It also outlines the expectations for service delivery within a strengths-based, goal-focused, and culturally responsive framework that prioritises participant dignity and active engagement.

Understanding each participant’s needs, abilities, and aspirations is key to successful life skills training. This section details how to conduct comprehensive assessments in collaboration with participants, identifying priority areas for development. It also explores how to translate assessment findings into clear, achievable goals, and how to create individualised support plans that are aligned with NDIS funding categories and reflect participant voice and choice.

Shopping is a practical and valuable skill for building independence. This section explains how to support participants in developing shopping skills—starting with budgeting and financial planning, progressing to list preparation, meal planning, and ultimately supporting confident navigation of stores. It also includes strategies for teaching comparison shopping, handling money, and managing sensory or social challenges in public spaces.

Meal preparation is an essential aspect of independent living. This section outlines how to educate participants in safe and basic cooking techniques, food handling, and nutritional awareness. It also focuses on building participants’ confidence in meal planning and preparation, including adaptations for dietary needs, cultural preferences, and personal capacity, while encouraging safe use of kitchen appliances and tools.

Financial literacy is fundamental to long-term independence. This section explores how to support participants in developing budgeting skills, understanding fixed and variable expenses, managing bill payments, and accessing banking services. It also includes strategies for teaching savings habits, building awareness of financial rights, and providing support to reduce the risk of exploitation or financial distress.

Personal hygiene and self-care are closely linked to physical health, mental wellbeing, and social confidence. This section provides guidance on helping participants establish and maintain routines for grooming, bathing, oral hygiene, and toileting. It also addresses how to personalise support according to sensory sensitivities, developmental stages, and individual care needs.

Confident travel is vital for social participation and independence. This section explains how to provide travel training, including teaching public transport navigation, route planning, reading timetables, and understanding travel safety protocols. It also explores how to build participant confidence through graduated exposure and reinforcement of time management and travel problem-solving skills.

Social participation fosters belonging and personal growth. This section explores strategies for helping participants develop social and interpersonal skills, communicate effectively in group settings, and engage with their communities through events, clubs, or activities. It highlights the value of building social confidence and resilience through supported, positive social experiences.

Building and maintaining healthy relationships is a critical life skill. This section outlines how to support participants in understanding boundaries, consent, and respectful communication. It includes guidance on navigating peer relationships, romantic partnerships, and family dynamics, while addressing conflict resolution strategies in a supportive and age-appropriate manner.

Managing a home requires a broad skillset. This section focuses on teaching participants practical household management skills including basic cleaning, laundry, and routine maintenance tasks. It also covers strategies for organisation, time management, and assigning or sharing responsibilities, depending on the living arrangement and participant goals.

Health and wellbeing are interconnected areas of daily life. This section explores how to promote health education around physical activity, nutrition, sleep hygiene, and stress management. It also includes how to support mental health awareness, develop coping strategies, and ensure participants understand how to access routine and preventative healthcare services.

Effective communication is foundational to advocacy and self-representation. This section details how to help participants build communication skills, express their needs and preferences, and navigate conversations with service providers, employers, or medical professionals. It also promotes self-advocacy, rights education, and the ability to make informed decisions.

Employment readiness is a significant life stage goal. This section covers how to support participants with job-seeking skills including writing resumes, preparing for interviews, and building confidence in professional communication. It also explores options for volunteer work, supported employment, and vocational training programs aligned with participant interests and goals.

Learning is a lifelong process. This section outlines how to assist participants in identifying and pursuing education and training opportunities—ranging from basic literacy and numeracy to tertiary study or short courses. It also includes support strategies for setting personal development goals, accessing resources, and creating learning-friendly routines at home or in the community.

Digital literacy has become an essential skill in modern life. This section explores how to support participants in learning to use smartphones, computers, and other devices safely and effectively. It includes guidance on teaching email use, safe internet browsing, social media engagement, and using technology for learning, appointments, and daily planning.

Respecting diversity enhances participant trust and engagement. This section highlights the importance of cultural competence in life skills training, including how to respect cultural, linguistic, and religious practices. It outlines how to adapt support strategies to meet individual needs and how to facilitate inclusive participation in culturally significant community life.

Daily life involves risk, and participants benefit from understanding how to manage it. This section explores how to teach participants about personal safety in the home and community, identify potential hazards, and practise emergency response strategies. It includes development of personal safety plans and encouraging situational awareness in different settings.

Ongoing improvement ensures that support remains effective and responsive. This final section explains how support workers can engage in reflective practice, seek feedback from participants, and participate in professional development. It highlights the value of learning from outcomes, celebrating participant achievements, and continuously enhancing the quality of life skills support.

By the end of this course, you will be prepared to deliver structured, person-centred, and culturally responsive support that helps NDIS participants develop the life skills they need for greater independence and community participation. Your contribution is vital in helping individuals move toward meaningful, self-directed, and fulfilling lives.

Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:

1. Introduction to Life Skills Development

·       Understanding the role of support workers in life skills training

·       Overview of NDIS guidelines for daily living and life skills supports

·       Importance of promoting participant independence and psychosocial recovery

2. Assessment and Goal Setting

·       Conducting assessments to identify participant needs and goals

·       Collaborating with participants to set achievable life skills objectives

·       Developing personalised support plans aligned with NDIS funding

3. Shopping Skills Development

·       Teaching budgeting and financial planning for shopping

·       Assisting with creating shopping lists and meal planning

·       Supporting participants in navigating stores and making purchases

4. Meal Preparation and Nutrition

·       Educating on basic cooking techniques and kitchen safety

·       Promoting understanding of nutrition and healthy eating habits

·       Encouraging independence in meal planning and preparation

5. Financial Management Skills

·       Assisting with budgeting and expense tracking

·       Supporting bill payments and financial obligations

·       Educating on savings, banking, and financial literacy

6. Personal Care and Hygiene

·       Teaching routines for personal hygiene and grooming

·       Supporting the development of daily self-care habits

·       Addressing individual needs for personal care tasks

7. Travel Training and Public Transport Use

·       Providing guidance on using public transport systems

·       Teaching route planning and time management for travel

·       Ensuring safety and confidence in independent travel

8. Social Skills and Community Engagement

·       Encouraging participation in community activities and events

·       Developing communication and interpersonal skills

·       Building confidence in social interactions and relationships

9. Relationship Building and Maintenance

·       Supporting the development of healthy relationships

·       Educating on boundaries, consent, and respectful interactions

·       Assisting with conflict resolution and communication strategies

10. Household Management Skills

·       Teaching cleaning, laundry, and home maintenance tasks

·       Supporting organisation and time management within the home

·       Encouraging responsibility for household chores

11. Health and Wellbeing Promotion

·       Educating on physical health, nutrition, and exercise

·       Supporting mental health awareness and coping strategies

·       Encouraging regular health check-ups and self-care routines

12. Communication and Advocacy Skills

·       Developing effective communication techniques

·       Teaching self-advocacy and rights awareness

·       Supporting participants in expressing needs and preferences

13. Employment and Vocational Skills

·       Assisting with job readiness and vocational training

·       Supporting resume writing and interview preparation

·       Encouraging participation in volunteer or work opportunities

14. Education and Lifelong Learning

·       Promoting access to educational resources and opportunities

·       Supporting skill development through formal and informal learning

·       Encouraging goal setting for personal and professional growth

15. Technology and Digital Literacy

·       Teaching basic computer and smartphone skills

·       Supporting safe and effective use of the internet and social media

·       Encouraging the use of technology for communication and learning

16. Cultural Competency and Inclusion

·       Respecting cultural, linguistic, and religious diversity

·       Adapting support to meet individual cultural needs

·       Promoting inclusion and participation in diverse communities

17. Safety and Risk Management

·       Identifying potential risks in daily activities

·       Teaching safety protocols and emergency response

·       Supporting the development of personal safety plans

18. Reflective Practice and Continuous Improvement

·       Encouraging self-reflection and feedback for support workers

·       Promoting ongoing professional development and learning

·       Implementing improvements based on participant outcomes and experiences

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.

COURSE DELIVERY:

Purchase and download course content.

ASSESSMENT:

A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.

CERTIFICATION:

Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.