It’s Not You, It’s Systems: Social Work in the NDIS and the Reality of Capacity
A love letter to complexity, humanity, and making things work when the system doesn’t.
Remember that blog about sunflowers — how they instinctively seek light, grow towards warmth, and still bloom even in tricky soil? And before that, the one about jigsaws — where we talked about the beauty (and chaos) of trying to piece things together without always having the full picture?
Well, this is the follow-up — the one where we dig into the reality that some sunflowers are trying to grow in tangled systems with patchy sunlight, poor drainage, and a 20-page form asking them to justify their leaves. Like that half-finished jigsaw we talked about — the picture’s there, but key pieces are missing, and no one gave you the box lid to make sense of it.
What even is functional capacity?
In NDIS speak, "functional capacity" refers to how someone manages daily life — communication, social interaction, mobility, learning, self-care, and self-management.
But capacity isn’t just a tick-box assessment of what someone can do on their “best day.” It’s a dynamic, shifting, messy thing that depends on energy, pain, safety, history, trust, context, and whether someone actually slept the night before.
It’s also emotional. Exhausting. And often overlooked.
That’s where social workers come in.
What social workers really do in the NDIS
We're not just assessors. We're translators of experience. We sit beside participants and carers when the language of systems feels too far removed from the reality of lived experience.
We see people, not problems. We ask the questions that unlock invisible barriers. We help participants tell their stories in ways that are clear, dignified, and impactful — because the truth is, a good Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) doesn’t just describe challenges; it also reveals strengths. It opens doors to support.
Sometimes, we write. Sometimes, we listen. Sometimes, we witness a storm of grief, trauma, fatigue, or frustration. And sometimes, we quietly celebrate the small wins, like someone making it to an appointment they almost cancelled.
Beyond FCAs: The social work assessment toolkit
While FCAs are a significant part of our work, social workers also conduct biopsychosocial assessments and other tailored evaluations. These assessments consider the intricate interplay between an individual's biological, psychological, and social factors, providing a holistic understanding of their needs and strengths.
Whether it's assessing mental health needs, evaluating social support systems, or understanding the impact of trauma, our assessments are designed to capture the full picture, ensuring that support plans are comprehensive and person-centred.
Can social workers do FCAs? Yes — and here’s why.
There’s a common misconception that only Occupational Therapists can conduct Functional Capacity Assessments. However, social workers, especially those with mental health accreditation, are explicitly recognised by the NDIS as appropriate professionals for functional assessments, particularly for psychosocial disabilities and complex social situations.
The Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) also affirms that social workers specialise in psychosocial, capacity, functioning, and development assessments.
To the participants, carers, and coordinators:
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by paperwork, worn down by retelling your story, or frustrated by how long things take, we see you.
You are not “too complex.” You are not a burden. The system just wasn’t designed with your reality in mind.
But social work? We were. That’s where we thrive.
What makes a good FCA?
Not every professional loves writing them, and fair enough. But at Lets Reseed, I’m kind of nerdy about it. I believe an FCA should be:
NDIS-aligned, yes — but also
Trauma-informed
Strengths-based
Culturally aware
Realistic, respectful, and relational
It’s not about pointing out deficits. It’s about highlighting needs, supports, and opportunities for meaningful participation — the way sunflowers grow best with the right soil, sunlight, and water.
No one thrives in isolation. No one should be assessed without context.
Growing capacity, not just measuring it.
We don’t just write reports. We offer guidance. We link people to supports. We empower teams. We reflect the effort people make just to show up, and we tell the story behind the “functioning.”
Because functioning isn't always visible, and capacity doesn’t live in a vacuum. It lives in bodies, memories, families, systems, and communities.
So, to the incredible humans navigating the NDIS — you’re doing more than enough.
And to fellow social workers holding complexity with care and grit — keep going. You’re planting hope where it’s needed most.
Let’s reseed how we support each other.
At Lets Reseed, I don’t just work in systems — I work with people. If you're a participant, carer, support coordinator, or service provider looking for help with Functional Capacity Assessments, biopsychosocial assessments, or planning support for someone with layered needs, reach out.
I’m here for the messy bits. The real stories. The growing-in-odd-places kind of care.
🌻
Let’s make it work together.
👉 https://www.letsreseed.com.au/services/
👉 https://www.letsreseed.com.au/referrals
👉 https://www.letsreseed.com.au/contact-us