COURSE OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the Assisting NDIS Participants with Group & Centre-Based Activities course. This program has been developed to support you in delivering engaging, inclusive, and purpose-driven group and centre-based programs under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). These activities play a vital role in enhancing participants’ social connection, skill development, and community engagement. Group settings also offer opportunities for building friendships, learning new skills, and improving wellbeing in a safe, structured, and supported environment. As a support professional, your role in facilitating these activities is critical to helping participants lead meaningful, socially connected lives.

Group and centre-based activities are a core area of funded support under the NDIS. This course begins by introducing the scope and purpose of these services, including their role in achieving individual participant goals and promoting psychosocial wellbeing. It outlines the support worker’s responsibilities in facilitating safe, inclusive, and engaging group programs, and explains how these supports align with NDIS principles of choice, control, and community participation.

Successful group activity delivery begins with thoughtful planning. This section details how to assess participant interests, abilities, and support needs to develop tailored group activity schedules. It outlines how to plan meaningful sessions, coordinate resources, and organise logistics to ensure smooth delivery while maximising participation, engagement, and enjoyment.

Facilitating positive social interaction is one of the most powerful outcomes of group-based supports. This section explores techniques for encouraging communication, fostering peer connections, and supporting participants in building lasting friendships and social confidence. It also addresses managing group dynamics, promoting inclusivity, and creating a welcoming environment for all participants.

Cultural and recreational activities provide enriching opportunities for learning, expression, and celebration. This section discusses how to organise culturally relevant outings, community events, and recreational sessions that are inclusive and respectful. It also provides guidance on promoting cultural awareness, responding to individual preferences, and ensuring all participants feel seen, valued, and included.

Life skills can be developed effectively in group formats. This section outlines how to conduct structured workshops in areas such as budgeting, cooking, household skills, or digital literacy. It includes methods for supporting individual skill acquisition, evaluating progress, and providing supportive feedback to participants to encourage confidence and ongoing development.

Creative expression is a valuable part of personal and social wellbeing. This section explains how to facilitate group sessions in visual arts, music, dance, or drama. It highlights the benefits of self-expression, sensory engagement, and emotional exploration through creative outlets. It also discusses how to organise group exhibitions or performances that celebrate participant talents and achievements.

Promoting health and physical wellbeing is an important objective of many group programs. This section explores how to facilitate exercise and movement sessions tailored to participant abilities, collaborate with allied health professionals on specialised programs, and encourage healthy habits. It emphasises building routines that support long-term health and fitness in enjoyable and inclusive ways.

Educational opportunities support lifelong learning and empowerment. This section discusses how to provide access to literacy, numeracy, and general education programs within group settings. It also highlights how to encourage goal-setting and curiosity through structured and informal learning experiences that support growth, confidence, and capability development.

Community involvement fosters a sense of purpose and belonging. This section outlines how to support participants in identifying and engaging with community-based volunteer opportunities and events. It also includes guidance on partnering with local organisations to create inclusive pathways to social contribution and positive community connections.

Ensuring participant safety is paramount in all group and centre-based activities. This section provides a framework for conducting risk assessments, implementing preventative strategies, and managing emergencies. It includes examples of common risks in group settings and outlines the role of support workers in promoting safety and responding calmly and professionally to incidents.

Transport is often essential for participant access to activities. This section details how to coordinate safe and reliable transport, taking into account accessibility, timing, and individual mobility needs. It also provides strategies for supporting participants during travel, ensuring dignity and comfort throughout the journey to and from activity venues.

Effective communication and accurate documentation underpin quality service delivery. This section outlines how to maintain clear and respectful communication with participants and their families, record attendance, document progress, and report incidents. It also includes guidance on using participant feedback to inform ongoing improvements in programming and delivery.

Collaboration with other professionals enhances support quality. This section explores how to work in partnership with therapists, educators, and other multidisciplinary team members to create integrated support environments. It discusses the importance of consistent information sharing and participating in team meetings to ensure coordinated and holistic care.

Respect for cultural identity is essential to inclusive programming. This section explains how to adapt group activities to reflect participants’ cultural, religious, and linguistic backgrounds. It also includes guidance on accessing culturally appropriate resources and embedding cultural safety into everyday practice to support belonging and respectful engagement.

Ongoing evaluation ensures activities remain relevant and impactful. This section details how to assess the effectiveness of activities, collect participant feedback, and use outcome data to refine and adjust programs. It includes strategies for tracking engagement, measuring goal attainment, and using evaluation to inform continuous quality improvement.

All support work must be delivered within a framework of ethical conduct. This section outlines how to maintain professional boundaries, uphold participant rights, and comply with the NDIS Code of Conduct and organisational policies. It discusses ethical decision-making in group contexts and how to manage confidentiality and informed consent appropriately.

Participant autonomy must remain central in group settings. This section explores how to support individual choice, encourage decision-making, and allow participants to shape their experiences within group programs. It also covers how to respect individual preferences, foster independence, and adapt support to accommodate different levels of ability and confidence.

Professional growth contributes to service excellence. This final section highlights the importance of reflective practice, ongoing learning, and peer feedback in improving support delivery. It encourages support workers to engage in professional development opportunities, implement learnings from practice, and maintain personal wellbeing to support long-term success in group-based support roles.

By the end of this course, you will be equipped to confidently plan, deliver, and evaluate engaging group and centre-based activities that align with NDIS guidelines and participant goals. Your work will play a crucial role in helping individuals build skills, connect with others, and thrive through shared experiences in inclusive and supportive environments.

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 Group and Centre-Based Activities

·       Understanding the role of support workers in facilitating group activities

·       Overview of NDIS guidelines for group and centre-based supports

·       Importance of promoting social inclusion and community participation

2. Planning and Coordinating Activities

·       Assessing participant interests and goals

·       Developing activity schedules and plans

·       Coordinating logistics and resources for activities

3. Facilitating Social Interaction

·       Encouraging communication and engagement among participants

·       Supporting the development of friendships and social networks

·       Managing group dynamics and inclusivity

4. Cultural and Recreational Activities

·       Organising culturally appropriate events and outings

·       Facilitating participation in recreational activities

·       Promoting awareness and appreciation of diverse cultures

5. Skill Development Workshops

·       Conducting workshops on life skills

·       Supporting participants in acquiring new competencies

·       Evaluating progress and providing feedback

6. Arts and Creative Expression

·       Facilitating art, music, and drama sessions

·       Encouraging self-expression through creative activities

·       Showcasing participant creations in exhibitions or performances

7. Physical Health and Wellbeing Activities

·       Organising fitness and exercise programs

·       Promoting healthy lifestyles and routines

·       Collaborating with health professionals for specialised sessions

8. Educational and Learning Opportunities

·       Providing access to educational resources and classes

·       Supporting literacy and numeracy development

·       Encouraging lifelong learning and personal growth

9. Community Engagement and Volunteering

·       Identifying community events and volunteer opportunities

·       Supporting participants in contributing to their communities

·       Building partnerships with local organisations

10. Safety and Risk Management

·       Implementing safety protocols for group activities

·       Conducting risk assessments and mitigation strategies

·       Responding to emergencies and incidents effectively

11. Transportation and Accessibility

·       Coordinating transport to and from activity venues

·       Ensuring venues are accessible and accommodating

·       Addressing individual mobility and support needs

12. Communication and Documentation

·       Maintaining clear communication with participants and families

·       Documenting attendance, progress, and incidents

·       Reporting outcomes and feedback to relevant stakeholders

13. Collaboration with Multidisciplinary Teams

·       Working alongside therapists, educators, and other professionals

·       Sharing information to support holistic participant care

·       Participating in team meetings and planning sessions

14. Cultural Competency and Inclusion

·       Respecting cultural, linguistic, and religious diversity

·       Adapting activities to meet diverse cultural needs

·       Engaging with culturally appropriate resources and training

15. Monitoring and Evaluation of Activities

·       Assessing the effectiveness of activities and programs

·       Gathering participant feedback for continuous improvement

·       Adjusting activities based on evaluations and outcomes

16. Ethical and Professional Practice

·       Maintaining professional boundaries and conduct

·       Adhering to NDIS Code of Conduct and organisational policies

·       Ensuring participant rights and informed consent

17. Supporting Participant Autonomy

·       Encouraging participant choice and decision-making

·       Promoting independence within group settings

·       Respecting individual preferences and goals

18. Reflective Practice and Continuous Learning

·       Engaging in self-reflection to improve service delivery

·       Participating in ongoing professional development

·       Implementing learnings to enhance participant outcomes

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”.