COURSE OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the Design & Deliver NDIS Group-Based Support Programs course. This program is designed to provide you with the knowledge, frameworks and practical strategies required to design, facilitate and continuously improve high-quality group-based supports that align with NDIS Practice Standards, participant goals and best-practice service delivery.

The course begins by examining the role of group-based supports within the NDIS framework, the differences between Core, Capacity Building and community-based groups, and the rules governing pricing, ratios and support types. The introductory section also reinforces participant rights to choice, control, inclusion and safety in group environments, alongside the provider’s responsibility to uphold high standards of practice.

Group-based programs exist to build participants’ communication, social and interpersonal skills while providing structured opportunities for shared learning and meaningful engagement. This section introduces the purpose of group-based supports by exploring how they strengthen peer connection, confidence and social inclusion. Learners will consider how groups develop daily living and functional skills using experiential learning, promote community participation through shared experiences, and support participant-led goals within collaborative and supportive environments.

NDIS group programs deliver significant benefits across learning, wellbeing and participation. This section highlights how peer learning enhances engagement, how group settings build cooperation and relationship-building skills, and how supported interactions increase confidence and social communication abilities. Learners will also explore how group-based learning supports emotional regulation, prepares participants for real-world environments and offers cost-effective support delivery for both participants and providers.

A strong understanding of group types ensures programs are tailored to participant needs. This section outlines the main categories of NDIS group-based supports, including skill-development groups, social and recreational groups, community engagement groups, health and wellbeing programs, therapeutic or specialist groups, and employment or vocational readiness groups. These group types demonstrate the breadth of options available to support diverse goals, interests and functional needs.

Group-based programs span multiple activity areas. This section examines independent living and practical skill groups, communication and social skill development, cognitive learning activities, creative and sensory experiences, and healthy living and recreation. Learners will explore how these activities can be sequenced and adapted to meet participant interests, safety needs, cultural considerations and developmental goals.

Eligibility requires alignment with NDIS goals and participant needs. This section clarifies the requirements for participation, including NDIS plan alignment, assessment of capacity and safety, “reasonable and necessary” criteria, functional and communication needs, behavioural support considerations, and ensuring group configurations are appropriate, inclusive and safe for all participants.

Funding knowledge is essential for compliant and sustainable program delivery. This section explains NDIS pricing arrangements for group supports, including Core and Capacity Building funding pathways, apportionment rules for group ratios, non-face-to-face billing, provider travel considerations and transport charging for community-based activities. Learners explore how participants can access and utilise funding to participate in group programs ethically and transparently.

Designing and delivering group-based programs follows a structured, person-centred process. This section guides learners through conducting needs assessments, reviewing group capacity, defining program purpose and outcomes, consulting with participants and families, and co-designing activities. Learners will explore how to create evidence-informed program models, weekly schedules and seasonal calendars, as well as developing risk assessments, group policies, behaviour management plans and safety protocols. Additional focus is placed on planning staffing ratios, preparing resources, training staff, facilitating groups using best-practice methods, managing group dynamics and documenting individual outcomes.

Best-practice facilitation strengthens participant engagement and outcomes. This section introduces person-centred, strengths-focused facilitation, supporting autonomy and self-direction, encouraging cooperation and peer interaction, modelling and scaffolding skills, using AAC and visual supports, and managing sensory, behavioural and emotional needs within a psychologically safe environment.

A capable, ethical workforce is central to safe group delivery. This section outlines the competencies required of NDIS staff, including understanding the NDIS Practice Standards and Code of Conduct, effective group facilitation skills, social coaching techniques, behaviour support knowledge, inclusive and trauma-informed practice, supervision skills, and competence in documentation and reporting.

Safety and risk management are essential in group environments. This section examines individual and group risk assessments, positive behaviour support strategies, managing conflict and behaviours of concern, emergency procedures for on-site and off-site activities, environmental safety considerations and the balance between dignity of risk and participant safety.

Documentation and outcome measurement support quality practice and NDIS evidence requirements. This section covers participation logs, progress notes, skill tracking, evidence collection for NDIS reviews, maintaining participant files, documenting communication and behaviour support needs, and monitoring group-level KPIs.

Continuous improvement ensures programs remain relevant, inclusive and effective. This section explores how to gather feedback from participants and families, analyse incidents and near misses, evaluate social and skill-development outcomes, assess activity effectiveness, and adjust group composition, scheduling or activities as required. Learners consider how to embed evidence-based improvements to enhance participant experience, safety and engagement.

By the end of this course, you will be prepared to design, deliver and evaluate high-quality group-based NDIS support programs that are person-centred, safe, engaging and aligned with participant goals—supporting stronger social connections, meaningful skill development and greater participation in community life.

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 NDIS Group-Based Supports

·       Understanding Group-Based Supports Within the NDIS Framework

·       Differences Between Core, Capacity Building and Community Group Programs

·       NDIS Rules for Group Pricing, Ratios and Support Types

·       Participant Rights, Choice, Control and Inclusion in Group Settings

·       Provider Responsibilities When Delivering Group-Based Supports

2. Purpose of Group-Based Support Programs

·       Building Social, Communication and Interpersonal Skills

·       Supporting Peer Connection, Confidence and Social Inclusion

·       Developing Real-World Functional and Daily Living Skills

·       Providing Structured Opportunities for Shared Learning

·       Promoting Community Engagement Through Group Experiences

·       Supporting Participant-Led Goals in a Collaborative Environment

3. Benefits of Group-Based Programs

·       Enhanced Peer Learning and Social Interaction

·       Opportunities for Teamwork, Cooperation and Relationship-Building

·       Increased Confidence Through Supported Group Experiences

·       Improved Emotional Regulation and Social Communication Skills

·       Skill Transfer into Community and Real-Life Environments

·       Cost-Effective Support Delivery for Participants and Providers

4. Types of NDIS Group-Based Support Programs

·       Skill Development Groups

·       Social & Recreational Groups

·       Community Participation Groups

·       Health & Wellbeing Groups

·       Therapeutic & Specialist Groups

·       Employment & Vocational Groups

5. Group-Based Activity Areas

·       Independent Living & Practical Skills

·       Communication & Social Skills

·       Cognitive & Learning Activities

·       Creative & Sensory Activities

·       Recreation & Healthy Living

6. Eligibility for Group-Based Programs

·       Must Be an NDIS Participant With Goal-Aligned Needs

·       Assessment of Participant Capacity, Safety and Group Suitability

·       Supports Must Meet NDIS “Reasonable and Necessary” Criteria

·       Consideration of Functional Skills, Communication and Behaviour Support Needs

·       Group Configuration Must Be Appropriate and Safe

7. Funding for NDIS Group-Based Support Programs

·       Core Supports – Assistance with Social, Economic & Community Participation

·       Capacity Building – Increased Social & Community Participation

·       Group Pricing Rules, Ratios and Apportionment Requirements

·       Non-Face-to-Face Time and Provider Travel Billing Rules

·       Transport Charging for Group Outings and Activities

·       How Participants Can Use Their Funding to Access Groups

8. Steps to Design & Deliver NDIS Group-Based Support Programs

·       Conduct a Participant Needs Assessment and Group Capacity Review

·       Define the Program Purpose, Outcomes and Target Group Characteristics

·       Consult With Participants, Families, Carers and Support Coordinators

·       Co-Design Group Activities and Programs with Participant Input

·       Develop a Structured, Goal-Aligned and Evidence-Informed Group Program Model

·       Create Weekly Schedules, Activity Plans and Seasonal Group Calendars

·       Perform Activity-Specific and Environment-Specific Risk Assessments

·       Develop Clear Group Policies, Behaviour Management Plans and Safety Protocols

·       Plan Staffing Ratios, Roles and Competency Requirements

·       Prepare Resources, Equipment, Facilities and Community Arrangements

·       Train Staff in Group Facilitation, Social Coaching and Behaviour Support

·       Deliver the Program Using Best-Practice, Person-Centred Group Facilitation Techniques

·       Manage Group Dynamics, Participation Levels and Behavioural Needs

·       Document Attendance, Progress Notes and Individualised Outcome Data

9. Best-Practice Group Facilitation Methods

·       Person-Centred and Strengths-Based Facilitation

·       Supporting Choice, Control and Self-Direction Within Groups

·       Encouraging Social Interaction, Cooperation and Peer Learning

·       Modelling Skills, Scaffolding and Guided Practice

·       Using Visual Supports, AAC and Multimodal Communication Tools

·       Managing Sensory, Behavioural and Emotional Needs in Groups

·       Ensuring Psychological Safety, Respect and Inclusion

10. Staff Competencies, Qualifications and Workforce Requirements

·       Understanding NDIS Practice Standards, Code of Conduct and Rights

·       Group Facilitation, Communication and Social Coaching Skills

·       Behaviour Support Awareness and Positive Behaviour Strategies

·       Cultural Safety, Trauma-Informed Practice and Inclusivity

·       Supervision, Observation and Group Safety Management

·       Documentation, Reporting and Progress Tracking Competence

11. Group Safety, Risk Management and Behaviour Support

·       Conducting Individual and Group-Wide Risk Assessments

·       Positive Behaviour Support in Group Environments

·       Managing Conflict, Escalation and Behaviour of Concern

·       Emergency Response in Group Settings and Off-Site Activities

·       Environmental Safety: Venues, Transport, Public Spaces

·       Balancing Dignity of Risk with Safety Requirements

12. Documentation, Reporting and Outcome Measurement

·       Group Participation Logs and Individual Progress Notes

·       Tracking Skill Acquisition, Engagement and Group Outcomes

·       Collecting Evidence for NDIS Plan Reviews and Reporting

·       Maintaining Participant Files, Risk Plans and Communication Records

·       Documenting Group Goals, Achievements and Barriers

·       Monitoring Provider KPIs and Quality Indicators

13. Monitoring, Evaluating and Improving Group-Based Programs

·       Gathering Structured Feedback from Participants and Families

·       Reviewing incidents, near misses and group safety trends

·       Evaluating Skill Development, Social Outcomes and Participant Experience

·       Assessing Activity Effectiveness, Scheduling and Group Dynamics

·       Adjusting Group Composition, Ratios and Activities as Required

·       Embedding Continuous Improvement and Evidence-Based Adjustments

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”.