What Are NDIS Group Programs and Social & Play Groups — and How Are Allied Health–Led Programs Different?
What is an NDIS group program?
An NDIS group program is a structured activity where participants take part in activities with other people rather than receiving support individually.
Depending on the program, this might include:
The NDIS recognises group and centre-based activities as supports that can enable participants to access and participate in community, social, cultural and recreational activities in a group or centre setting.
The NDIS also has a Core support category called Assistance with Social and Community Participation, which can help participants become more involved in community and group activities where the support is consistent with their plan and NDIS rules.
But there is an important distinction:
Not every group activity is an NDIS therapy service.
The NDIS states that therapy supports have specific requirements, including being evidence-based and delivered by appropriately qualified allied health professionals. It also specifically states that social group programs that describe their strategies as “therapy” are not funded as therapy supports.
That distinction matters.
Why are group programs valuable for children and adults with disability?
A well-designed group can create opportunities that are difficult to reproduce in a one-to-one session.
Participants can practise skills with other people, in real-time situations.
For example:
A child might practise:
🗣️ asking another child to join a game
🤝 taking turns
🧠 identifying emotions
🎯 following instructions
👂 listening to others
🧩 problem-solving
🏃 gross motor activities
🎨 participating in a shared activity
💬 expressing needs
⏳ waiting and managing frustration.
An adult might practise:
🗣️ conversation
🤝 developing friendships
🛒 participating in community activities
💰 everyday decision-making
🍳 cooking and meal preparation
🚌 navigating community environments
🎯 planning activities
🧠 problem-solving
💬 communicating preferences
🌱 developing confidence and independence.
The NDIS has research showing that social and community participation can contribute to belonging, connection, confidence, social networks and further opportunities for community participation. Research also identified capability-focused interventions that build social and communication skills and activities such as music, drama, art, sport and outdoor activities as potential contributors to participation outcomes.
Is a social group the same as an allied health–led group?
No — and this is an important difference.
A traditional social or play group may primarily focus on:
“Come along, have fun and socialise.”
There is absolutely value in this.
Play, friendships, recreation and social connection are important.
But an allied health–led group can take an additional step:
“What skills, participation outcomes and individual needs can we intentionally support through this activity?”
The activity can still be fun.
It can still feel natural.
It can still feel like play.
But the program can be purposefully structured around participation and development.
What makes Openhearted Support's group programs different?
At Openhearted Support, our approach is built around purposeful participation.
We don't want participants to simply attend a group for a few hours.
We want them to have opportunities to:
🌱 Participate
Become involved in activities rather than simply watching.
🤝 Connect
Interact with peers and develop social relationships.
🧠 Practise skills
Use everyday communication, problem-solving, emotional regulation and functional skills within activities.
💬 Communicate
Express choices, needs, preferences and ideas.
🎯 Work towards individual goals
Where appropriate, activities can be selected and structured around participant goals.
❤️ Build confidence
Experience success, make choices and participate in a supportive environment.
🌈 Have fun
Because meaningful development doesn't need to feel like a clinical appointment.
What does “allied health–led” actually mean?
This is an important question.
An allied health–led program means that appropriately qualified allied health professionals are involved in the design, planning, oversight and/or delivery of the program, depending on the specific program structure.
This professional input can help the program consider areas such as:
The NDIS describes allied health professionals as delivering therapeutic supports that can help participants improve functional abilities, develop skills and increase independence in daily life.
However, there is an important distinction:
An allied health professional being involved does not automatically make every group activity “therapy”.
A group program should not be described as an NDIS therapy service simply because an allied health professional is present.
Where a program is delivered as an NDIS therapy support, it needs to meet the NDIS requirements for therapy supports, including the applicable evidence, professional and funding requirements.
At Openhearted Support, we can therefore describe our approach accurately as allied health–led or allied health–informed group programming, while keeping the distinction between group participation and formal therapy clear.
What are social and play groups for children?
For children, play is much more than entertainment.
Play can create natural opportunities for children to practise:
The NDIS recognises the importance of children participating in everyday environments such as home, childcare, preschool, playgroup and other places where they play with family and friends.
This is one reason structured group experiences can be valuable.
Instead of telling a child:
“Today we're going to practise social skills.”
The child might simply hear:
“Today we're going to play!”
And within that play, there may be opportunities to practise communication, turn-taking, emotional regulation and cooperation.
🎨 What could an allied health–led children's group include?
Depending on the child's age, interests and program design, activities might include:
🎭 Pretend play
Supporting communication, imagination, flexibility and social interaction.
🎨 Creative activities
Encouraging choice-making, fine motor participation and shared attention.
🧩 Group games
Creating opportunities for turn-taking, waiting, following rules and managing winning or losing.
🏃 Movement activities
Supporting gross motor participation, coordination and confidence.
🎵 Music activities
Encouraging rhythm, communication, participation and group interaction.
🧘 Regulation activities
Introducing age-appropriate strategies for recognising and managing emotions and arousal.
🤝 Cooperative activities
Helping children work together towards a shared outcome.
The activities should be age-appropriate, inclusive and enjoyable.
👦 What about children who struggle in ordinary playgroups?
Some children may find large, unstructured environments difficult.
They may experience challenges with:
A thoughtfully structured group can provide additional predictability.
For example:
Arrival → Welcome → Group activity → Movement → Creative activity → Social game → Regulation/quiet activity → Goodbye
Predictable routines can make it easier for some children to understand what is happening and participate.
What about adults?
Group programs aren't just for children.
Adults with disability may also benefit from structured social and community participation.
For example, an adult group might focus on:
☕ Social connection
Conversation, shared interests and building relationships.
🎨 Creative activities
Art, music and other interest-based activities.
🍳 Life skills
Cooking, meal preparation and everyday routines.
🧠 Problem-solving
Planning activities and making decisions.
🛍️ Community participation
Shopping, cafés, libraries, community centres or other local activities.
🏃 Movement and wellbeing
Appropriate physical activities and participation.
🎯 Goal-focused activities
Activities connected to individual participant goals.
The NDIS states that Core supports can include assistance with social and community participation where a participant's goal is to spend more time in their local community and participate in group or social activities.
Why can group programs be better than one-to-one support for some goals?
One-to-one support has an important role.
But some skills are inherently social.
For example:
You cannot fully practise taking turns without another person.
You cannot fully practise group conversation without a communication partner.
You cannot fully practise cooperation without cooperating with someone.
You cannot fully practise negotiating a disagreement without experiencing a social situation.
A group can therefore create a natural environment for practising these skills.
This doesn't mean groups are appropriate for everyone.
The right support depends on the participant.
What should parents look for in an NDIS play group?
If you're searching for a play group for your child, don't just ask:
“Is it NDIS funded?”
Ask:
1. Who runs the program?
Are staff appropriately qualified and experienced?
2. Is there professional input?
Is an allied health professional involved in the program design or delivery?
3. What is the purpose of the program?
Is it simply recreational, or is there a structured participation and skill-building approach?
4. How are activities selected?
Are activities age-appropriate and responsive to participant needs?
5. How are individual differences accommodated?
Can the program accommodate different communication, sensory, mobility and participation needs?
6. How are parents/carers involved?
Will families receive information about participation and progress where appropriate?
7. Is the environment inclusive?
Can children with different abilities participate meaningfully?
8. Is it actually a therapy service?
If a provider says an activity is “therapy”, ask what professional service is being delivered and whether it meets NDIS therapy requirements.
These questions can help families distinguish between different types of programs.
Social group vs allied health–led group: what's the difference?
The important point:
This does not mean a traditional play group has no value.
Playgroups and recreational groups can provide genuine social connection and community participation.
The difference is the professional framework and intentionality behind the program.
Can an allied health–led group replace individual therapy?
Usually, you should not think of it that way.
An individual OT, speech pathologist, physiotherapist, psychologist or other allied health professional may have specific clinical goals that require individual assessment and intervention.
A group program serves a different purpose.
For example:
Individual OT
→ Detailed functional assessment
→ Individual intervention
→ Assistive technology assessment
→ Home assessment
→ Specific occupational goals
Group program
→ Social participation
→ Peer interaction
→ Practice within a group environment
→ Community participation
→ Functional participation
→ Shared activities.
Sometimes both may be useful.
And in some circumstances, an allied health professional may recommend a group-based approach as part of a broader intervention or participation plan.
The NDIS makes clear that therapy supports must meet specific requirements and be evidence-based.
💜 Why Openhearted Support takes a different approach
At Openhearted Support, we believe a group should have a purpose.
That doesn't mean every activity needs to feel like a lesson.
Quite the opposite.
We want participants to have fun, make friends and enjoy themselves.
But behind the activity, there can be intentional planning.
For example:
Instead of simply:
🎨 “Let's do some painting.”
We might consider:
The activity remains painting.
But the experience can have a much broader purpose.
🌟 Our children's social & play programs
For children, Openhearted Support's programs can focus on areas such as:
🧠 Emotional regulation
Recognising feelings and learning age-appropriate strategies to manage them.
💬 Social communication
Practising conversation, asking questions, listening and expressing needs.
🤝 Social skills
Turn-taking, cooperation, sharing and joining activities.
🏃 Gross motor participation
Movement, coordination and active play.
✋ Fine motor participation
Creative and practical activities that involve hands and coordination.
🌈 Sensory participation
Creating activities and environments that consider different sensory preferences and needs.
❤️ Confidence
Providing opportunities for children to participate, make choices and experience success.
And our adult programs?
For adults, the emphasis can shift toward:
A group shouldn't be defined by disability.
It should be defined by what people want to do and what they want to achieve.
❓ Is an NDIS group program suitable for everyone?
No.
A group program may not be suitable for every participant.
Some people may benefit more from:
The important question is:
“What type of support will help this person participate meaningfully?”
Not:
“Can we put this person into a group?”
Can NDIS funding be used for a group program?
Potentially, depending on the type of program, the participant's plan, the support category, the provider arrangement and the applicable NDIS rules.
The NDIS recognises group and centre-based activities as a type of support for community, social, cultural and recreational participation.
Participants should also check that:
The NDIS warns that participants may have to repay funding if it is used for something that is not an NDIS support or is not in line with their plan.
Important:
NDIS funding does not automatically mean that every group advertised as “NDIS” can be claimed as therapy.
This distinction is particularly important for parents and participants comparing programs.
📍 Looking for an NDIS social or play group in Melbourne?
If you're searching for:
“NDIS play groups near me”
“NDIS social groups Melbourne”
“NDIS group activities Melbourne”
“NDIS programs for children Melbourne”
“NDIS activities for adults Melbourne”
“allied health play group Melbourne”
“social skills groups for children Melbourne”
Openhearted Support offers group-based programs designed around participation, connection and meaningful development.
Our approach brings together the benefits of a group environment with the knowledge and structure of allied health professionals.
💚 What makes Openhearted Support different?
Not just play.
Purposeful play.
Not just socialising.
Meaningful social participation.
Not just an activity.
An opportunity to practise skills.
Not just a group.
A supportive community.
Not just “keeping busy”.
Building confidence, connection and participation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an NDIS social group?
An NDIS social group is a group activity that can support participants to engage in social, community, cultural or recreational activities, depending on the participant's plan and the applicable NDIS rules.
What is an NDIS play group?
An NDIS play group is a structured play-based group for participants, often children, that provides opportunities for social interaction, participation and recreation. The exact purpose and funding arrangement depends on the program.
Are NDIS play groups therapy?
Not automatically. A social or play group does not become an NDIS therapy service simply because it uses terms such as “therapy”, “development” or “skill building”. The NDIS has specific requirements for therapy supports and states that social group programs that describe their strategies as therapy are not funded as therapy supports.
What is an allied health–led group program?
It is a group program where qualified allied health professionals are involved in the program's planning, design, oversight and/or delivery, depending on the program. Their professional knowledge can help shape activities around participation, accessibility, communication, functional skills and individual needs.
Are Openhearted Support's groups only for children?
No. Group programs can be designed for children and adults, with activities and goals appropriate to the participant's age, interests, abilities and support needs.
Can children with different disabilities attend the same group?
Potentially. The suitability of a group depends on the participant's needs, the group structure, staffing and environment. An appropriate intake process can help determine whether a particular group is suitable.
Can a group program help with social skills?
A well-designed group can provide opportunities to practise communication, turn-taking, cooperation, conversation, flexibility and other social participation skills. NDIS research has identified capability-focused interventions and social/community activities as potential contributors to participation outcomes.
Is a group better than one-to-one support?
Neither is automatically better. Groups and individual supports serve different purposes. Some participants may benefit from a combination of both.
Can NDIS funding pay for group activities?
It can, depending on the type of support, the participant's plan and applicable NDIS rules. Group and centre-based activities are recognised within the NDIS support framework.
The Openhearted Support difference
We believe meaningful support doesn't have to feel clinical.
Children should be able to play.
Adults should be able to connect.
Participants should be able to enjoy activities that interest them.
And while they are doing that, there can be opportunities to build confidence, communication, independence, social participation and everyday skills.
That's the difference between simply running an activity and designing a purposeful group experience.
Play with purpose. Connect with confidence. Grow through participation.
About Openhearted Support
Openhearted Support is a registered NDIS provider supporting participants and families across Melbourne.
Our group programs are designed to create welcoming, inclusive environments where participants can:
🌱 Build skills
🤝 Make connections
💬 Communicate
🧠 Develop confidence
🎨 Explore interests
🏃 Participate actively
❤️ Feel included.
Interested in joining one of our programs?
📞 1800 976 186
📧 admin@ohsupport.com.au
🌐 www.openheartedsupport.com.au