Frequently Asked Questions
Group Centre Activities are NDIS-funded programs delivered in a centre-based group setting where participants engage in structured activities alongside peers. Programs typically include creative arts, cooking, fitness, life skills, social activities, and community outings. They are funded under the Core Supports budget, specifically under Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation, and are designed to build social connections, develop practical skills, and provide participants with a meaningful and engaging day program structure.
Individual community participation support involves a dedicated support worker accompanying one participant to activities of their personal choice. Group Centre Activities involve structured programs delivered to a small group of participants simultaneously, making them more cost-effective per hour and providing the additional benefit of peer social connection that individual support cannot replicate. Many participants benefit from accessing both supports within their NDIS plan, using group programs for structured social engagement and individual support for more personalised community access activities.
Grace Care maintains appropriate support-to-participant ratios within all group programs to ensure every participant receives adequate individual attention and support throughout each session. Specific ratios depend on the nature of the activity and the support needs of participants within the group. We discuss group size and ratios during the initial consultation to ensure the setting is appropriate for each participant’s needs.
Yes, subject to an initial assessment to determine appropriate program fit. Grace Care’s facilitators are trained to support participants with a range of disability types and support needs within group settings. Where a participant has a behaviour support plan, we implement it consistently throughout group sessions. We discuss individual needs thoroughly during the intake process to ensure the group environment will be safe, positive, and appropriate for the participant and the group as a whole.
Group Centre Activities are funded at a lower per-hour rate than individual supports because the cost of the support worker is shared across multiple participants. This makes group programs an efficient use of Core Supports funding, often allowing participants to access more hours of support within the same budget. Grace Care can review your NDIS plan during an initial consultation and advise on how to incorporate group centre activities most effectively within your available funding.
Grace Care offers flexible attendance options for group centre programs. Participants can attend on a schedule that suits their NDIS plan funding, personal timetable, and energy levels, from one morning per week through to multiple full days. We work with participants and their families to find an attendance pattern that maximises the benefit of the group program without overwhelming the participant or exhausting their NDIS funding unnecessarily.
Call us on 1300 069 338 or email info@grace-care.com.au to enquire about our group centre programs and current availability. We will review the participant’s NDIS plan, discuss their support needs and interests, and arrange a trial session so they can experience the group environment before committing to a regular schedule. Places in our group programs are limited so we encourage families to reach out as early as possible to avoid disappointment.