What family centred practice means
Young children spend most of their time with family, not with therapists. Family centred practice builds on that. It treats parents and carers as the people who know their child best, and as partners in every decision.
The core ideas are simple:
- Your family's priorities, values and culture shape the goals
- Professionals share information openly and in a way you can use
- Decisions are made together, and you choose what support suits your family
- Support builds on the strengths your child and family already have
- Professionals build your confidence and skills, so you can help your child between sessions
What it looks like day to day
In a family centred approach, a therapist might visit you at home, childcare or kinder and work on goals during real routines like meals, bath time, play or getting into the car. Rather than doing therapy while you watch, they show you strategies, try them with you and help you fit them into your day.
Many families have one key worker as their main contact, with other specialists advising in the background. This means fewer appointments and advice that fits together.
Why it is considered best practice
Children learn best through everyday activities with the people they know. When families are confident using strategies throughout the week, a child gets far more practice than a weekly clinic session alone can give. Family centred practice also respects that every family is different, and that support has to work in your real life to be useful.
The NDIS early childhood approach is based on recognised best practice in early childhood intervention, which includes family centred practice, support in natural settings, capacity building, teamwork and inclusion.
Family centred practice in the NDIS Practice Standards
Registered providers of early childhood supports must meet a supplementary module of the NDIS Practice Standards. One of its standards is about the family: the family of each child should receive family centred support that is culturally inclusive.
The module also covers the child, inclusion, collaboration, capacity building, evidence informed practice and an outcome based approach. Unregistered providers do not have to be audited against it, but many follow the same principles.
Questions to ask a provider
- How will our family's priorities shape the goals?
- Will you come to our home, childcare or kinder?
- How will you show us strategies we can use every day?
- Can we have one key worker as our main contact?
- How will we know if things are working, and what happens if they are not?
What is changing for young children
From 1 October 2026, Thriving Kids supports begin rolling out outside the NDIS for children 8 and under with developmental delay or autism and low to moderate support needs. NDIS access for children does not change until 1 January 2028, and children already in the NDIS keep their plans. Whatever the funding source, family centred practice remains the standard to look for.
For providers
Families increasingly expect coaching in natural settings rather than clinic only sessions. Describe your family centred approach clearly in your profile and service agreements, explain how you set goals with families, and show how you measure progress against the outcomes families care about.