How to Choose an NDIS Paediatric Therapy Provider: A Parent Checklist

Written by Bloom Healthcare

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Pediatrics

If you’re choosing an NDIS paediatric therapy provider for your child, it’s worth taking the time to find a team that understands both your goals and the NDIS system. The right provider should make therapy feel supportive, flexible, and family-centred, not confusing or overwhelming. NDIS paediatric therapy services aim to support children in achieving developmental milestones and greater independence.

This checklist walks you through what to ask, what to expect, and how Bloom Healthcare supports families through every stage of a child’s development. NDIS paediatric therapy covers a broad age range, from infancy through adolescence and young adulthood, ensuring services are tailored to each child’s developmental stage.

Understanding the NDIS Early Childhood Approach (0–9)

If your child is under 9 years old, their support usually comes through the NDIS Early Childhood Approach, which can begin from birth for eligible infants and young children. This model focuses on helping children with developmental delay or disability access early, practical supports, such as occupational therapy, speech pathology, and psychology, to build everyday skills.

Early intervention from birth offers significant benefits for infants and young children, supporting improved developmental outcomes and long-term wellbeing.

Early childhood partners work closely with families to create a plan, connect them with the right therapists, and review progress as children grow.

Learn more about Bloom’s Early Childhood Services

For Children Aged 10–17

As children become adolescents, therapy for this age group addresses their unique developmental and healthcare needs, shifting focus from learning foundational skills to building independence, confidence, and participation at home, school, and in the community.

Therapy is tailored to the different ages and developmental stages within the 10–17 range, recognising that decision-making capacities and autonomy evolve as adolescents grow.

Supports might include ongoing therapy, school-based interventions, emotional regulation, and social participation programs.

Explore Bloom’s School-Aged Therapy (10–17)

Provider Credentials: What to Look For

When it comes to your child’s development and wellbeing, choosing a provider with the right credentials is essential. The right expertise ensures your child receives high-quality medical care, tailored early childhood intervention, and support that truly meets their unique needs, whether they are an infant, child, adolescent, or young adult.

What should you look for in a provider?

Specialist Training in Paediatrics: Look for doctors, therapists, or clinicians who have completed formal training in paediatrics, adolescent health, or related fields. This includes qualifications in medicine, occupational therapy, or other allied health disciplines, as well as experience in hospital, clinic, or community settings.
Experience with Developmental Delays and Disabilities: Providers should have a proven track record supporting children and young people with intellectual disabilities, developmental delays, or complex health needs. This experience is vital for delivering the right support and making a positive impact on your child’s life.
Registered NDIS Provider Status: Ensure your provider is registered with the NDIS Commission, which means they meet strict quality and safety standards. This is especially important for families accessing NDIS funding for therapy, treatment, or early childhood approach programs.
Professional Memberships: Membership with organisations like the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) or other relevant professional bodies signals a commitment to best practice, ongoing training, and up-to-date knowledge in paediatrics, emergency medicine, and public health.
Commitment to Research and Best Practice: The best providers stay current with the latest research, evidence-based programs, and public health initiatives. This ensures your child benefits from the most effective therapies and approaches available in Australia.

Why do credentials matter? A provider’s qualifications and experience directly affect the quality of care your child receives. Skilled professionals can identify concerns early, tailor assessments and treatment plans, and work collaboratively with families, carers, and other healthcare professionals. This team approach is essential for supporting your child’s development, building confidence, and helping them reach their full potential.

What else should you consider? Beyond credentials, look for a provider who values open communication, listens to your concerns, and involves you in every step of your child’s care. The right provider will offer guidance, resources, and advocacy, helping you navigate challenges and make informed decisions about your child’s health, development, and future. Family-centred practice is one of the core principles of the national best practice framework, a set of principles that Bloom Healthcare adheres to.

Take action: Don’t hesitate to ask about a provider’s qualifications, experience, and approach to care. Discuss your child’s needs, ask for advice, and ensure you feel confident in their ability to support your family. With the right team, you can access the services, programs, and help your child needs to thrive, at every age and stage of life.

If you’re ready to find a provider who meets these standards, contact a registered NDIS provider today. With the proper support, your child can overcome challenges, develop essential skills, and achieve their goals, now and into the future.

The 8 Questions to Ask Any NDIS Paediatric Provider

1. Are you familiar with the Early Childhood Approach and local partners?

Bloom Healthcare works closely with Early Childhood Partners and understands the NDIS pathways for both age groups (0–9 and 10–17). Providers should help families determine if their child is eligible for NDIS supports. We tailor each plan around your child’s developmental needs, goals, and family context. To begin accessing services, families are encouraged to complete any required referral or enquiry forms.

2. Do you offer a multidisciplinary team and work with schools?

Yes. Our team includes Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists, Physiotherapists, Psychologists, Positive Behaviour Support Practitioners, Dietitians, and Exercise Physiologists. We collaborate with teachers, carers, and families to keep therapy consistent across environments.

3. How do you structure Service Agreements?

We keep things transparent. Our Service Agreements outline session rates, travel, cancellations, and communication processes upfront, in line with the latest NDIS Pricing Arrangements.

4. Can you work with NDIA-managed, plan-managed, and self-managed funding?

Yes. Bloom Healthcare accepts all three types of NDIS funding, and our admin team helps make claiming compliant and straightforward.

5. What are your typical wait times, and do you offer home or school visits?

We know timing matters. Bloom’s wait times vary by location, but we’re continually expanding capacity across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Tasmania, and Western Australia. We provide therapy in homes, schools, community settings and online to make access easier.

6. How do you set goals and report outcomes for plan reassessments?

We use evidence-based, goals-focused therapy. Progress is reviewed regularly, and parents receive clear reports for plan reassessments, written in plain language for the NDIA.

7. How do you communicate progress?

Communication is key. We keep families updated through case notes, progress summaries, and regular check-ins. Therapists take time to explain progress and next steps to families in clear, accessible language. Parent coaching and feedback sessions are built into every program.

8. How do you transition from 0–9 to 10–17 supports?

Transitions can be tricky, but Bloom makes them smooth. We coordinate with your early childhood or school-aged team to ensure goals, reports, and strategies evolve with your child.

Transition planning may also support young adults as they move beyond the 10–17 age group, addressing their unique needs as they enter adulthood.

Core vs Capacity Building Supports for Children

Category	Purpose	Examples
Core Supports	Everyday assistance and participation	Assistance with daily life, community access
Capacity Building	Building skills, independence and development	Therapy supports like OT, Speech, Physio, Psychology

Capacity Building is where most therapy supports sit under the NDIS, helping children gain communication, self-care, motor, and social skills that build long-term independence.

These supports foster independence and confidence in children by nurturing their abilities and encouraging skill development.

Bloom Healthcare vs a Typical Provider

Feature	Bloom Healthcare	Typical Provider
Wait Times	Growing team with expanding regional capacity	Often 3–6 months or longer
Therapy Settings	Home, school, community, online	Usually clinic-based
Disciplines Offered	OT, Speech, Physio, Psychology, PBS, Dietetics, Exercise Physiology	One or two disciplines
Funding Types	NDIA, plan, and self-managed	May limit funding type
Communication	Ongoing updates and parent coaching	Irregular reports
Goal Tracking	Structured and outcome-based	Often informal
Transition Support	Managed between 0–9 and 10–17 pathways	Rarely offered

Bloom Healthcare’s approach has been developed using the latest research and best practices in pediatric care. We are committed to supporting kids at every stage of their development.

Mini Glossary: Key Terms to Know

Early Childhood Partner: Organisations that help families access NDIS supports for children under 9.
Service Agreement: A written plan that explains how supports will be delivered and what they cost.
Plan-Managed / Self-Managed / NDIA-Managed: Different ways your NDIS funding can be managed and claimed.
Capacity Building: Supports that build your child’s skills and independence.
Goals: The outcomes your therapy is working toward.
Reports: Documents your provider gives for NDIS plan reviews or reassessments.
Waitlist: The time you may need to wait before starting therapy.
Provider Travel: The time or cost of a therapist travelling to your home or school.
Intellectual Disability: A condition involving significant limitations in a child’s intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviour, affecting learning and daily life skills. NDIS provides supports for children with intellectual disability.
Physician: A medical doctor who diagnoses and treats illnesses, including paediatricians who specialise in children’s health and development.
Surgeons: Medical specialists trained to perform surgery, including paediatric surgeons who operate on children with specific health needs.
Surgery: A medical procedure involving operative techniques to treat or diagnose conditions. Some children may require surgery as part of their Therapy or treatment plan.
Treat: To provide medical care or therapy to address a child’s health or developmental needs, considering ethical, legal, and family factors.
Child’s: Refers to something belonging to or relating to a child, such as a child’s understanding, decision-making capacity, or autonomy in healthcare and therapy contexts.

Choosing an NDIS paediatric provider isn’t just about finding a therapist, it’s about finding a partner who understands your child, your family, and your goals.

At Bloom Healthcare, we combine clinical expertise with compassion, working alongside you to help your child grow, participate and thrive at home, school, and in the community.