When parents hear “targeted supports”, they often picture a waitlist, a short appointment, and generic advice that does not fit their child.
Thriving Kids is meant to be more practical than that: targeted allied health support built around functional goals that help children participate more easily in day-to-day life at home, school, and in the community.
For parents, caregivers, and referrers trying to work out what extra support a child may need beyond parenting programs, the published Thriving Kids model points toward speech pathology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology, and other supports delivered in ways that match real-life routines rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
The Australian Government has published that targeted supports will be available for children who need additional help beyond parenting supports and programs, and that access will be through functional needs identification and triage arrangements.
It also states targeted supports may include group and one-on-one allied health delivered by trained workers such as occupational therapists, speech pathologists, physiotherapists, audiologists, and psychologists. It notes this may also include low-cost assistive technology, aids or equipment where needed.
This article looks at how those supports can work in practice, including services such as positive behaviour support, dietetics, and paediatrics, and why families are paying close attention: the value is not more advice, but support that improves a child’s wellbeing and participation in everyday environments.
So what does that look like in real life?
What targeted supports for permanent and significant disability can look like, when they work well
Good targeted supports usually share a few qualities.
They start with a clear functional goal. Not a vague “improve skills”, but something that changes day-to-day life.
They involve coaching the adults around the child, not only working with the child in isolation.
They happen in real settings, or at least connect directly back to home, preschool, and school routines. The Government’s model explicitly states supports will predominantly be provided in the environments where children live, learn and play.
They track progress in simple ways.
Four real-world examples of thriving kids services
These are examples of what “targeted support” can look like when it is functional and specific.
1) Communication that reduces frustrationA child understands a lot but cannot communicate needs quickly. The goal is fewer meltdowns at transitions while supporting the child’s development through functional communication. Speech Pathology works on functional communication, while the family and educators use consistent supports so the child can be understood across settings.
2) Regulation and sensory needs that impact participationA child can engage one-to-one, but struggles in group time, noisy spaces, or change. Occupational Therapy focuses on regulation strategies, routines, and environmental adjustments so the child can participate more comfortably in everyday life, not just “cope”.
3) Movement confidence and coordinationA child avoids play because movement feels hard. Physiotherapy supports gross motor skills and confidence in movement, linked to play goals and participation, not just exercises.
4) Transition to schoolThis is where targeted supports can be most valuable. The Government model notes more intensive capacity building may support families of children with developmental delay or autism who have complex needs and need help navigating key transition points like entering school. In practice, that might look like coordinated goals across Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, and school routines, with regular check-ins and peer support for families so the plan stays realistic.
What to look for, as a parent or referrer
If you are offered targeted supports, ask a few simple questions:
- What is the functional goal for the next 8 to 12 weeks?
- How will home and preschool or school be involved?
- What will we do between sessions?
- How will we measure progress?
- Who coordinates if more than one support is involved?
These questions help families get the right support, while aligning with the Government’s published intent that supports are matched to needs and circumstances and delivered in everyday environments.
How Bloom approaches targeted supports for moderate support
Bloom’s focus is practical outcomes. That means support plans that fit everyday life, not just clinic-based activities.
Depending on need, Bloom services may include a range of supports for children with low to moderate support needs:
- Speech Pathology for communication, language, social communication, and feeding support
- Occupational Therapy for regulation, sensory needs, daily living skills, and school readiness
- Psychology/Counselling for anxiety, emotional regulation, and family support
- Physiotherapy for movement, coordination, strength and participation
- Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) for complex behaviour and safety planning
- Dietitian support when nutrition, growth, or restrictive eating is part of the picture
- Paediatrics (0-9 and 10-17) to help families coordinate priorities and goals
If you are unsure what targeted support your child needs, a goal-based intake conversation is often the best first step to determine what support your child may be eligible for.
Referrer notes
If you are referring for targeted supports, include enough detail to inform triage or support matching decisions, including:
- the primary functional impacts
- what has been tried
- key transition points (starting school, moving classrooms, new routine)
- family capacity and stressors
- what “success” would look like in 12 weeks
FAQs and further information
What are “targeted supports” in Thriving Kids? They are supports for children who need more than parenting supports alone, accessed through functional needs identification and triage. The thriving kids program is intended as an early-support pathway that sits alongside changes to NDIS access for some children.
Will allied health be included? The Government model describes group and one-on-one allied health as part of targeted supports. Thriving Kids will begin rollout in October 2026 across Australia, with state agreements for rollout due by February 2026 and targeted supports expected to begin in January 2027.
Will supports be delivered in schools and early learning settings? The model states supports will predominantly be provided where children live, learn and play, including early learning or early childhood education and other community settings.
How will families be matched to supports? The Government describes functional needs identification and triage arrangements, with supports matched to needs and circumstances. This process will also depend on eligibility criteria and updated NDIS access arrangements before full implementation is expected by January 1, 2028.
What should I ask before starting targeted supports? Ask about goals, involvement across settings, and how progress is measured.
How can Bloom help? Bloom can assess functional needs, set goals, and deliver practical allied health support across home, community, and learning environments. Families can also check published information and receive updates as government implementation details change.
Other articles worth reading:
Thriving Kids Australia: What it is, Who it is for, and What starts in October 2026
Thriving Kids vs NDIS for children under 8: what changes, what stays the same, and what to do now
